Library Experience Manager

About the role

The University of Derby is seeking a Library Experience Manager for our Buxton and Leek Libraries.

The role will be based at our Buxton campus, with the expectation that the successful candidate will travel to our Leek campus once or twice per week as required.

The University Library plays a critical role in the academic experience at our institution, supporting our communities, building confidence and facilitating access to content that underpins learning, teaching and research.

As the Library Experience Manager you will lead the delivery and development of the Library Service at Buxton and Leek. Key responsibilities include delivering a high-quality service to all library users, maintaining a welcoming, inspiring and trusted environment conducive to study and learning. Time will be spent motivating and developing people, to cultivate high performing teams that deliver excellent library service.

You will be a highly organised person, with excellent leadership skills, to take responsibility for the delivery of operations at Buxton and Leek Libraries. You will be committed, flexible and an emotionally intelligent person who can quickly build rapport with people and someone who is enthusiastic about student engagement and learning.

We will support you by providing training with our library systems and current practices, as well as regular contact with the leadership team. Our library teams work together to achieve, trusting and supporting each other. The ability to work collaboratively and inclusively is key to success in this role.

If you are someone who strives for excellence and enjoys challenging yourself and others, please consider applying. For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Kay Jeffries (Library Service Manager) at: k.jeffries@derby.ac.uk

Interview Date: Tuesday 23rd May 2023

Principal accountabilities

This is not a complete list of all duties and responsibilities, the post-holder may be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the level and skills/qualifications of this role.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification
• Ongoing commitment to continuous professional development

Experience

• Demonstrable experience of delivering positive impact
• Experience of successfully leading and implementing service plans and monitoring performance against targets/standards
• Excellent understanding of the student and graduate experience and experience in designing solutions which meet student/client needs
• Experience of marketing services, increasing engagement and making effective use of innovative communication methods, including social media
• Experience implementing IT solutions and effectively engaging technical experts
• Experience of collecting feedback, applying valid and reliable methods to evaluate services and initiatives, and of achieving continuous improvement
• Significant experience of effective liaison and networking, and the building of successful working relationships within institutions and externally
• Demonstrable experience of managing and developing collaborative teams

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• Excellent leadership, management and co-ordination skills
• Commitment to outstanding customer service, inspiring and innovative delivery and continuous quality improvement
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and influencing skills with the ability to liaise effectively at all levels within an institution and externally. Strong negotiation and persuasion skills
• The ability to set appropriate performance measures and targets
• Willingness and flexibility to travel and work between University and external sites in a cost effective and timely manner.
• Ability to be flexible within the working pattern to meet the business needs, including working evenings, weekends or extended hours

Desirable Criteria

Qualifications

• Membership of relevant professional bodies

Experience

• Library skills delivery experience and ability to support learners

Skills, knowledge, and abilities

• Excellent knowledge and understanding of library services and the contribution of academic libraries to student success

• Knowledge and understanding of the quality standards and external requirements relevant to the role, including Office for Students and Higher Education Statistics Agency

Benefits

As well as competitive pay scales, we offer generous holiday entitlement. We also offer opportunities for further salary progression based on performance, and the opportunity to join a contributory pension scheme.