Director of Library and Learning Services

Job Title: Director of Library and Learning Services

Location: Aberdeen, AB10 7GJ

Salary: £73,883 – £101,588 per year.

Job type: Full Time – Permanent. 35 hours a week, hybrid working.

Interviews will be held on: 3^rd July 2023.

Robert Gordon University means dynamic leadership, multiple awards, a stunningly beautiful campus and a well-established reputation as an innovative, friendly and thoroughly modern university.

The Role:

RGU’s library is central to the University. The new Director will be part of the University Management group and will play a key role in enabling the University achieve its strategic ambition by; advancing the teaching and research provision, creating meaningful and creative learning experiences, forging effective and productive relationships with stakeholders and ensuring students (and staff) achieve the highest standard of information literacy.

You will deliver a compelling strategic vision for the library, implement robust financial planning and facilitate and ensure the highest standards of collections stewardship (including the arts and heritage collection), among a range of other responsibilities. An inspirational and strategic leader, you will be personally committed to the University vison, mission and purpose. You will bring extensive leadership and operational management experience in the academic library and collections sector and be an expert in scholarly communication, open access, and digital support services.

Candidate Requirements:

With an in-depth understanding of current issues relating to the Higher Education Sector and Library Services and Collections, you’ll have the ability to plan strategically to address these issues in alignment with the University Strategy. You will be accustomed to working in diverse and innovative workplaces and will have excellent relationship-building, ambassadorial and interpersonal skills, with a track record of successful people management and the ability to motivate and inspire staff.

Duties Include:

• To provide strategic direction for the university library staff to ensure delivery of a high quality, high performance service to staff and students.
• Promoting the centrality of the library’s role, which includes responsibility for the RGU art and heritage collections and the university archive, in providing essential support for the enhancement of research, teaching and learning and the student experience.
• Lead the development and implementation of the Library, RGU Art and Heritage Collections and University Archive Strategic Framework ensuring this reflects university priorities, also changing trends/circumstances in sector.
• Ensuring an affordable and balanced information resource aligned with the programme portfolio and research aspirations.
• Ensure effective management and implementation of projects.
• Deliver best value for RGU through joint procurement of resources via the Scottish Higher Education Digital Library consortium managing risks associated with publisher contracts/ agreement.

Person Specification:

Essential Requirements –

Qualifications & Professional Memberships –

• Educated to degree level or above, holding a relevant qualification.

Knowledge –

• Extensive knowledge of library services and systems.
• Understanding of publishing (national and international), scholarly communication, copyright, licensing and publisher agreements.
• Understanding of HE environment and cultural sectors.

Skills –

• Ability to communicate vision, plans, proposals and business propositions to varied audiences inside and outside the university
• Ability to deliver successful change programmes, including culture change that enhances the efficiency and quality of services to customers
• Ability to deliver quality services by engaging customers and understanding their requirements
• Ability to build and use networks at a UK, national and regional level to deliver an extensive provision and to maximise the use of these collaborations to further teaching, learning and research
• Understanding of publishing (national and international), scholarly communication, copyright, licensing and publisher agreements
• Ability to develop strong working relationships with senior colleagues and foster a collaborative culture through effective team leadership

Experience –

• Significant and proven experience of leading, motivating and developing teams.
• Significant experience in delivering an innovative and customer centred library and information service.
• Experience of budget management, procurement and contract management, including making budget trade-offs that support a customer centred provision

Benefits:

In keeping with RGU’s commitment to work/life balance you will have the opportunity to work from home for a portion of the working week and also benefit from a generous pension scheme, 46 days annual leave (including statutory days) an onsite nursery and sports centre, as well as a range of voluntary health and travel benefits.

Please click APPLY to be redirected to our website to complete an application form.

Candidates with experience or relevant job titles of; Learning Services Director, Library Director, Executive Director, University Director, Education Director, Director of Education, Director of University, may also be considered for this role.