HR Assistant

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

This post offers an excellent opportunity to work in the fast paced HR team. The role is split between the Business Support team and HR Services. You will be part of a small team, providing high level support to members of the HR Executive Team, in particular the diary management and administrative tasks linked to the work of the Associate Directors of HR.

In addition, you will support a range of operational HR processes and projects.

• Proactive and effective diary management for the Associate Directors using Google calendars including prioritising and planning meetings.
• Support the Associate Directors by providing administrative support for meetings and events, including note taking where required and preparing agendas for meetings.
• Assist and action financial processes in the department via requisitioning and purchase ordering and logging appropriate actions on the internal procurement log.
• Departmental Health & Safety Officer, including monitoring and compliance of all mandatory training, ensuring risk assessments are updated, updating action logs, H&S inductions, DSE assessments, departmental H&S updates, and other matters relating to general health and safety compliance.
• Provide extra resources to the HR Services team as the need arises, including during peak times; this will involve processing a high volume of contractual changes via SAP and supporting other administrative tasks as required.
• Be a point of contact within the department for general office environment support and reporting any issues to EFM.
• Answer and respond to telephone calls and emails from internal and external customers.
• Support on ad hoc projects within the department.
• Process interview expenses, visa reimbursements and loan schemes.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

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.

• Experience of working in a fast paced office environment with high levels of organisational and planning skills whilst maintaining a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. (Stage(s) assessed at: Application/interview)
• High level of knowledge and skills in the use of Microsoft Office and Google. (Stage: Application)
• Experience of being responsible for the diary management of an individual(s). (Stage(s) assessed at: Application/interview)
• Ability to manage and prioritise own workload effectively to meet deadlines. (Stage(s) assessed at: Application/interview)
• High level of interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal), with the ability to deal with visitors and enquiries in a friendly and positive manner. (Stage(s) assessed at: Application/interview)
• Experience of building relationships within a team and with associated functions/departments. (Stage(s) assessed at: Application/interview)
• Previous experience of SAP and/or recruitment systems. (Stage(s) assessed at: Application/interview)
• Ability to quickly understand and implement new policies and procedures. (Stage(s) assessed at: Application/interview)
• Knowledge of higher education environment. (Stage: Application)

Grade 4

Part-time (80%)

1 April 2026 - 24 December 2026

Executive Assistant to the Director of HR

n/a

For informal enquiries about this job contact Kerry Hudd, Executive Assistant to the Director of HR: on or on

Further details related to the selection process will be confirmed with shortlisted candidates following the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Jennie Gladwin at

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision:  (opens in new window).

• 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.
• A…