Job Description

Salary

57,530

Location

Edinburgh

This is a permanent

,

full time vacancy that will close in 21 days at 23:59 BST.

The Vacancy
What we are looking for -


We are looking for a permanent, full time Head of HR to lead the National Library of Scotland on areas of Human Resources and Organisational Development. You will manage a small team of HR professionals and work closely with managers across the Library to support best practice in relation to staff management and organisational development.



Due to the efforts of current post holder, who is retiring, there are excellent HR foundations, and you will have the chance to develop these and add your own ideas.



The Library values the skills that HR professionals bring, and the Head of HR is a member of the Library's Leadership Team. You will also advise and report to the Staffing & Remuneration Committee and to the Library Board on HR related matters.



What we can offer you -



The Library is a great place to work, and this is an exciting opportunity for someone who wishes to develop their professional and management skills in an interesting organisation at the heart of Scotland's cultural life.



If you are successful, you will be working for one of Scotland's premier cultural institutions, a library that holds the nation's memory in its vast collections. You'll have the opportunity to work flexibly, where the service allows, and we'll provide you with training and development opportunities. We have generous annual leave and offer a pension scheme. And of course, you'll join a team of great colleagues.



We encourage applications from people who belong to marginalised communities particularly people of colour, those from a working-class background, disabled and LGBTQ+ people.



You can contact Anthony Gillespie (a.gillespie@nls.uk) if you have any questions about the post. The full job description can be found at the bottom of this page.



The closing date for applications is 19 August 2025. Interviews will be held mid to late September 2025.

The National Library of Scotland

The National Library of Scotland preserves the memory of the nation with collections that span the centuries, from the earliest times to the digital age. Our collections document the influence of Scots at home and abroad, while reflecting the ideas and cultures of the world. They cover all aspects of human endeavour in multiple formats, including books, manuscripts, archives, websites, maps, music, moving image and sound.



We support education, research, business and innovation and our work enhances the reputation of Scotland as a country with a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant future. We are committed to providing easy access to our physical and digital collections and delivering services that are open and available to all. It is a place for inspiration, exploration and enjoyment, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.



There are around 320 of us working at the Library who all contribute in different ways, whether welcoming our visitors, planning our events and exhibitions, developing and caring for our collections or looking after our buildings and people.

The Benefits

Flexible Working

Family Friendly

Civil Service Pension Scheme

Health and Wellbeing

Discounts and Free Entry

Generous Annual Leave