Library Experience Manager

Department

Library and Learner Support

Responsible to

Library Service Manager

Location

Buxton & Leek College (Buxton Campus)

Salary

£34,976 to £37,904 per annum (For exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £48,190 per annum)

Closing date

Monday 8 May 2023

Contract type

Fixed term contract 10/5/24

Post type

Full-time

Reference

0092-23

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

• Take lead responsibility for the planning, development, delivery and continuous improvement of the library operation and services, delivering an outstanding environment for learning, scholarship and research, facilitating an excellent customer-focused experience and engaging all students.

• Be responsible for the management, development and performance of the team.

• Ensure high quality service delivery.

• Establish and maintain standards in line with the library policies and procedures and to realise the philosophy and plans for the wider Library Service.

• Contribute to the development of service standards, performance measures, procedures, processes and evaluation methods for the library service and take responsibility for implementation, review and reporting for the specified library.

• Provide consistently efficient and professional library services, ensuring all users, onsite and online, receive accurate and timely access to services, information and resources and to spaces appropriate to support learning, research and scholarship.

• Contribute to the development of the services, systems, procedures and structures to deliver excellence, including significant growth in engagement in impactful services and use of resources, lead the development of library spaces and showcase the collection in all formats.

• Take the initiative in the management of the library and apply judgement to deliver excellence in service and maintain standards.

• Make effective use of library systems and technology to deliver services and self-service and contribute to the development of systems.

• Develop and manage the implementation of procedures and processes for the delivery of services specific to site or campus needs. Including provision of local information about the wider reception provision, planning and delivery of inductions and workshops, maintenance of library spaces and collection management and reading lists in conjunction with the Academic Liaison and Content and Discovery teams. Collaborate with Library Experience Managers to establish and maintain parity of library user experience and to differentiate services according to site needs.

• Liaise with wider university staff and teams at the campus/site to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the library.

• Maintain and develop meaningful working relationships with the main stakeholders of the site, including academic staff and professional service colleagues.

• Collaborate with Professional Services and manage service delivery and operation in line with the service design for the site, including taking responsibility for delivery of services in accordance with safeguarding policy and practice.

• Promote the resources and services of the library to core audience through a variety of means and collaborate with the Student Engagement Team to contribute to University communications to students.

• Contribute to marketing of the library and take responsibility for raising the profile of the library services at a specified site(s). Showcase scholarship, research and student success.

• Ensure compliance with legislation and regulations relevant to the library, including safeguarding.

• Build professional networks internally and externally and develop expertise in the student learning experience; engagement; library services, resources and systems; value for money and social mobility. Establish and maintain sector knowledge. Share knowledge, encourage new ideas and appropriate response to emerging external requirements.

• Be responsible for the continual review and development of the service and the staff working within it. To be accountable for implementation of plans, achievement of targets and standards and evaluating practice.

• Promote social mobility, equality and diversity for students and staff and sustain an inclusive environment.

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.

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

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.