The Director of Libraries sets the strategic direction of the Department and is ultimately responsible for effective management of a budget of over £14 million, approximately 220 staff, and relationships with University Executive Board members. The role holder is a member of the University’s Education and Student Experience Board, Digital Futures Executive Group, Digital Research Strategy Board, Information Management and Security Steering Committee, and the Registrar’s senior team, among other boards.
The role holder reports directly to the Registrar and is a senior University appointment, as such is required to operate at a strategic level in the Registrar’s Department and the University more widely. The Director will need to proactively liaise with senior officers across the University in relation to library and learning technology services and be able to operate in a transnational environment. Advising the Libraries Senior Management Team on policy and operational issues, the role holder is ultimately responsible for all human, financial and spatial resources of UoN Libraries, alongside the acquisition of information materials, both printed and electronic. In collaboration with the Registrar, PVCs and members of University committees, the Director of Libraries plays a key role in contributing towards University-wide issues and strategic planning and is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and engaging individual to be part of an ambitious and forward-thinking organisation.
Main Responsibilities
Leadership and strategic development
- To provide overall leadership, vision and strategic direction of University of Nottingham Libraries, ensuring that it continually evolves and operates effectively to provide appropriate services to the University community.
- To mobilise and ensure that UoN Libraries responds effectively to University imperatives arising from government or internal pressures and opportunities. This will include strategic programmes of change, particularly in pursuit of the University’s ambitions for excellence in teaching and learning, and the student experience.
- To lead and influence (as appropriate) University strategic development in digital learning and information asset management, contributing to University-wide strategy, planning and management.
- To develop relationships so that UoN Libraries contributes to University’s strategies through active participation in University committees, project management groups, and meetings. The role holder will build visibility and influence with senior colleagues, formally and informally, to ensure that the Department is responsive to the research, learning and teaching needs of the institution.
- To identify and adopt key developments in the field (particularly in relation to digital learning and research innovations) and best practice from other institutions to ensure the continuous improvement in the quality of services in the Department.
People
- To lead, manage and develop staff within UoN Libraries, so that the Department makes a positive contribution to delivery of the University mission and strategy. This includes regular review of the organisational operating model and staff structure and roles, to ensure that the staffing resource is maximised.
- To ensure HR best practice and associated initiatives are applied across the Department.
Finance and sustainability
- To manage the staff and non-staff budgets of the Department (approximately £14 million), including the information materials, library customer services, and learning technology development budgets, ensuring services operate effectively within budget.
- To review services in line with University priorities, ensuring best value for money and making cost savings as required.
- To explore and analyse opportunities for outsourcing, working in partnership with others, and consortial collaboration so that budgets are maximised.
- To seek opportunities and bid for external funding to promote the development of libraries, manuscripts and special collections, and learning technology for the University.
- To sponsor and direct externally-funded projects and activities, and exploit any opportunities for University promotion and reputation gain.
Senior Management Team Leadership
- To lead, manage, motivate and support the UoN Libraries Senior Management Team, creating a high performing, student and researcher focused senior team which is steered and supported to deliver business change and maintain business focus.
- In managing five direct reports: to set and review goals as part of the University professional development and performance review process; to act as escalation point for issues and problems, and to identify and provide training and development needs.
- To steer and support the work of the Deputy Director in building relationships with Senior Leaders across the University, enabling them to deputise at senior University and Faculty Boards and committees, and seek and manage strategic partnerships and any resulting start-up activity.
- As funding permits, to recruit and manage fixed term contract staff and commission and oversee consultancies.
Wider contribution to the University
- To contribute to the overall strategic development and operational management of the Registrar’s Department as part of the Leadership Team to ensure the organisation is positioned to continue to deliver high-quality and joined-up support and services.
- To take responsibility, acting as senior sponsor, director and manager for a number of University projects and programmes both within and outside the UoN Libraries remit operating where necessary across the range of University activities as a senior leader.
- To support any HR processes which require APM7 chairing, representation, or input.
- Wider contribution outside the University.
- To promote and enhance the University by representation on a number of external groups (such as SCONUL and RLUK) and in negotiations with suppliers and partners (such as publishers and the NHS).
Any other duties appropriate to the role and level.