At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage library services, ensuring alignment with academic needs and enhancing student success.
- Company: GBS, a dynamic higher education provider with a focus on vocational and academic excellence.
- Benefits: 25 days annual leave, flexible benefits, tuition reimbursement, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of library services and make a real impact on student learning experiences.
- Qualifications: Professional qualification in Library Science and significant experience in academic library management.
- Other info: Join a culture of collaboration and professional growth with excellent career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Department: Provost
Location: Manchester
Type of Contract: Permanent - Full Time
About Us: GBS is a higher education provider offering a range of sector-relevant courses across ten campuses in London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester. Working in partnership with several of the UK’s leading higher education providers, we deliver vocational, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in finance, accounting, business, construction, tourism, healthcare – and more.
Our Vision: Changing Lives through Education
The Role: The Library Manager provides operational leadership for campus library services, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and academic needs. The role includes overseeing service delivery, managing staffing and resources, liaising with the different library teams and academic departments, and driving continuous improvement across physical and digital provision. They play a key role in shaping service strategy, supporting curriculum integration, and enhancing the library’s contribution to student success and institutional reputation. A key part of the role is leading the collection, analysis, and reporting of library-related data to support evidence-based decision-making, compliance, and service enhancement. This includes maintaining systems for usage monitoring, tracking KPIs, and training staff on data collection processes. The role also requires flexibility, including occasional late evening and weekend work, to meet service needs.
What The Role Involves:
- The Library Manager leads on staff development, performance management, and stakeholder engagement, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and responsiveness.
- Lead and manage the library team, including recruitment, supervision, performance management, and professional development.
- Develop and implement library strategies, policies, and service standards aligned with GBS’s academic priorities.
- Oversee the delivery of frontline services, digital resource access, and user engagement across all library functions.
- Manage library systems and platforms including FOLIO, Moodle, and EDSCO Discovery Service, ensuring integration and optimisation.
- Ensure effective access to academic databases such as CINAHL, ScienceDirect, and others, including licensing and usage monitoring.
- Lead the development and delivery of information literacy programmes and research support services.
- Monitor and evaluate library performance through data analysis, feedback, and benchmarking.
- Manage library budgets, procurement, and resource allocation.
- Lead planning and implementation of library events, campaigns, and outreach initiatives.
- Lead the collection, analysis, and reporting of library usage data, ensuring accurate KPI monitoring and using insights to drive continuous service improvement.
- Rotate between multiple campuses as required to cover absences and staffing issues.
About You:
- Professional qualification in Library and Information Science or equivalent.
- Significant experience in academic library management or leadership.
- Strong knowledge of library systems, digital platforms, and academic databases.
- Proven ability to lead teams and manage change effectively.
- Excellent communication, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Experience in budget management and service evaluation.
Desirable:
- Experience working in a Higher Education library or educational setting.
- Experience with FOLIO, Moodle, and EBSCO platforms.
- Familiarity with subject-specific resources in health, business, or computing.
- Knowledge of inclusive and accessible service design.
- Experience in cross-institutional collaboration or external partnerships.
What We Offer:
- 25 days annual leave, plus 8 public holidays
- 1-day extra leave per year of service, up to a maximum of 5 days
- Workplace pension scheme
- Tuition reimbursement for career development courses
- Flexible Benefits: Cycle to Work, Workplace Nursery, Techscheme and much more
- Perks@Work discounts platform, wellbeing centre and much more
- Reward and recognition programme
- £500 award employee referral scheme
- Discretionary annual performance bonus
GBS is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace free from discrimination or harassment. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities. We take our core values seriously and work hard to create an environment where everyone feels welcomed.
Library Manager in Manchester employer: GBS
Contact Detail:
GBS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Library Manager in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at GBS on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the library manager role and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into GBS’s mission and values. We want to show that we’re not just a good fit for the role, but also for the culture. Tailor our answers to reflect how we align with their vision of changing lives through education.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our leadership skills! Think of examples where we’ve successfully managed teams or projects. We need to highlight our ability to drive continuous improvement and engage stakeholders effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions during the interview! This shows our interest and helps us gauge if GBS is the right place for us. Let’s inquire about their library strategies and how they measure success in their services.
We think you need these skills to ace Library Manager in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Library Manager role. Highlight your experience in academic library management and any relevant qualifications. We want to see how your skills align with our vision of changing lives through education!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our library services. Be sure to mention any specific experiences that relate to the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Library Manager, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've managed teams or projects in the past, and how you foster collaboration and excellence.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at GBS
✨Know Your Library Systems
Familiarise yourself with the library systems mentioned in the job description, like FOLIO and Moodle. Be ready to discuss how you've used these platforms in the past or how you would approach learning them quickly.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or managed change in previous roles. Highlight your experience in staff development and performance management, as this is crucial for the Library Manager position.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Be prepared to talk about your experience with data collection and analysis. Discuss how you've used library-related data to drive improvements and support decision-making in your previous roles.
✨Engage with Their Vision
Understand GBS's vision of 'Changing Lives through Education' and think about how your role as a Library Manager can contribute to this. Be ready to share ideas on enhancing student success and institutional reputation through library services.