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INTERNAL ONLY VACANCY. This post is open to existing Leeds City Council employees only. Applications will not be considered from external candidates.
Job title: Strategic Library Manager
Salary: PO6 £51,356 - £54,495
Hours: 14.5 per week
Contract: Temporary – 12 months
Location: Across Leeds Libraries
Are you an experienced manager with a track record of managing teams to develop innovative programmes of activity?
Could you support Leeds Libraries to engage with customers and communities to contribute to the strategic direction of our future library services?
We are looking for a Strategic Library Manager within Leeds Libraries.
As part of the Libraries Strategic Leadership Team, you’ll play an important role in decision-making, as well as contributing to the development and implementation of the Library Service Strategy.
You will work closely with the Deputy Head of Customer Contact (Chief Librarian) and the other Strategic Library Managers (Delivery f/t and Communities p/t) to provide direction for library teams and services.
This role will temporarily (12 months) take over responsibility for a limited number of areas within the Strategic Library Manager (Communities) role; specific areas of responsibility will be allocated to the post based on the successful applicant’s skills and experience. The key areas of responsibility are outlined below:
* Responsible for the development of a responsive community based library service, including the development and strategic management of stock, services and programmes of activity, ensuring the service is fully compliant with its statutory duty and the Universal Offers.
* Lead on the co‑ordination and promotion of all development activity and programming across the service, ensuring the library service delivers a comprehensive offer on all key corporate agendas.
* Lead on the management and development of the School Library Service.
* Responsible for the marketing and communications strategies to ensure a high level of customer engagement with all sections of the community.
* Ensure the creative development of specialist services both in Central Library and across the library network.
* Line management and leadership support for Audience Development, Children and Young People, Community Librarians, Digital, Health and Wellbeing, Reader Development, School Library Service, Support Services.
Within these areas you will build positive and productive external partnerships and support your teams to ensure partnerships are successfully cultivated and linked up at local and city‑wide levels. You’ll champion ideas for continuous improvement, and ensure your teams contribute towards the future planning and development of services across community hubs and libraries.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About You
* Confident, skilled and experienced strategic manager with a proven record of successful management of staff teams.
* Passion for the role of public libraries and ability to advocate for the library service among key strategic partners.
* High level influencing and negotiation skills; able to motivate, persuade and positively influence.
* Proactive in finding solutions to challenging situations involving staff, customers and/or partners.
* Analytical ability to evaluate performance and complex data to plan, develop and continuously improve services.
What We Offer You
* A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
* Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
* Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
* A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
* Range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.
How to apply
Please complete an application form.
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Richard Hart Richard.Hart@leeds.gov.uk.
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to women, carers, veterans, LGBTQ+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care‑experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job Description
Job Purpose
* Provide strategic leadership for Leeds Libraries ensuring the development and delivery of innovative services for the citizens of Leeds.
* Lead the development of and embed the vision and direction of the service and drive momentum for change.
* Manage senior staff and staff teams, lead on policy development, service planning, resource allocation, project and performance management.
* Develop and ensure effective partnership working with a range of stakeholders to keep library offerings relevant and connected to community agendas.
This is a generic job description and you will also be expected to deliver on key service areas detailed below, working with the Strategic Library Manager (Communities).
Service Support
* Lead all major service‑specific procurement exercises and manage contract across the service.
* Responsible for project management of key activities across the service.
* Lead commercial activity, including development of sponsorship and fundraising opportunities.
* Responsible for resource allocation and sound budget management.
* Responsible for the development and implementation of policy and procedure framework.
* Lead business planning across the service, including development of partnerships, business cases and Service Level Agreements.
* Responsible for performance management across the service.
* Lead on customer relationship management.
* Responsible for the management of acquisitions and support teams.
* Ensure compliance with statutory duties, e.g., GDPR and Information Governance, licensing, etc.
Service Delivery
* Lead on and ensure effective communications with Community Hub partners.
* Ensure effective implementation of library refurbishment programmes as part of the wider Community Hub investment programme.
* Provide strategic management for Central Library operations.
* Ensure alignment of workforce planning programme with priority activity and deliver annual training programme.
* Responsible for the service‑wide volunteering programme.
* Ensure effective delivery of core and development programmes of activity across the service.
Service Development
* Responsible for the development of a responsive community‑based library service, including strategic management of stock, services and programmes, ensuring statutory duty compliance.
* Lead on the coordination and promotion of all development activity and programming, ensuring a comprehensive offer on all key corporate agendas (e.g., 100% digital and Child Friendly Leeds).
* Lead on the management and development of the School Library Service.
* Responsible for marketing and communication strategies to secure high customer engagement.
* Ensure creative development of specialist services in Central Library and across the network.
Responsibilities for Grade
* Member of the strategic leadership team for Leeds Libraries.
* Responsible for creative development and delivery of services.
* Budget responsibility for the service, managed per LCC financial procedures and regulations.
* Identify and lead on funding and sponsorship opportunities.
* Lead and manage staff teams, including attendance and performance improvement, disciplinary and grievance issues.
* Lead major projects with excellent project management skills.
* Interpret complex performance information and identify trends to inform future direction.
* Produce strategic documents, reports, policies and briefings.
* Responsible for safeguarding, information governance and data protection.
* Deputise for the Chief Librarian and act as duty manager as required.
* Responsible for health and safety across the service.
* Work within multiple teams and sites; flexible working hours including evenings and weekends as required.
* Carry out duties in accordance with the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy and other customer and colleague respect policies.
* Display resilience in demanding public‑facing situations.
Qualifications
* Degree in Library and Information Science or a relevant field, or substantial senior library management experience.
Skills Required
* Strategic managerial skills with a proven track record.
* High level of influencing and negotiation, ability to motivate and persuade.
* Creative thinking and digital savviness.
* Proactive problem‑solving in challenging situations.
* Prioritisation and decision‑making skills.
* Analytical ability to evaluate complex data.
* Digital skills and IT maximisation for staff and customer service.
Knowledge Required
* Understanding of library role in society and sector initiatives.
* Experience within local authority context.
* Knowledge of trends shaping the sector and key partners.
* Degree/Evidence of senior library management experience.
Experience Required
* Substantial senior public library experience.
* Change management experience and innovative approach.
* Excellent written communication and reporting skills.
* Collaborative experience with internal and external teams.
* Track record of managing complex projects and programmes with strong business models.
* Financial target compliance using management information.
* Impact evaluation and reporting experience.
* Business acumen, funding and sponsorship identification.
* Managing conflicting priorities.
* Developing mutually beneficial partnerships.
Behavioural & Other Characteristics Required
* Adaptable and flexible to changing workloads, locations and hours.
* Fully committed to Leeds City Council values.
* Abide by Council’s Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety policies.
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