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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 dynamic, inclusive workplace.
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.
For more information or an informal discussion, please contact: Rochelle Gluyas-Cain, Library Operations Manager. To contact me by email, please click 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: https://emss.org.uk/support.
By applying for this post, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.
Principal Manager employer: Nottingham City Council
Contact Detail:
Nottingham City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Leicestershire County Council and its libraries. Understanding their values and community focus will help you tailor your approach during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events. Building relationships can give you insider info and make you stand out as a candidate.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to management and community engagement. We recommend using the STAR method to structure your answers effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows professionalism and keeps you fresh in their minds.
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 criteria listed in the job description. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to the role!
Showcase Your Management Experience: Since this is a Principal Manager position, it’s crucial to emphasise your management experience. Share specific examples of how you've led teams and improved services in previous roles – we love a good success story!
Communicate Clearly: Use clear and concise language in your application. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon and make your points easy to understand. Remember, first impressions count!
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we get enough applications, so get yours in as soon as you can through our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nottingham City Council
✨Know Your Libraries
Before the interview, make sure you research Leicestershire Libraries and their services. Understand their mission, values, and the specific libraries you'll be managing. This will help you demonstrate your commitment to the role and show that you're genuinely interested in making a positive impact.
✨Showcase Your Management Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed teams or projects. Highlight your ability to lead, support staff, and ensure high-quality service delivery. Be ready to discuss how you handle performance management and development, as this is crucial for the Principal Manager role.
✨Communicate Effectively
Since excellent communication skills are essential, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Think about how you would engage with various stakeholders, including staff, volunteers, and community members. Use specific examples to illustrate your communication style and how it has led to successful outcomes.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Inclusion
Leicestershire County Council values equality, diversity, and inclusion. Be prepared to discuss how you've promoted these principles in your previous roles. Share specific instances where you've fostered an inclusive environment or worked with diverse communities, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
