Data Connect Operations Lead

Diversity Dashboard; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

41 days annual leave (pro rata)

Flexible working

Generous pension

Staff discounts

Staff networks

Recognition awards

Professional development

Family‑friendly policies

Job summary

University of Sheffield is seeking a Data Connect Service Manager to lead the Data Connect portfolio, oversee project delivery, and drive agile practices across research data projects. You will manage teams, coordinate across services, and report metrics to governance boards while shaping cross‑organisational workflow with external partners.

The role emphasizes staff development, budget oversight, and strong communication with stakeholders in a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• Experience managing data delivery projects across multiple teams.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and reporting to governance boards.
• Familiarity with agile ceremonies and project planning.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the complete Data Connect portfolio of work, tracking project progress and maintaining clear reporting up to the Head of Service on delivery milestones, risks, and blockers.
• Lead the project management function, providing overarching management of all active projects, data pipelines, and delivery schedules.
• Run agile ceremonies (daily stand-ups, sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives) to turn complex research needs into practical development plans and technical outputs.
• Coordinate the team to ensure project scoping and initial engagement run efficiently, continuously refining processes to improve the user experience for researchers and streamline effort for the team.
• Work with the Head of Service to track, monitor, and report annual KPIs, metrics, and overall service performance to governance boards and senior stakeholders.
• Lead overall team management and recruitment across the service, ensuring appropriate contracts are maintained and staff are onboarded or scaled based on project demand.
• Monitor team workloads and capacity, identifying skills gaps across core delivery staff and matrix-managed specialists.
• Foster a supportive, high-performing team culture, providing line management, professional development, and day-to-day guidance to direct reports.
• Ensure robust financial management across the service, overseeing multi-source project budgets, financial forecasting, and cost tracking to maintain sustainability in a complex funding environment.
• Support and guide the team in producing professional, up-to-date service communications that accurately reflect current activity and achievements across all channels.
• Work alongside the Head of Service to maintain a strong presence across the University, representing Data Connect at key internal meetings, committees, and Communities of Practice (CoP).
• Act as an operational link between Data Connect, the South Yorkshire ICB, and YH SDE, simplifying cross-organisational workflows and aligning dataset development with research needs.

Skills

Agile delivery

Portfolio management

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

University of Sheffield is seeking a Data Connect Service Manager to lead the Data Connect portfolio, oversee project delivery, and drive agile practices across research data projects. You will manage teams, coordinate across services, and report metrics to governance boards while shaping cross‑organisational workflow with external partners.

The role emphasizes staff development, budget oversight, and strong communication with stakeholders in a hybrid work environment.