Overview
The University of Sheffield’s strategy includes a clear focus on student employability, with university-wide objectives to support the development of skills and graduate attributes, the integration of work-related learning in taught programmes, and expanded placement year participation.
The role of an Employability & Placements Support Officer in the faculty employability teams includes supporting these university and faculty objectives, working collaboratively with colleagues in academic Schools, faculties and across the Careers & Employability Service (CES) as appropriate. You will help to support embedding employability in the curriculum, and provide practical and administrative support for the expansion of placement years and work-related learning, including promotion and advice for students and employers.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Provide high quality administrative and organisational support across various activities coordinated by the faculty-facing Employability & Placements Teams.
- Ensure effective delivery of placement year support to students and employers, in line with university policy and guidelines, ensuring records are efficiently maintained, relevant, accurate and up-to-date.
- Support academic Schools in coordination of placement year visits and assessments.
- Deliver workshops and advice to students attending the Employability & Placements Hubs, providing initial information on placements, job searches, CVs, applications, interview preparation etc. and signposting them to further information and support.
- Lead or contribute to the organisation of various employability and placement activities, which may include careers showcases, networking events or site visits, liaising with internal and external stakeholders as appropriate.
- Produce reports and presentations, including financial summaries, relating to placement and employability activities or events.
- Together with colleagues, proactively monitor and review processes and procedures and use feedback to ensure excellent customer service, identifying areas for improvement.
- Act as a point of contact for students, employers and staff, dealing with enquiries in an efficient, friendly and professional manner, interpreting requirements and providing information and advice, signposting to further services as appropriate.
- Maintain and update marketing materials and promote employability and placements activity and opportunities to students, staff and employers via communication channels including webpages, emails and social media.
- Support committees and working groups which may include taking minutes and producing draft agendas.
- Support student recruitment, attending Open Days to promote employability and placement provision to prospective students
- Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Educated to A’ Level standard (or equivalent experience)
Good IT skills, with experience of Microsoft or Google office software, and business use of email
Excellent interpersonal and customer skills with experience of responding efficiently and effectively to queries from varied stakeholders
Ability to manage own workload in liaison with colleagues, to meet planned deadlines as well as accommodating unscheduled tasks
Ability to work independently, addressing issues as they arise, involving senior colleagues as appropriate
Ability to work effectively within a team, developing positive relationships with others and assisting others to achieve objectives.
Be able to exercise confidentiality, tact and discretion, and understand the needs of students and staff from a wide variety of cultures
Excellent event organisation skills, with the ability to manage events and meetings targeting internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to analyse and solve problems with an appreciation of longer term implications
A keen interest in the employability of students and graduates
Further Information
Hybrid, minimum 60% on campus
Faculty Employability Manager
This role does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker sponsorship under the UK Visa & Immigration points-based system. Information on alternative visa options is available on www.gov.uk.
For informal enquiries about this job contact Rachel Bovill, Careers & Employability Manager at
[email protected] Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on 1st October 2026 This will consist of an interview and a short task. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 21st September. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Ann Yeomans on
[email protected]Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().
What we offer
- A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; A range of generous family-friendly policies
- paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
- access to menopause support in the workplace
- paid time off and support for fertility treatment
- and more
We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
