About Us

We are seeking an experienced manager to help us realise our vison that ‘communities within Richmond upon Thames will realise their potential through the personal, professional, social, and cultural development opportunities provided by their library service.’

As the successful applicant you will have the opportunity to shape library provision for the future and improve upon Richmond’s already enviable position as one of the highest achieving library services in London.

You will lead the effective delivery of frontline operations, providing leadership to the Community Libraries Managers (CLMs) and their teams. You will ensure service resilience, perform critical evaluations, and implement improvements that deliver the greatest benefits for residents across the borough.   

The role 

 As the Library Service Manager, you will need:

• Experience of delivering excellent customer-focused services
• Effective management of service and staff at a senior level  
• An up-to-date knowledge of HR principles and legal employment requirements  
• Experience of collaborative working in partnerships and developing links with outside agencies, professional bodies and/or commercial organisations to support service development and delivery  
• The ability to positively challenge convention and embrace change  
   
   

36 hour working week, including one Sunday in four and evening working as required. A flexible approach to fulfilling the needs of the service is necessary. You will be based in Richmond but will be required to travel to other libraries and locations as necessary.

Benefits 

In return, we can offer you working arrangements that will enhance your work-life balance.  These include a generous holiday allowance of 32 days plus bank holidays. 

In addition, we offer a range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts at many leisure activities, restaurants, shops, and other establishments. A wide range of developmental opportunities are also offered.

Richmond and Wandsworth are currently reviewing our pay, reward and benefits framework, in partnership with Trade Union colleagues. We are developing different options that make sure we have a fair and transparent system in place.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date:  Sunday 15^th October 2023

Shortlisting Date: w/c Monday 16^th October 2023

Interview Date: w/c 23^rd October 2023

Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and

could be subject to change.

Applicants will need to address the questions on the application form and upload there experience/career history.

The shortlisted applicants will have an opportunity to demonstrate how they meet the skills, knowledge and experience requirements of this role at interview.

Equality Statement 

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer Important. 

This recruitment process will be anonymised. 

Important Information:

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children. It replaces the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils