Head of Library Content and Digital Environment

Buckinghamshire New University; High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A modern university in High Wycombe is seeking a Head of Library Content and Digital Environment to lead the acquisition and management of library resources. The candidate should have experience in delivering excellent customer service and managing projects. Responsibilities include strategic planning and leading a team of library staff to ensure exceptional service delivery. Opportunities for continuous professional development are available.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement (30 days + bank holidays)

Hybrid working opportunities

Training & development support

Contributory pension scheme

Discounted gym membership

Staff discounts with major retailers

Qualifications

• Library or information qualification or equivalent professional experience in an academic library.
• Experience managing staff in a complex environment.
• Experience in operational delivery of library resources and systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Library Content and Digital Environment.
• Manage procurement and management of library resources.
• Contribute to strategic planning and budget oversight.

Skills

Customer experience delivery

Team development

Project management

Budget management

Microsoft tools proficiency

Education

Library or information qualification

Job description

Overview

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.

Benefits

• 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.

Job Description and Responsibilities

• 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
• Contribute to the annual planning cycle, business continuity and development plans and operational plan to deliver the directorate’s objectives, building a culture of continuous improvement with data informed decisions
• Lead and manage services relating to open research, ensuring colleges make the best use of BNU’s resources and advocating for open access practices
• Oversee the procurement of library resources, develop workflows and manage projects to evaluate customer experience and impact of resources and assess cost-effectiveness
• Oversee information resource budget administration, ensuring compliance with financial regulations and providing management information to stakeholders
• Manage supplier relationships and service agreements, monitoring consortia purchases to secure best value
• Ensure continuity of service by managing subscription and maintenance renewals
• Manage and participate in projects across Library and Archives and wider University
• Analyse and evaluate usage data and feedback to drive continual improvement and lead system improvement projects with a customer focus
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders managing key relationships for daily operations and service developments
• Generate and analyse reports to highlight trends and develop solutions focusing on quality, efficiency and customer satisfaction
• Based at the High Wycombe campus with travel to other campuses as required; regular on-campus working is required
• Comply with relevant legislative and other requirements (e.g., Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR; Health and Safety; UKVI; Equality and Diversity)
• Such other duties as reasonably required
• Line management responsibilities including recruitment and selection, performance management, professional development, motivation, health & safety and wellbeing

Person Specification

• Education, Qualifications & Training
• Library or information qualification or equivalent professional experience in an academic library
• Evidence of recent continuing professional development relevant to the post
• Knowledge & Experience
• Delivering an excellent customer experience
• Experience developing staff and empowering teams to drive continuous service improvement
• Experience managing staff in a complex environment
• Experience in the operational delivery of library resources and systems
• Experience administering Copyright and/or resource licensing in UK HE
• Knowledge of open research, scholarly publishing and open access
• Experience managing relationships with staff and stakeholders
• Experience managing projects to improve or implement new services or systems
• Experience managing a budget
• Skills
• Digitally able and proficient in Microsoft tools
• Ability to manage projects delivering customer-focused service or system improvements
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise workloads
• Ability to collate and analyse data to drive decision making
• Future-focused with ability to lead the team adopting innovative approaches
• Problem solving and promoting an inclusive, self-directed culture
• Special Requirements
• Able to work evenings and weekends on a rota basis

Additional Information

Closing Date: 26 October 2025; Interview Date: week beginning 4 November 2025. If successful you will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK. BNU is a Disability Confident employer and supports diverse and inclusive recruitment. We encourage applications from underrepresented groups. Adjustments are available during the recruitment process on request.

Contact

For further information about this role please contact Rachel Scott Halls, Director of Library and Archives: [e-mail].