Deputy Head Librarian in Eastbourne

Brighton College is seeking to appoint a Deputy Head Librarian on a Part‑time, permanent basis. Reporting to: Head Librarian.

Main purpose of the role

To provide strategic and operational support to the Head Librarian in the day‑to‑day running of all areas of the Library, ensuring effective delivery of high‑quality library services and deputising and taking responsibility for its operation in the Head Librarian's absence. The role is anticipated to start in late September 2026.

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Service Delivery and Operations
  • Support the day‑to‑day management of library services, ensuring efficient and user‑focused operations.
  • Oversee circulation, enquiry services, and study space management.
  • Ensure consistent service standards across all service points.
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and service improvements.
  • Act as deputy for the Head Librarian in their absence.
  • Line manage designated library staff as required.
• Collection Development and Resource Management
  • Assist in the procurement, management, and evaluation of physical and digital collections.
  • Take responsibility for cataloguing new stock.
  • Liaise with academic staff to ensure collections meet curriculum and research needs.
  • Monitor usage data and contribute to evidence‑based collection decisions.
• Academic Engagement and User Support
  • Deliver and support information literacy training and library inductions.
  • Provide specialist research support to students and staff.
  • Work collaboratively with academic departments to embed library services into teaching and learning.
  • Promote library services and resources to enhance engagement and usage including running book groups and organising library activities and trips.
• Systems and Digital Services
  • Support the effective use of library management systems and digital platforms.
  • Contribute to the development of digital services and online user support tools.
  • Ensure accurate data management, reporting, and compliance with institutional requirements.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will have experience in the following areas:

• Experience of delivering frontline library services in an academic library or equivalent (Essential).
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal, including the ability to communicate effectively and confidently with a range of people.
• Good time management skills.
• Have an excellent command of the English language (spelling, grammar and punctuation), with a sharp eye for detail.
• The ability to work both alone and in a team.
• Excellent IT skills.
• Ability to deliver high standards of customer service under pressure.
• A polite, friendly and helpful attitude.
• Positive collaboration, with an ability to bring out the best in those around them.
• Experience of line management and staff supervision.

Hours of Work

You will be required to work 30 hours over the following working pattern:

• Monday 9.30am - 6.30pm (8.5 hours)
• Tuesday 8.00am - 5.00pm (8.5 hours)
• Wednesday 2.00pm - 7.00pm (5 hours)
• Thursday 8.00am - 12.00pm (4 hours)
• Friday 8.00am - 12.00pm (4 hours)

You will receive a 30‑minute unpaid lunch break on Monday and Tuesday. This role will work term‑time plus an additional two weeks.

Remuneration

The salary for this role is £22,935 per annum (£38,000 full time equivalent). Holidays holiday entitlement is included in the salary for this role. All holiday is to be taken outside of the working weeks.

Benefits

• Complimentary lunch is provided.
• Free tickets to the College's music, dance and drama performances.
• Job specific Learning and Development programme available to all employees.
• Life Cover is provided whilst working at Brighton College after successfully passing probation period.
• Contributory pension scheme with matching contributions from the employer up to 9%, which all eligible employees will be automatically enrolled into within three months of commencement of employment.
• Employee benefit and discount platform.
• Subsidised gym membership for the School of Science and Sport is available, which includes access to yoga and Pilates classes, meditation sessions and use of the gym and swimming pool.
• Personalised health and wellbeing consultations.
• Generous sickness policy.
• Access to books and magazines from the College Library.

Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities

Brighton College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will be subject to successfully completing pre‑employment checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure, the receipt of satisfactory references, the College's pre‑employment medical questionnaire, relevant original ID documentation and examination certificates. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are spent unless they are protected under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children. The College is committed to ensuring that the recruitment and selection of staff is conducted in a manner that is systematic, efficient and effective and promotes equality of opportunity. Our full equal opportunities policy is available on the Careers page of our website.