Head of Libraries and Communities

We are seeking a dynamic and visionary leader to join us as Head of Libraries and Communities.

Reporting to the Assistant Director for Culture, Rural and Safer Communities, you will provide strategic direction and leadership for our Libraries and Communities Service.

You will be required to work effectively in partnership to transform libraries as community hubs while ensuring that the statutory library offer is high quality, legally compliant, reflective of community need and delivers wider county council outcomes.

You will be based in Stafford with the opportunity to work from home subject to business requirements.

Libraries and Communities are part of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills directorate within the Culture, Rural and Safer Communities service area. Our libraries and community hubs are safe, welcoming spaces that enrich lives and strengthen communities by inspiring creativity, curiosity and connection.

As part of Staffordshire County Council’s statutory library network there are 43 Libraries and 2 Mobile Libraries. 16 libraries are managed and delivered by the county council and 27 libraries are community managed. We also deliver a Prison Library Service which is externally funded. Within Staffordshire, the Libraries and Communities Service is embedded within our Cultural and Communities Strategies, helping people to get more involved and make a local difference.

You will lead the implementation of a new libraries strategy to transform libraries into Community Hubs improving access to local services for Staffordshire residents, encouraging greater engagement with the community offer and enabling community hubs to support the delivery of the county council’s priorities.

You’ll also ensure efficient management of financial budgets and resources and will develop and deliver strategies, policies and effective partnerships to improve outcomes for Staffordshire residents by inspiring and leading high‑performing teams, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and value for money.

Ideally you’ll have a degree or equivalent level qualification and should have extensive experience working in libraries or communities. An MBA or equivalent management qualification/experience is preferred. A Chartered Librarian or relevant postgraduate qualification is desirable.

You should also be able to demonstrate:

• Significant senior leadership experience within a local authority.
• A thorough understanding of public libraries and communities with experience of managing a service area at a strategic level and working at an operational management level.
• Excellent financial, analytical, leadership and communication skills, with the ability to inspire confidence, build effective partnerships and lead teams in times of change.
• Ability to think strategically with a creative and proactive approach to challenges, always operating with integrity and credibility.

We’re happy to talk flexible working.

If this sounds like a good match to your skills, we look forward to hearing from you. In return we can offer you an exciting and diverse role which is rewarded with a competitive salary and benefits package within the high performing and supportive Culture, Rural and Safer Communities team.

We propose holding interviews during weeks starting 2nd or 9th of February.

Don’t feel you meet all the requirements? We value transferable skills, experiences, and qualifications so for an informal chat about the role please contact Catherine Mann, Assistant Director for Culture, Rural and Safer Communities at: catheri

Our Recruitment Process: We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you’ll bring to the role.

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