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- Tasks: Lead and manage libraries, ensuring they meet community needs and deliver high-quality services.
- Company: Leicestershire County Council, committed to equality, diversity, and community engagement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Management experience, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to inclusion.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and a dynamic, collaborative team.
The predicted salary is between 33900 - 42600 £ per year.
Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: Wigston Library, Bull Head Street, Wigston, Leicestershire LE18 1PA
Worker Category: Hybrid Worker
Salary: £39,939 - £42,699 per annum (pro-rata for part-time)
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 6th February 2026
Interview Date(s): 26th February 2026
Leicestershire Libraries are at the heart of our communities, providing information and advice, activities to improve wellbeing and develop skills, supporting those seeking employment and sharing a love of reading with people of all ages.
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced, proactive and flexible Principal Manager to help lead the effective delivery of 16 County Council funded and 34 Community Managed Libraries, a Prison Library and a mobile library service. Under the leadership of the Library Operations Manager, you will work as part of a team of three Principal Managers, with responsibility for a specific group of libraries (Wigston Base; Market Harborough, Melton, Syston, Wigston, HMP Gartree) and build a strong relationship with your staff team, volunteers, local communities and a wide range of partners.
You will:
- Lead on the day to day management & operation of libraries in your group, ensuring resources are used effectively and standards are met;
- Support staff and service users, building confidence and ensuring our buildings are safe, welcoming and ready to support our service offer;
- Lead on the frontline delivery of campaigns and services in line with the Libraries roadmap through liaison with key staff;
- Be responsible for managing relationships with Community Managed Libraries in your group, including annual reviews;
- Work with internal and external partners to ensure the service is relevant to the needs of our communities.
About You
To apply for this post, you must:
- NVQ level 4 or equivalent, or demonstrable experience
- Management experience of working in a customer facing environment
- Experience of working collaboratively across teams and stakeholders
- Knowledge of Health and Safety and GDPR legislation and how to apply to work situations
- Excellent communication skills with a variety of stakeholders
- Competent in managing performance and development of teams and individuals to deliver a high quality service
- Ability to manage budgets effectively to achieve results
- A full driving licence is essential to this role
You must also have an understanding of, and commitment to, equality, diversity and inclusion. In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our values and will ask you to evidence when you have demonstrated them as part of the selection process. Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability.
Interested in Flexible Working?
We are keen to support employees to balance their working life with other commitments. Therefore, wherever possible, we will consider working arrangements that suit an individual's personal circumstances whilst still meeting the needs of the Council. If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below.
This may include requests for term-time working, part-time hours, compressed hours, flexible start and finish times, home/remote working, etc.
Every role within the Council has a defined working style which determines where they can work. The worker category applicable to this post is detailed in the above advert. You can find out more about our worker categories in the Our Working Styles page on our career site.
For more information or an informal discussion, please contact: Rochelle Gluyas-Cain, Library Operations Manager Email: 0116 305 3086
How to Apply
Leicestershire County Council is an inclusive organisation which is on a journey to embed and celebrate equality, diversity and inclusion at every level. We warmly welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, as having a diverse workforce with different perspectives and ideas is fundamental to our values and enriches the services we offer our communities. We particularly welcome applicants from Ethnically Diverse and LGBTQ Plus communities and people with disabilities to create a balanced workforce and one that reflects the communities we serve.
Applicants with a disability who meet the criteria listed in the 'About You' section above will be offered an interview under the Disability Confident Employer Scheme. To apply for this job, please click on the apply button. You will need to upload a supporting statement as part of your application which explains how you meet the criteria listed in the 'About You' section above. For more information, see the How to Apply section on our career site.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
If you have any technical issues when trying to apply for this post or you want to request an application pack in an alternative format, please contact our Employee Service Centre by telephoning 0300 3030222 (select option 2) or raising a ticket via our online portal.
Principal Manager employer: Leicestershire County Council
Contact Detail:
Leicestershire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the library sector or local community. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about the role and even a recommendation.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Leicestershire Libraries. Understand their services, values, and recent initiatives. This will show you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions. Think about how your experience aligns with the job description, especially around management and community engagement.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Make sure to customise your supporting statement to highlight how your experience aligns with the specific criteria listed in the job description. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to the role!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Principal Manager, you'll be leading teams and managing libraries. Use your application to demonstrate your management experience and how you've successfully led teams in the past. We love seeing real examples!
Communicate Clearly: Excellent communication is key for this role. Ensure your application is clear and concise, showcasing your ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Remember, we’re looking for clarity and professionalism!
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we get enough applications, so get yours in as soon as possible through our website. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leicestershire County Council
✨Know Your Libraries
Familiarise yourself with the specific libraries you'll be managing, including their unique challenges and community needs. This will show your commitment and understanding of the role during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Highlight your experience in managing performance and development, as well as how you’ve built strong relationships with staff and volunteers.
✨Understand the Community
Research the communities served by the libraries in your group. Be ready to discuss how you would engage with local stakeholders and ensure the library services meet their needs effectively.
✨Showcase Your Values
Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with those of Leicestershire County Council, particularly around equality, diversity, and inclusion. Share specific instances where you've demonstrated these values in your previous roles.
