Libraries Manager

Libraries Manager (based at Gateshead Central Library)
Full time 37 hour contract - Regular evening and Saturday working will form part of the working hours of the post.
Enhanced pay is in place for Saturday shifts.

Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might just be the perfect match.

We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time.

We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive.

At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.

The Libraries and Heritage Service at Gateshead Council plays a vital role in supporting learning, wellbeing and community connection across the borough. Our libraries are inclusive, welcoming spaces that enable access to free books and heritage collections, trusted information and digital resources, while promoting reading for pleasure and wellbeing at every stage of life.

Our teams deliver activities across Gateshead in library buildings and community venues, including our well established programme of creative activities for all ages. We work with partners to build use of our facilities and support residents to get the help they need close to home. Our specialist teams work to promote reading for pleasure for all ages, as well as to deliver digital and heritage activities.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, forward-thinking and experienced professional to play a leading role in the management, development and delivery of high-quality Library services. This is an exciting opportunity to shape services that support learning, culture, health and wellbeing, while ensuring they remain relevant, inclusive and responsive to the needs of our communities.

As a Library Manager, you will take an active role in the overall management of Library and Heritage Services, driving service improvement, project delivery and innovation. You will lead specialist areas of work, develop strategic partnerships and ensure that services contribute to wider Council priorities, including community based support, wellbeing and Thrive objectives.

The role requires a proactive leader who can manage people, projects, budgets and resources while maintaining excellent customer service standards across the service.

• Take an active role in the overall management of library services including project management and service development and ensuring a consistently high standard of customer service.
• Work with teams to ensure the development and delivery of library and heritage services meet the needs of specific user groups.
• Manage staff, including providing support, guidance, supervision, development, training and performance management, and to ensure resources are allocated accordingly.
• Lead on the collation and recording of relevant, accurate information and intelligence as required. To carry out robust evaluation of activities to ensure the service is meeting Council priorities.
• Act as the senior on duty for the service, dealing with urgent management requests from all teams.
• Develop new and existing partnerships and…