Head of Academic Services

Our Library is one that supports our communities to realise their ambitions by opening up new areas of knowledge & understanding and through fostering applied creative thinking.

At the centre of our approach is a high-quality student experience, outstanding student outcomes and supporting an excellent research environment. With this in mind, our teams deliver against three core strategic themes:

• Community - The original missions of libraries were not about repositories of books or as gatekeepers to knowledge, but about fostering communities of scholars. With that in mind, our focus is on how the Library supports the wide range of communities we have, fostering connection and empowering academic culture.
• Confidence - There is a fundamental role for the Library to ensure all students become confident, independent learners and researchers. We shall support students to develop confidence and applied creative thinking through our academic skills provision and an industry relevant skills offer that enhances performance whilst at university as well as into their chosen future.
• Content - Exploration and access to scholarly content is critical to the process of learning, teaching, research, and knowledge exchange. The Library plays a significant role provisioning scholarly content, working with our academic colleagues and students. We shall work to ensure that relevant content is delivered in a sustainable way and that we leverage technology and metadata expertise that enables our students and academics to explore and access the scholarly record. 

The University of Derby Library is seeking to appoint a Head of Academic Services, a critical role that helps us to deliver conspicuously against the University's purpose and strategic aims.

As Head of Academic Services, you’ll contribute to the leadership and development of the Library, leading strategic direction for the Library’s academic services, supporting research, learning and teaching. You’ll be responsible for the implementation of strategy through operational planning and performance monitoring. You’ll work collaboratively across the University, and as a member of the Library’s Strategic Group you’ll play a key role to ensure the Library’s vision, strategies and service align with the University’s strategic priorities.

To be successful in this role you will be self-motivated and able to work collaboratively with a wide range of colleagues. You’ll leverage your experience in leading academic support services, utilising data, and evidence to inform strategic development, and demonstrate the ability to take a lead in the formulation and implementation of strategic change.

 Key requirements that we are looking for:

• A Level 6 qualification, such as an undergraduate degree, or relevant professional experience
• Experience of leading academic support services within a Higher Education context
• Knowledge of regulatory conditions, policy and practice in Higher Education teaching, learning and academic skills
• Knowledge of emerging trends, policy and practice in the research publication and practice landscape
• A proactive approach to the development of strategy, operational planning and processes, appropriate to the changing needs of the University

1. Lead the strategic development and management of the Library's academic provision, placing strong focus on continuous improvement to align with university priorities.
2. Contribute to the strategic planning, decision-making, and management of the Library, ensuring alignment with University priorities, whilst creating a culture of opportunity, equality, creativity and collaboration for all Library staff.
3. Provide strategic leadership, engage, motivate and develop teams and individuals supporting research, learning and teaching; defining objectives, securing effective performance management and fostering inclusive approaches to service development.
4. Develop and evaluate library services and operational plans, ensuring effective measures and benchmarks are used and that there is alignment with Library and institutional strategic goals.
5. Develop and strategically lead the University’s coordinated approach to academic enhancement and skills.
6. Oversee analysis, interpretation and reporting of data in respect of academic services provision, making recommendations that inform decision-making in support of Library and institutional goals, as well as policy compliance.
7. Maintain an up-to-date understanding of the research and education regulatory and policy environments, leveraging this knowledge to inform the Library’s strategic position and service development.
8. Lead the Library’s strategic support for academic colleagues in their research, learning and teaching endeavours including, but not limited to, open research, publication practice, programme planning, curriculum design and curriculum delivery.
9. Oversee the Library's design and delivery of pathways for nurturing and developing academic knowledge and skillsets amongst the University’s academic and student populations, working collaboratively with university leaders to embed, where appropriate, within institutional academic development opportunities, institutional researcher development opportunities and student curricula.
10. Working collaboratively with university leaders, oversee institution-wide implementation of the University's Resource Lists Policy, monitoring adoption and leveraging support interventions as necessary.
11. Continuously review opportunities in respect of Library contributions that further the University’s civic priorities.
12. Collaborate on reviewing, developing and implementing relevant University Policies and strategies relating to open research, publication practice, academic skills and pedagogical application of scholarly content assets.
13. Contribute towards the evaluation of scholarly content provision, with a particular focus on ensuring value and alignment with the University's research, learning and teaching ambitions, defining allocations for any designated budget effectively.
14. Act as Library strategic lead for the University's Colleges, ensuring effective liaison with College leadership on matters of mutual strategic interest.
15. Lead the delivery of projects aligned to the strategic priorities of the Library.
16. Provide line management to reporting colleagues as appropriate, defining agreed objectives, securing effective performance management and fostering inclusive approaches to service development.
17. Actively promote and support inclusion through operational activities undertaken through the role.
18. Undertake continuous personal and professional development in support of the role.
19. Be flexible with working pattern and in working at different University sites and supporting other library teams, as required.
20. Ensure compliance with relevant University policies and procedures.
21. Act as deputy for the University Librarian when required, representing the Library on relevant Committees and groups and taking decisions as necessary.