INTERNAL ONLY VACANCY. This post is open to existing Leeds City Council employees only. Applications will not be considered from external candidates.

Job title: Principal Librarian: Service Delivery

Salary: PO2 *GBP*38,626 - *GBP*41,511

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Location: Central Library

Could you manage Leeds Central Library, the cultural cornerstone of the city?

Can you combine forward-thinking vision with managing a busy team day-to-day? Would you thrive on working both proactively and reactively?

Can you inspire and support teams to innovate and improve customer experience?

We are looking for a Principal Librarian for the Service Delivery Team within Leeds Libraries.

Based at Leeds Central Library, with a focus on managing the building, this role is also part of and supported by the Libraries Leadership Team. You play an important role in decision-making and implementation of the Library Strategy across our 37 community hubs and libraries.

You work closely with the Strategic Library Manager to provide direction for the team at Central Library. You will line-manage the Senior Librarian for Programming, who develops partnerships and an exciting annual event programme across the service, as well as the Power House Librarian Managers for Central Library, who manage our most important resource: front line staff.

Supported by the Strategic Library Manager, you will manage the operation of the Grade II* listed Central Library building, ensuring compliance with essential policy and procedure and including being the Designated Premises Supervisor and the Personal License Holder. You will lead by example, champion ideas and motivate your team to deliver exceptional customer service.

Your focus will be the workforce development agenda, developing a coherent programme across Leeds Libraries, to ensure our teams have the skills and knowledge they need to deliver the Library Service Plan. You will also lead on the Leeds Libraries volunteering programme, working closely with Volunteer Team Leeds.

With the ongoing refurbishment programme and innovative projects, such as the Tiny Totley play space at Leeds Central Library, this is an exciting time to join the team.

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

As a Principal Librarian, you will bring to the role:

• You have a clear understanding of, and commitment to, customer service excellence and are able to deal positively with challenging situations, seeking positive resolution and avoiding escalation

• You are able to demonstrate highly developed organisational and decision making skills and evidence attention to detail

• You will have a degree / postgraduate degree in Library and Information Science or a degree in a relevant field and / or are able to evidence extensive experience of public library management at a senior level

• You have significant experience of managing customer facing services in a demanding community environment.

• You have substantial experience of developing and managing cohesive, high performing staff teams

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• 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

• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

Complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role contact Tracy Jardine, Strategic Library Manager email tracy.jardine@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 as well as LGBT+, 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 *GBP*38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

To play a key role in ensuring delivery of the vision for Leeds Libraries. As part of the wider libraries leadership team you will support the Strategic Team in the implementation of the Library Strategy through:

• Providing strong leadership across the service

• Taking a lead role in supporting the business planning process, ensuring that all activities delivered across the service link to the library strategy and make a strong and positive contribution to corporate priorities and the wellbeing of citizens

• Leading and co-ordinating the citywide library support, development and delivery programmes.

This is a generic job description and you will also be expected to deliver on one of the key service areas detailed below:

Service Support:

Providing senior management support for the Strategic Library Manager (service support) in

• Maximising income generation across the service through fundraising, grant applications, sponsorship and commercial opportunities

• Ensuring performance and financial targets are met through effective approaches to performance and budget management

• Maximising the effectiveness of Library procedures through procedural review

• Management of relevant strategic partnerships through development, implementation and monitoring of Service Level Agreements

• Compliance with information governance and legislation eg GDPR

• Compliance with licensing legislation e.g. entertainment license, the music license, tv licensing

OR

Service Delivery:

• Providing senior management support for the Strategic Library Manager (service delivery) in

• Management of operational functions across the service including policy, procedure and health and safety and the day to day management of Central Library

• Staff management including recruitment, staff performance and welfare in accordance with HR policies and procedures

• Alignment and implementation of workforce development programmes with strategic priorities

• Development and delivery of volunteering programmes, including recruitment training and management support for volunteers

OR

Service Development:

• Providing senior management support for the Strategic Library Manager (service development) in

• Leading the development of services and programmes of activity that support the Core Purpose of the service and the national Universal Offers framework

• Leading the development and delivery of specialist services/departments in Central Library, (for example Special Collections, Art and Music) and ensuring that access to these services and resources is available to a consistently high standard across the City through the network of community libraries

Responsibilities

• You will enthuse, inspire and motivate staff, embedding the vision and direction of the service, and supporting the drive and momentum for change.

• You will seek out and share innovation with colleagues and partners, build new relationships and act on new initiatives and opportunities.

• You will coordinate programmes of activity and ensure the effectiveness of publicity to improve and develop audience engagement.

• You will ensure that performance standards and targets and financial targets are met.

• You will ensure a high level of customer satisfaction is maintained.

• You will ensure that staff teams are knowledgeable in their field, well trained to a high standard and skilled to deliver an excellent library service.

• You will have staff management responsibilities including managing attendance, improving performance, disciplinary and grievances.in accordance with HR policies and procedures

• You will support staff through change programmes

• You will work collaboratively across teams both within the service and with partner organisations as well as and at other venues as required

• You will follow LCC financial procedures and regulations

• You will be required to carry out risk assessments and implement safe systems of work.

• You will be responsible for your personal health and safety and that of other people who use the library service. You will be expected to be vigilant for the safety of the building, opening and closing as required. Completing the duties of fire marshall, fire warden and emergency incident officer as assigned. There may be occasions when you are working on your own.

• You will deputise for managers and colleagues as required and carry out the role of duty manager as assigned, commensurate with grade.

• You will be flexible in working hours within your contracted hours and work evenings and weekends as required, including events outside of library opening hours. The work is physical and involves standing, lifting and carrying.

• You will carry out duties in accordance with the Council Equal Opportunities Policy and other policies which respect the rights and needs of customers and colleagues

• This post involves direct work with the public in an open access setting, the post holder will need to display resilience to some demanding situations

• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.

• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.

• Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and appropriate CPD programmes.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.

• Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.

• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person

• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the values, standards, and equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.

• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.

• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Qualifications

• You will have a degree / postgraduate degree in Library and Information Science or a degree in a relevant field and / or are able to evidence extensive experience of public library management at a senior level

Personal Specification

Method of assessment will be through one or more of the following application form, test, interview, and certificate.

Essential requirements

It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

Skills required

• You are able to demonstrate a passion for the role of public libraries and an ability to advocate for the library service among key strategic partners

• You are a skilled and established library leader

• You are a creative thinker able to find solutions as well as contribute to the development of a forward thinking library service

• You are skilled in the development and delivery of innovative, creative and cutting edge library services

• You have a clear understanding of, and commitment to, customer service excellence and are able to deal positively with challenging situations, seeking positive resolution and avoiding escalation

• You have high level communication skills, both written and verbal

• You are able to motivate, persuade and influence in a wide range of situations

• You are able to demonstrate highly developed organisational and decision making skills and evidence attention to detail

• You are able to demonstrate that you are a skilled and highly motivated team player

• You are able to analyse performance and/or complex data and information and respond accordingly

• You will be able to demonstrate an ability to seek out, develop and grow mutually beneficial partnerships

• You have well developed digital skills and an ability to maximise the benefits of IT for both staff and customer service

• Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.

Knowledge required

• You have a detailed knowledge and understanding both of the role libraries play in society and best practice public library sector initiatives

• You have a knowledge and understanding of the trends that will shape our work including the roles of key library partners and organisations (e.g. Arts Council, Libraries Connected)

• You will have a degree / postgraduate degree in Library and Information Science or a degree in a relevant field and / or are able to evidence extensive experience of public library management at a senior level

Experience required

• You have significant experience of managing customer facing services in a demanding community environment.

• You have substantial experience of developing and managing cohesive, high performing staff teams

• You have experience of implementing and supporting staff through complex organisational change programmes

• You are able to evidence an innovative and imaginative approach to service provision

• You have experience of planning and management of projects

• You have substantial experience of matrix management and collaborative working

• You have experience of budget management

• You are able to evidence the impact of services and projects

Behavioural and other Characteristics required

• Committed to continuous improvement.

• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.

• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.

• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge, skills, and continuous professional development
• Understand and embrace our values, behaviours and codes of conduct.

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