Lead Manager

Are you an accomplished library professional ready to move into a senior leadership role?

Are you someone with a proven track record of developing and delivering excellence in library services?

Do you have outstanding leadership skills?

Do you enjoy the challenge of complex problem-solving to secure continuous improvement?

If this sounds like you then you could be the person to join our senior management team, leading the delivery of a high-quality Library Service that is looking to the future, and forming plans to maintain relevance and continue to meet the diverse and changing needs of West Sussex residents.

Salary: £56,713 to £59,946 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full-time (37 hours per week)

Location: Countywide, with a base location in either Power Place (23 Terminus Road, Chichester, PO19 8UJ) Crawley Library (Southgate Ave, Crawley RH10 6HG) or Worthing Library (Richmond Rd, Worthing BN11 1HD).

Interview Date: This will be a two stage interview process. If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to a pre-screening conversation which will take place on 01 February 2024. If successful, you will invited to formal face to face interview which will take place week commencing 05 February 2024.

Our libraries deliver essential community-based support, promoting the benefits of reading for everyone, offering a quality, trusted information service, bridging digital inclusion through supporting safe access to online resources, and curating a programme of events and activities that meet the needs of targeted audiences.

Our library staff and volunteers change people's lives for the better every day, and being part of leading the service offers huge job satisfaction.

You will need to be able to travel independently around the county, including to areas that may not be easily accessible by public transport. Pool cars and pool bikes available.

You can find out more about the work we deliver and the big opportunities ahead of us by downloading the Information Pack provided with this advert.

In this role, you will provide inspirational leadership, vision and energy to drive significant change across multiple areas of the service.

You will report to the Head of Libraries & Heritage and be part of the service senior management team. Your role will include line management of managers leading local library teams and/or discrete areas of the service. You will also work on specific projects and initiatives, on behalf of the senior management team and wider directorate.

Alongside other Lead Managers, you will ensure both service continuity and continual improvement, as well as undertaking forward planning to ensure the continued smooth running of services and the effective implementation of change.

Through joining our motivated, public value-focussed, high performing Library Service, you can enjoy a purposeful career and contribute to the delivery of vital services to West Sussex residents.

For more information on the Key Skills as well as the Qualifications and/or experience required, please refer to the Job Description attached.

We are looking for someone with proven leadership skills and a desire to use these in influencing colleagues, partners and decision-makers, as part of our mission to secure continuous improvement in our Library Service.

You will be faced with complex problems to solve across many domains, all of which will require energy, creativity, agility and a strong drive to achieve change.

You will be able to demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, communicating on several different levels with multiple stakeholders and adapting your style accordingly.

You will have keen attention to detail, be comfortable working independently and be at ease in this fast-paced, agile environment with rapidly changing deadlines, workloads, and priorities.

You will be qualified to a post graduate level or have the equivalent level of significant experience. If you are a proactive leader with excellent communication and pragmatic problem-solving skills, we want to hear from you!

The reference number for this role is CPP00860.

Please download and refer to the Library Service Information Pack which has been prepared to assist prospective applicants.

Does this sound like the opportunity for you? Click apply below, upload your CV and cover letter

Your cover letter should:

• Explain what would you want to achieve in your first year in the role?
• Outline your motivations for applying.
• Explain the skills and experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills in the attached job description).

Please ensure all that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV.

Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.

Please ensure you apply directly through the West Sussex County Council job website: Job search - West Sussex County Council

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to 3 years referencing and a health check.

Equity, inclusion and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.