Mel Scannell

" I’ve worked at the University of Sheffield since 2013, when I moved from a similar post at Kings College London.

I manage the Department’s professional services staff, oversee Department operations including student support, finance, HR and marketing, and hold a key role in the Department’s leadership team, articulating and operationalising strategic plans, and providing wide-ranging support to the Head of Department and other Directors responsible for the development of admissions, learning and teaching and research activities.

The Faculty of Engineering and University of Sheffield is a really great place to work, staff are focused on providing high quality student experience, excellent teaching and undertaking research that meets the world’s challenges. Our staff and students are inspiring in all kinds of ways!

I enjoy the variety of my role, the opportunities to work with academic and professional services colleagues in the Department, at a Faculty level, and to contribute to University-wide initiatives. These have included development of a professional services staff skills framework, improving the experiences of our applicants at visit and admissions day events, development of our taught programmes, exploring ways to increase diversity in Mechanical Engineering, and planning investment in our estate and research environment. Although the department works on an academic cycle, no two days in my job are the same.

In managing a large team, I’ve found that the University provides an excellent range of support to staff dealing with life challenges, including confidential counselling services, networks and groups for staff dealing with issues including cancer and grief, apps to provide menopause support, and specific HR policies on fertility and caring. As part of a Department-wide initiative for line managers, I’ve also recently trained to become a mental health first aider and I value the investment the University has made in supporting staff and student wellbeing. "