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Form of work
SalaryAre you passionate about the power of libraries and working to deliver services to Families and vulnerable people?
Do you have outstanding leadership skills?
Are you someone with a proven track record of delivering projects, service development and partnership work for the wider community?
If this sounds like you then you could be the person to join our library service to lead the Families and Wellbeing team!
The Families and Wellbeing team leads key countywide projects for the library service including the Summer Reading Challenge, Bookstart and participation in the national Reading Friends initiative.
The team supports families, older people and vulnerable adults by providing a comprehensive range of stock and curated activities to meet the needs of target audiences as well as a programme of visits and outreach events. Extensive involvement in partnership working enables the service to develop and respond to local and national priorities.
Salary: £45,441 to £48,474 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 short conversation which will take place on 29 January 2024 on Microsoft Teams. You will invited to formal face to face interview which will take place on 30 January 2024.
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.
The Opportunity,
As Team Manager, you will be an expert in the field joining our Key Management Team alongside managers leading all other areas of our service and contributing to the design of the Library Service plan, working with managers across all localities and teams.
You will report to the Lead Manager. Your role will include line management of the Families & Wellbeing Team, managing the team of two principal librarians, team librarians and Bookbus staff, planning and delivering projects to engage and support children, young people, older or vulnerable adults in a library setting.
Alongside your team, you will be responsible for ensuring the library offer integrates with the wider council provision so that libraries continue to meet the needs of our communities. You will lead the forward planning and service development to ensure the continued smooth running of the service and the effective implementation of change.
For more information on the Key Skills as well as the Qualifications and/or experience required, please refer to the Job Description attached.
About You
The ideal candidate will be a passionate advocate for Libraries and the pivotal role they play in the specific audience groups as well as residents.
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 should be a Chartered Librarian or be able to evidence 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!
Rewards and Benefits
Along with a generous holiday entitlement of 30 days plus opportunity to buy additional leave).
Upon joining us you will have access to a range of benefits including the following:
- A excellent local government pension scheme
- A range of flexible working options, depending on your job role
- Maternity, paternity, dependency and adoption leave
- volunteering opportunities
- Training and development opportunities, including coaching and mentoring
- A range of discounts giving our staff access to hundreds of offers; groceries, travel, cinema tickets, days out, leisure activities, high street retailers and the opportunity to save over £1,000 a year through our West Sussex Choices benefits platform (see ourStaff discounts page if you are a business looking to offer a discount)
- Health and Wellbeing benefits including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and Voluntary Health Cash Plans.
Further Information
The reference number for this role is CPP00862.
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 5 years referencing, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check and a health check.
