Pricing and Awards Assistant

Pricing and Awards Assistant Join our Research Operations Pricing Team as a highly organised Pricing and Awards Assistant. In this fast‑paced, customer‑focused role you will be the key contact for academic and professional services staff, providing advice and operational support on research costings, funding applications and award preparation. Your core focus will be ensuring accuracy, compliance and value, guiding submissions on behalf of the University and supporting the smooth administrative setup of successful research awards. Responsibilities Provide expert advice and administrative support for academic and professional services staff on the operational aspect of research costings, applications and awards. Work as part of a small team to ensure cover for enquiries between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, collaborating with team members to allocate workload according to need. Keep up‑to‑date knowledge of funder guidance, ensuring responses to enquiries take account of current funder guidance, University procedures and processes—including the Financial Directives—and follow the agreed team guidance. Use the Costing & Awards Tool (internal system) to administer research costings, applications and handovers. Complete checks and administer approvals for the submission of research projects in line with agreed processes, proactively encouraging budgets to be both accurate and maximised. Submit research applications on behalf of the University in accordance with agreed policies and procedures, ensuring external deadlines are met. Prepare successful research awards in line with agreed procedures; working closely with colleagues to ensure budgets are accurate, all relevant agreements and approvals are in place and all documentation and information is provided to colleagues in Finance. Maintain accurate data on research programmes / schemes and organisations involved in research projects. Create and maintain electronic files and information logs in line with agreed team procedures. Ensure information is filed in a timely and accurate manner. Provide in‑house training to University staff on using the Costing & Awards Tool and external application submission systems. Provide written guidance and web updates for the operational aspects of research costings, applications and awards. Develop and maintain a network of internal peer support with colleagues in other research support teams to facilitate efficient operational processes. Contribute to improve current IT systems, workflow and team procedures. Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post. Qualifications Proven ability to quickly learn and apply new information, with flexibility to adapt knowledge to a range of situations and tasks. Ability to analyse and interpret a wide range of information and data, to provide accurate, insightful advice to colleagues and stakeholders. Customer‑focused and solutions‑oriented, with a track record of resolving problems while considering the specific context and needs of different stakeholders. Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey information clearly and appropriately to different audiences. Ability to exercise sound judgement, identifying when to escalise issues or seek further guidance. Evidence of excellent attention to detail under pressure and in response to tight deadlines. Experience working with budgets or financial information, demonstrating an excellent standard of numeracy and financial awareness. Confidence using systems and databases, with a practical understanding of how to work with digital tools to manage and process information efficiently. Proven ability to work collaboratively within and across teams, contributing to a supportive, high‑performing work environment. A commitment to continuous development both through system improvements and via procedures. An understanding of the research funding environment in higher education, particularly the principles of full economic costing and funder compliance requirements. Benefits A minimum of 35 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. Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role. Commitment to staff development, learning and mentoring schemes integrated with the Professional Services Shared Skills Framework. A range of generous family‑friendly policies, including paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies, support for those going through menopause, paid time off and support for fertility treatment. More details can be found on our benefits page: https://sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits. Baseline personnel security standard: Government BPSS check required. Grade 5 | Permanent | Full‑time. Closing Date : 09 01 2026. We are a Disability Confident Employer. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr