Job Description

Job Title: Head of Library Services

Job Ref: LIB870
Campus: Hendon
Grade: Grade 9
Salary: £54,195 - £62, 418 inclusive of Outer London Weighting
Period: Permanent
Reporting to: Head of Library & Learning Enhancement, Deputy Director
Library and Student Services
Reporting to
Job Holder: Library Liaison Managers (3), Head of Collections, Library and
Learning Spaces Manager

Role Summary

Library and Student Support (LSS) brings together all aspects of generic student support into
a single service. It plays a key role in supporting the University’s teaching, learning and
research, working closely with Faculties and other services to provide both academic, general
and specialist student support to a diverse community of over 20,000 students based in
London, plus other students studying Middlesex programmes. The Director of LSS reports to
the Chief Officer for Students and University Registrar

LSS employs nearly 200 staff divided into three key divisions. The heads of each
directorate report to the Director and together they form the LSS Executive team which works
together to promote dynamic leadership and effective management.

The teams within each division are as follows:

• Library and Learning Enhancement (Library Liaison, Library and Learning

Spaces, Library Collections, Learning Enhancement, Peer Assisted Learning,
Research Information Management, and the Museum of Domestic Design &
Architecture)

• Student Support and Wellbeing (UniHelp i.e. student helpdesk and remote support,
Disability and Dyslexia Support, Counselling & Mental Health, Student Welfare Advice,
International Student Advice, Progression & Support)

• Planning & Admin (LSS Administration and Communications)

Overall Purpose of the Role

The role holder will be responsible for strategic leadership and management of Library
Services, providing a holistic approach to the delivery and management of frontline library
services, collections and information literacies within the Library and Learning Enhancement
team.

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The role holder will deputise for and assist the Head of Library and Learning Enhancement
with the planning, development, leadership and delivery of innovative, high quality, efficient,
professional services ensuring that the service follows best professional practice, meets LSS
and University priorities, is compliant with legislative and other regulations and promotes
integration and collaboration between teams and the wider University, taking the lead on
specific service initiatives particularly those which ensure consistency of practice across
operational managers within the service. The role holder will have responsibility for over 40
members of staff and a budget of over £6 million.

They will also be a senior member of the University who may work independently with
University Senior Managers, the Students’ Union and external partners or organisations, being
accountable and responsible for the delivery of projects, reporting to University committees
and representing the University at external meetings.

Principal Duties

• Responsible for strategic leadership and direction for the Library Services teams
(Library Liaison, Library and Learning Spaces, Library Collections) within Library and
Learning Enhancement:

• Lead, motivate, manage, and develop staff within the Library Services teams.

• Develop strategies for the coordination and future development of library services in
line with sector best practice, changing student needs, advances in technology etc.

• Ensure effective service delivery to students, develop appropriate tools to evaluate

service quality and provide key performance and management data, and ensure
effective oversight of outsourced services and suppliers.

• Ensure that the teams effectively utilise appropriate digital innovations to teach and
support students and administer services.

• Lead on the reshaping of services to enable the teams to build capacity to meet
increasing student demand, develop new services and modes of support and adapt
to the changing academic context and learning framework.

• Build on existing relationships and develop a wider Library Services relationship

management framework with internal stakeholders including staff in Faculties,
personal tutors, Students’ Union officers and others, working to resolve any
significant issues associated with service delivery and to review and develop services
through partnership.

• Determine service priorities when faced with competing demands or resource

constraints, basing decisions on an understanding of service data, University
priorities, compliance requirements, risks etc. and work with staff to deliver activities
in creative and innovative ways.

• Provide expert professional advice and guidance to University committees, LSS

Executive and University Senior Managers as appropriate on the work of the Library
Service teams; prepare external bids for funding and represent the University on
external committees or at external events as appropriate.

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 • Manage budgets, including budget planning and forecasting, to ensure that services
are effective resources and deployed.

• Work closely with the Head of Library and Learning Enhancement on the strategic
and operational development of Library and Learning Enhancement services and
appropriate organisational structures

• Scope, lead and deliver projects related to Library and Learning Enhancement, as
agreed with the Head of Library and Learning Enhancement, ensuring that these
projects meet agreed outcomes within specified deadlines, are aligned with
University aims and objectives and effectively support learning and teaching in
Faculties. This includes liaison with senior colleagues across the University and
delivering reports to University committees or groups.

• Work with colleagues in Faculties, services and/or the Students’ Union to help deliver
cross-University projects, policies, guidance etc. that promote student retention and
success. This may include leading on specific projects, providing specialist advice to
inform University decisions and producing reports for University committees.

• Deputise for the Head of Library and Learning Enhancement as appropriate.

• Participate in external activities and organisations related to library services, where

these benefit Middlesex students and staff.

• Participate in other Library and Student Support activities as a member of the LSS
Leadership Forum, and general University activities (e.g., Welcome) as appropriate.

General Responsibilities (standard to all Middlesex Job Descriptions)

• To undertake such other duties as may be reasonably expected.

• To adhere to the University’s Equal Opportunities policy in all activities, and to

actively promote equality of opportunity wherever possible.

• To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your colleagues, in
accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and relevant directives.

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 PERSON SPECIFICATION

Post Title: Head of Library Services

The essential criteria will be used to assess all potential candidates for this vacancy. The
evidence you provide and the examples you give showing how you meet each of the
essential criteria will be assessed where marked on the person specification, by an (S) for
shortlisting, (I) for the interview, (P) for a presentation and (T) for a test.

Your supporting statement on your application form will be assessed to see how you meet
each of the following criteria.

Essential Requirements:

Education, Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Aptitude

E.1 Postgraduate qualification in library and information science and/or equivalent

demonstrable experience/qualification. (S)

E.2 Significant experience of sustained performance, in providing and supporting

professional library and information services and, preferably in a Higher Education (HE)
environment. (S) & (I)

E.3 A knowledge and understanding of the current issues in HE, and their implications for
library and information services, including an awareness of changing requirements and a
demonstrable responsiveness to user needs. (S), (I) & (P)

E.4 Track record of innovation in library service provision and a focus on meeting student
needs. (S) & (I)

E.5 Ability to think strategically and plan ahead in line with service and University priorities.
(I) & (P)

E.6 Proven ability to lead, develop and motivate teams and to develop effective working
relationships across the university. (S), (I) & (P)

E.7 Excellent organisational skills including the ability to manage projects, work flexibly
under pressure, prioritise, and balance the workloads of yourself and others. (S) & (I)

E.8 Ability to actively manage budgets. Demonstrable financial acumen, able to develop
business cases and cost benefit analyses for new developments. (S) & (I)

E.9 Strong communication, networking, and interpersonal skills. (I) & (P)

E.10 A track record of advancing professional practice in own area of specialism, including
participating in external networks and conferences. (S) & (I)

E.11 A commitment to the University’s Equality and Diversity policy, demonstrating fairness
and respect for others in all aspects of education and employment. (S) & (I)

E.12 Demonstrable commitment to the University’s values and vision. (I) & (P)

E.13 Demonstrable commitment to fairness and the principles of equality and inclusion.

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Desirable

D.1 Relevant management qualification or equivalent relevant professional experience to

demonstrate this ability. (S)

D.2 Qualification in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and/or Fellow/Senior Fellow
status with the HEA. (S)

Hours: 35.5 hours per week, actual daily hours by arrangement

Annual Leave: 30 days per annum plus eight Bank Holidays and seven University days
taken at Christmas (pro rata for part-time staff) which may need to be taken as time off in
lieu.

Flexibility: Please note that given the need for flexibility in order to meet the changing
requirements of the University, the duties and location of this post and the role of the post-
holder may be changed after consultation. The balance of duties may vary over time and will
be reviewed as part of the appraisal process.

MU Services Limited

Middlesex University has established a wholly owned subsidiary, MU Services Limited, to provide
professional services to the University. Staff of MU Services Limited will work alongside
Middlesex University staff and will be employed by MU Services Limited. All University policies
and procedures and the University Professional Services Staff Handbook will apply to MU
Services Limited staff during their employment, unless where expressly stated otherwise.

No Parking at Hendon campus: There are no parking facilities for new staff joining our
Hendon campus, except for Blue Badge holders. If you are applying for a post at our Hendon
Campus, please ensure you can commute without using a car.

Information on public transport to Hendon can be found here:

http://www.mdx.ac.uk/aboutus/Location/hendon/directions/index.aspx

We offer an interest-free season ticket loan, interest-free motorbike loan, and bicycle and
motorbike parking and changing facilities.

Flexible working applications (including part-time working) will be considered.

The postholder should actively follow Middlesex University policies and procedures and
maintain an awareness and observation of Fire and Health & Safety Regulations.

We value diversity and strive to create a fairer, more equitable work environment for
our staff and students.

We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working

arrangements, staff diversity networks, campus facilities and services to support staff
from different backgrounds.

If you wish to apply for this post please complete an application form found here:
www.mdx.ac.uk/jobs

What Happens Next?

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If you wish to discuss the job in further detail, please contact David Clover
d.clover@mdx.ac.uk