1. education

JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Director of Library and Learning Services
Grade: Management
Service: Library and Learning Services
Campus: Docklands and Stratford
Responsible to: Pro Vice-Chancellor Learning, Teaching and Student Engagement
Responsible for: Associate Director LLS, Head of Learning and Language Support and
management of all Library and Learning Services staff
Liaison with: Staff within the service; senior staff in other Schools and Services and
external agencies
Job Purpose
 To be responsible for the strategic development, leadership and management of the
high-quality library and learning services required by our diverse learning, teaching
and research communities. The Director will ensure that LLS plays a full part in
achieving the university’s objectives set out in its Corporate Plan for 2015-20,
aligning service development with key university strategies including those for
learning and teaching and research and knowledge exchange.
 To lead on initiatives that ensure LLS remains dynamic, innovative and relevant, at
the forefront of library and learning services provision in higher education.
 To play an active role in UEL’s leadership team and on major academic committees.
The Director will be expected to contribute to professional matters in the region, at
national level and beyond.
Key tasks
• To lead the strategic planning, management and delivery of library and learning
support services in support of the university strategic objectives and the requirements
of our students and staff, both on and off campus, ensuring that LLS is at the cutting
edge of innovation and service delivery.
•
To define and deliver against high quality standards across the service, including
against the university’s KPIs and external measures such as the National Student
Survey, so that the service is recognised as a positive contributor to success
•
To lead the creative use of technology in LLS, in collaboration with IT Services, to
enhance the reach and impact of the service across the university and externally as a
positive contributor to the university’s success
•
To keep abreast of developments in higher education, scholarly communication,
digital libraries, academic skills support and user needs, implementing best practice
and responding to changing circumstances, ensuring continued service innovation.
•
To maintain close links with academic Schools and staff, working closely and
collaboratively with other professional services to deliver innovative and integrated
services and actively partnering with academic colleagues and students in the pursuit
of research and teaching excellence
•
To promote Library and Learning Services to the whole academic community and
maintain effective routes for receiving feedback from Schools and other users, acting
upon this feedback to continuously enhance the quality and impact of library and
learning services
•
To manage and develop the range and quality of the learning and research spaces in
UEL’s libraries, maintaining outstanding facilities and access arrangements
•
To develop and manage our collections of printed and electronic resources in relation
to the university’s changing portfolio of programmes and research and to changing
customer needs, developing the digital library and comprehensive access to e books,
e journals, databases, data and digital objects
•
To continue to innovate in the use of systems and technologies to deliver leadingedge services and support to both on and off campus users in a cost effective way
•
To deliver an effective programme of academic skills including maths, English
language, academic writing, IT and information literacy training and support for users
at all levels across the university
•
To provide oversight and management of special collections
•
To lead, develop and engage a high performing professional team of staff to be
positive contributors to continuous development and improvement across the service
for the benefit of UEL staff and students
•
To plan and manage the LLS budget, ensuring budgetary balance and control and
the cost-effective use of resources, and pursuing options for income generation and
project funding
•
To ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of all LLS operations and processes so
that the service continues to compare favourably in performance measurement and
benchmarking exercises within the sector
•
To ensure compliance with current legislation for copyright, licenses, information and
data
•
To contribute to the strategic development of the university as a whole through
participation in appropriate groups and Committees
•
To provide professional leadership on library and information management and
associated matters, through active engagement with policy and practitioner networks
in the UK and internationally, acting as an ambassador for UEL
•
To undertake other duties commensurate with the level of the post as the ViceChancellor or his nominee shall from time to time determine
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential criteria
A good first degree
Professional qualification as Chartered Librarian/Information Professional
Desirable criteria
A higher degree
Management qualification
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Essential criteria
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A substantial and proven track record of leading successfully on library and learning
support initiatives
Credible experience of working at a senior level in a university or similar
environment, including managing large budgets and large teams of staff and
effective management of change through structured programmes and projects
Experience of cost effective delivery of systems and technologies to support library
and learning services
Substantial experience of higher education, including familiarity with QAA policy and
procedures and meeting the needs of diverse students and staff
Success in building effective and collaborative working relationships with colleagues
and with internal and external stakeholders
SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Essential criteria
Strategic management, planning and organisational skills, with the ability to translate
objectives into action in a timely fashion
An entrepreneurial and innovative approach to identifying opportunities
Well-developed leadership and people management skills
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
The ability to negotiate effectively
The ability to manage a substantial budget and effective resource management
The ability to develop and promote income generational activities
IT and digital literacy in terms of personal skills and the ability to facilitate the
technological development of the service and staff
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND QUALITIES:
Essential criteria
Commitment to and understanding of equality and diversity issues within a diverse
and multicultural environment