Job Description

Location

High Wycombe

Contract Type

Permanent

Salary Range

44,746 - 56,535

Hours per week

37

Closing Date

26/10/2025

Ref No

1848

Full Time - Permanent - High Wycombe

Salary - 44,746 - 56,535

Buckinghamshire New University is an ambitious, modern university that is always open to fresh ideas and thinking. We believe in the transformative power of education, and in doing the right thing by our students, people and local community. That's why our BNU community is a special place to work and study, and where people who want to make a difference can contribute and succeed.



Our University's DRIVE values and are at the heart of all that we do. We are united in being dynamic, responsible, inclusive, visionary and empowering to ensure that we provide the best experience to our learners and offer excellent service to our partners and to each other as colleagues. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and they are central to our mission.



We're seeking someone future-focused and digitally confident to join Library and Archives as the Head of Library Content and Digital Environment. Leading a newly created team, you will oversee the acquisition and management of physical and digital resources, open access and library systems, ensuring our collections and systems meet the evolving needs of our learning community. You'll lead a team of library staff, empowering them to deliver excellent customer-focused services and championing inclusive practices.

As part of the Library and Archives Management Team, you will contribute to strategic planning, budget oversight, and cross-institutional projects, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.

What we offer:

a generous holiday entitlement (30 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days) Hybrid working (dependent on business needs) training & development support opportunities contributory pension scheme discounted gym membership for our on-site gym a range of staff discounts with major retailers.




Please click here to see our wide range of benefits available for employees.

Please click here for our behavioural based interview question bank.

Please click here to view our employee handbook.



If you have the qualities and attributes representative of the University's values and ambition, we would be delighted to hear from you.



For further information about this role please contact Rachel Scott Halls, Director of Library and Archives: rachel.scotthalls@bnu.ac.uk.



All applications are to be made in full and online.



BNU is proud to have a diverse community and a strong track record of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace and aim to continue building an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in BNU's workforce. These include people from global majority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ people, particularly in more senior roles.



Please let us know if you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process. We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that would enable you to perform to the best of your abilities in your role. Please reach out to the People Team or Rachel, rachel.scotthalls@bnu.ac.uk, if you have any specific needs or if you would like more information on how we can support you.



We ensure that our interview/shortlisting Chairs complete the relevant e-learning and/or inclusive recruitment training.

Closing Date: 26

th

October 2025

Interview Date:

week beginning 4

th

November

2025

If you are successful in securing an interview for the role, you will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.



BNU is a Disability Confident employer and as such you will be given the opportunity to declare a disability as part of the application process. The University is also committed to achieving the Race Equality Charter.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:

Head of Library Content and Digital Environment

Faculty/Directorate:

Library and Archives

Grade:

H

Location:

High Wycombe

Hours:

37

Responsible to:

Director of Library and Archives

Responsible for:

Library Content and Digital Environment Team: Collection Development Librarian; Licensing and Partnerships Librarian; Open Research and Publishing Librarian; Library Engagement Advisors.

Job Purpose:

Committed to excellence in student and staff experience you will lead and manage the Library Content and Digital Environment Team in the acquisition and procurement of online and physical library resources, metadata, and the development of library systems to meet the needs of the institution. You will work on embedding the principles of open research in practice and culture across the institution. You will develop a culture of continual service improvement by empowering the Library Content and Digital Environment Team to deliver a Library and Archives Service that exceeds the expectations of our customers, promoting cross team working and enabling the team to enhance customer experience. With the Library and Archives Management Team you will be responsible for developing and delivering the Directorate's strategic objectives and service standards.



At all times you will practice an inclusive approach and support building an inclusive university community where people can be themselves.

Main Duties & Responsibilities of the role:

Lead, manage and develop the Library Content and Digital Environment to deliver onsite and online library resources and systems that meet the needs of our customers ensuring effective library content procurement and management

As a member of the Library and Archives Management Team lead collaboratively, developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating library collections and systems ensuring excellent customer experience.

As part of the Library and Archives Management Team contribute to the annual planning cycle, business continuity and development plans and operational plan to deliver the strategic objectives of the directorate building a culture of continuous improvement making data informed decisions.

To lead and manage services relating to open research ensuring colleges make the best use of BNU's resources, advocating for open access practices.

Oversee the procurement of library resources, developing and managing associated workflows and managing projects to evaluate the customer experience and impact of library resources and assessing their cost-effectiveness.

Oversee the information resource budget administration ensuring compliance with the University's financial regulations and proactively providing timely and relevant management information to stakeholders across the University and contribute to wider financial planning activities.

Manage supplier relationships and service agreements, monitoring consortia purchase agreements to secure the best value for money for Library and Archives.

Ensuring continuity of service by managing and coordinating subscription and maintenance agreement renewals.

Manage and participate in projects across Library and Archive and within the wider University.

Analyse and evaluate usage data and feedback developing a culture of continual improvement taking the lead on Library and Archives service and system improvement projects with a customer focus.

To work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders managing key relationships for the day-to-day operational activities and service developments, including staff within Digital and Technical Services, Learning Enhancement and Academic Practice, and the Partnerships Office.

To generate and analyse reports to highlight trends and develop solutions with a focus on quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Based at the High Wycombe campus with travel to our other campuses as required. Regular on campus working is required.

Comply with relevant legislative and other requirements (e.g., the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR; Health and Safety; UKVI; and Equality and Diversity) in all working practices.

Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.

Line management responsibilities including recruitment and selection, performance management, professional development, motivation, health & safety and wellbeing.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

A = Application T = Test I = Interview

Education, Qualifications & Training

Means of Testing

Library or information qualification or equivalent professional experience in an academic library


A


Evidence of recent continuing professional development relevant to the post


A/I

Knowledge & Experience

Delivering an excellent customer experience


A/I


Experience developing staff and empowering teams to take a problem solving approach driving continuous service improvement


A/I


Experiences managing or supervising staff working as a team to deliver a positive impact in a complex environment


A/I


Experience in the operational delivery of library resources and systems


A/I


Experience administering Copyright and/or resource licensing agreements and knowledge of the associated issues affecting UK HE


A/I


Knowledge of open research, scholarly publishing and open access


A/T/I


Experience managing relationships with staff and key stakeholders


A/I


Experience manging projects to improve or implement new services or systems


A/I


Experience managing a budget


A/I

Skills

Digitally able and proficient in Microsoft tools


A/I


Ability to manage projects to deliver customer focussed service or system improvements


A/I


Excellent verbal and written communication skills including the ability to present complex information to a range of audiences


A/I


Ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise workloads


A/I


Ability to collate and analyse qualitative and quantitative data to drive decision making and evaluate the impact of interventions


A/T/I


Future focussed with the ability to effectively draw on professional practices, awareness of the sector, established networks to proactively lead the team to develop shared, innovative approaches to work and service design and to evidence their impact


A/I


Problem solving and taking initiative to resolve issues and create an inclusive and self-directed culture


A/I

Special Requirements

Able to work evenings and weekends on a rota basis


A/I

Behavioural INDICATORS

The BNU Behaviours Framework (BBF) is a framework for all University staff that sets out the key behaviours that exemplify the DRIVE values and ethos of the University. The nine categories provide a clear steer on behavioural expectations that will help support a step change in the performance and culture of the University.

The three key behavioural indicators for this post are as follows:

Delivering excellent service

Providing the best quality service to external and internal customers/students/stakeholders. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up customer service standards.

Working together

Working collaboratively and across boundaries with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.

Achieving results

Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.