Head of Library Operations and Collections

This job is for the position of Head of Library Operations and Collections at Canterbury Christ Church University. The role involves providing strategic leadership and direction for the development and delivery of high-quality, user-focused library services, and collections across all campuses. The individual will champion an outstanding experience for students, researchers, and staff, ensuring services and collections are inclusive, accessible, and aligned with institutional priorities.

Key responsibilities include strategic planning and management of the Library Services Department, serving as a key expert in user experience, service design, collection development, and front-line library services, leading cross-departmental and university-wide projects, overseeing areas like collection development, user experience, business continuity, and health & safety, and managing the library’s information resources budget. The role requires leadership, project management, digital literacy, adaptability, and innovation skills.

The individual must have a degree-level education, a qualification in librarianship or substantial experience of working in a library environment, and significant experience of leading the planning, managing, delivering and evaluating user-facing library services and/or library collections. The role requires excellent communication skills, strong analytical skills, and a commitment to continuous improvement of service and skills.

The Head of Library Operations and Collections will report to the University Librarian and supervise the Library Operations Managers and Acquisitions and Collections Manager. The position is based in Canterbury with a 37-hour work week.