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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 and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and a commitment to inclusivity.
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:
- Have NVQ level 4 or equivalent, or demonstrable experience.
- Have management experience of working in a customer-facing environment.
- Have experience of working collaboratively across teams and stakeholders.
- Have knowledge of Health and Safety and GDPR legislation and how to apply to work situations.
- Possess excellent communication skills with a variety of stakeholders.
- Be competent in managing performance and development of teams and individuals to deliver a high-quality service.
- Have the 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.
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 in London employer: Nottingham City Council
Contact Detail:
Nottingham City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Manager in London
✨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 values and recent initiatives. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially around leadership and community engagement. We want to hear how you’ve made a difference in past roles!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Make sure to customise your supporting statement to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. Use specific examples that demonstrate your management skills and ability to work collaboratively, as these are key for the Principal Manager position.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is a must-have for this role, don’t shy away from showcasing your ability to engage with various stakeholders. Use clear and concise language in your application to reflect your communication prowess.
Highlight Your Commitment to Diversity: Leicestershire County Council values diversity and inclusion, so be sure to mention any relevant experiences or initiatives you've been involved in. This will show that you share our commitment to creating an inclusive environment.
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we receive enough applications, so get your application in as soon as possible through our website to ensure you don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nottingham City Council
✨Know Your Libraries
Familiarise yourself with the specific libraries you'll be managing. Understand their unique challenges and strengths, and think about how you can enhance their operations. This will show your commitment and readiness to lead effectively.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Highlight your experience in building relationships with staff and volunteers, as well as how you've fostered a positive environment. This is crucial for the Principal Manager role.
✨Understand Community Needs
Research the communities served by the libraries in your group. Be ready to discuss how you would engage with local stakeholders and adapt services to meet their needs. This shows that you’re proactive and community-focused.
✨Showcase Your Values
Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with those of Leicestershire County Council, especially regarding equality, diversity, and inclusion. Share specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your commitment to these principles.
