Job Description

The Post

The Library Services Manager is a key role, leading the delivery of a high-quality, customer-focused library service at the heart of the campus. The role holder will be responsible for all aspects of library services including library collections, technologies and operational service delivery. With responsibility for significant library budgets, the Library Services Manager will provide leadership and ensure resources are allocated effectively to support learning, teaching and research priorities across the institution.

Description of Duties

Responsibility for management and delivery of library services for the university: + Overall management of the library building and spaces, and organisation of library's collections, print, digital and archival and of the library space, maximising benefit for all library users
+ Lead, organise and manage the work of the library team to ensure consistent, high-quality, and customer-focused services; delivering front-line services at the university's library help desks, including responding to enquiries, supporting users in accessing physical and digital library resources
Lead the academic liaison librarians to identify the current and future learning and teaching ambitions of each faculty, using this information to plan and deliver appropriate information and library services: + Ensure that research requirements at faculty level are fully understood, liaising with the wider research community to raise awareness of and fully exploit library resources and collections
Develop and deliver an efficient front-line service to staff, researchers and students, working with key stakeholders across the university campus: + Support the management of enquiries through the Unidesk enquiry management system, ensuring a timely response to enquiries received and monitoring associated metrics
+ Support the on-going development of a triage approach to enquiries, by providing support and training to frontline library assistants
Manage, assess and lead on decisions on the acquisition, retention and preservation of collections (including printed, digital and heritage), ensuring that they meet faculty learning, teaching and research priorities. Including the management of the Information Provision budget and the review and promotion of the associated Information Provision Policy: + Work collaboratively with the team of Librarians to ensure that the information provision policies and processes are transparent and aligned with the university strategy
+ Contribute to and support the development and implementation of an evidence-based approach to monitoring the on-going effectiveness and suitability of library resources
+ Budgetary reporting within Information Services, the wider university and to relevant external agencies, e.g. SCONUL
+ Deployment and exploitation of relevant SHEDL/APUC framework agreements

Please see attached for full duties of the role.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

Degree or post-graduate qualification in library or information studies; or a degree in a relevant discipline with significant library experience

Knowledge & Experience

Experience of service management in an academic library environment Demonstrable experience of managing staff, including management of staff rotas,

resource allocation and staff development
Demonstrable knowledge of managing library resources, both in print and digital

formats. Knowledge and/or experience of resource management across a range of disciplines
Demonstrable knowledge and experience of supporting research, including for

example, OA publishing, read & publish arrangements, repositories and REF


compliance, etc
Proven experience of translating user requirements into effective and efficient

support services
Proven experience of managing productive relationships with suppliers and

publishers, and with colleagues in other directorates within the organisation
A current (and evolving) awareness of new technologies and how to apply these

Skills & Attributes

A customer-oriented approach to service design, delivery and evaluation Excellent interpersonal and advocacy skills Highly organised approach to managing services and workload, with the ability to

work calmly and systematically in a busy environment; prioritising work as required in order to meet agreed deadlines
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate appropriately and

effectively with a wide range of stakeholders
Ability to investigate, gather, collate and analyse information Excellent IT skills, including advanced familiarity with common applications and

relevant databases, systems and online services
Demonstrable ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a

team

Desirable Criteria

Qualifications

CILIP Chartership (or Fellowship) or willing to work towards

Knowledge & Experience

Experience of performance management and continuous service improvement A good awareness of the issues facing HE and how learning & teaching support is affected by them Experience or knowledge of issues around archives management and digital preservation

Additional Information

Full time

Open ended



The closing date for applications is midnight on Tuesday 10 February 2026.

Interviews are expected to take place on Friday 20 February 2026.



There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.


This role may be eligible for sponsorship depending on candidate circumstances under SOC code 1259.



The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

Behaviours and Competencies

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

Managing self and personal skills

Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.

Delivering excellent service

Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.

Finding solutions

Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.

Embracing change

Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.

Using resources effectively

Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.

Engaging with the wider context

Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.

Developing self and others

Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.

Working together

Working collaboratively 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.

The University

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe. Driven by our mission to be the difference, we are addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society.



The University has more than 17,500 students globally and employs 1,800 staff, with more than 140 nationalities represented within our community. Our campus environment is ranked first in the UK and top 10 in the world, and our sports facilities rank first in the UK and second in the world (International Student Barometer 2024, wave two), reflecting our long-standing designation as Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence.



We were shortlisted for University of the Year 2024 at the Times Higher Education Awards and are proud holders of a Silver institutional award from the Athena Swan Charter, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We have an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and are ranked top 30 in the UK for postgraduate teaching and learning (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2024). In recognition of our excellence in business education, we are accredited by AACSB International.



Eighty-seven per cent of our research has an outstanding or very considerable impact on society, with more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and we are ranked among the top 100 institutions in the world for our contribution to meeting 10 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. We have twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize; for our Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and our Institute of Aquaculture (2019).



Alongside partners, the University spearheads the 214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal - which will deliver three major University-led projects: the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub, Scotland's International Environment Centre, and the Intergenerational Living Innovation Hub. We are also a central partner in the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.

www.stir.ac.uk

Job Reference: SERV02022