Senior Data Assistant

Senior Data Assistant – The University of Sheffield Overview

Campaigns and Alumni Relations (CAR) at the University of Sheffield is dedicated to inspiring alumni (former students) and supporters to make donations and volunteer. A gift to the University of Sheffield can change lives, from supporting students in financial need to furthering world‑leading research.

You will be joining a team that helps Sheffield’s graduates and supporters remain connected with the University through effective management of data held in our supporter CRM database. This role underpins all communications with the University’s alumni community and their ability to access a wide range of opportunities and events. It also plays a key role in our reporting, helping to drive data‑driven decision‑making across our programme of engagement and fundraising activities.

We are seeking a data enthusiast with excellent communication and team working skills. Your main focus will be providing carefully selected data to support and deliver an annual programme of publications and activities. You will have strong data handling skills and experience of working with a CRM database. You will understand the importance of data integrity and its relevance to our ongoing engagement with the University’s global alumni community.

Your work to identify the best data criteria will involve collaboration with colleagues across the department. You will be a strong team player and able to understand the needs of users and communicate data in a way they can understand. You will be organised and be more than capable of meeting deadlines and managing a varied workload in a busy office.

• Segment and extract data from CAR’s central supporter database (currently Raiser’s Edge NXT) to support and deliver a programme of alumni engagement and fundraising communications. These include direct mail and digital fundraising appeals, event invitations, digital newsletters and annual hard copy magazines.
• Work closely with colleagues across CAR to ensure we are providing concise and relevant data for communications.
• Support the sending of digital communications using email marketing software (currently Dotdigital).
• Provide data in response to regular and ad‑hoc requests from colleagues within CAR and the wider University.
• Provide support, including extracting data, for regular and ad‑hoc surveys used to benchmark performance.
• Act as the lead contact for advice and support to CAR staff for the building of data queries within the main supporter CRM database.
• Use data management tools to ensure supporter records are updated appropriately.
• Manage and remove data in accordance with GDPR and data retention schedules.
• 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 does not 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.

• Essential: 5 GCSEs at Grade A‑C (including English and Maths) or equivalent
• Essential: Experience using Microsoft Word and Excel
• Essential: Experience of working with a CRM database
• Essential: Strong data manipulation skills
• Essential: High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Essential: Excellent time management and organisational skills. Able to manage competing priorities and plan effectively to meet deadlines.
• Essential: Strong collaborative team working skills
• Essential: Excellent communication skills. Able to convey information both verbally and in writing.
• Essential: Self‑motivated, able to work independently and take the initiative.
• Essential: Ability to learn quickly and to be flexible, recognising and adapting to changing situations.
• Essential: Able to handle sensitive data with integrity and in accordance with data governance regulations.

Grade: 5
Salary: £26,942 per annum with the potential to progress to…