Libraries Development Manager

Are you passionate about libraries and eager to champion innovation and excellence across Staffordshire?

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced strategic lead to oversee our Libraries Strategy and the national Universal Library Offers.

Our libraries are an essential service delivering a range of library services to the public including face-to-face customer enquiries, joining new members, helping people to find information and use the internet, delivering events and activities, and delivering other county council services such as processing bus passes and blue badges.

Join Staffordshire Libraries and play a key role in shaping the future of our service!

In this role you'll:

• Work collaboratively with Area Managers, District Managers, the Library Development Team and Community Support Officers and Community Managed Libraries to deliver the Library Strategy and the national Universal Library Offers across our library network.
• Support the Head of Libraries and Communities to foster a strong performance culture within the service.
• Work with the Central Development Team to deliver the library management system, arts offer, digital and ICT offer.
• Manage the bibliographical team and resources budget.
• Work with the Area Managers to plan and coordinate training and development for the library workforce, building a team that is ambitious, courageous and empowered.
• Participate in professional initiatives locally, regionally and nationally, and advocate for the service through contacts within the county council, external partners, the library network and elected members.
• Research and advise on future library trends, including national priorities and policies, to help Staffordshire Libraries build a high-profile reputation for innovation.

You'll have:

• A broad understanding of the libraries offers
• Degree or equivalent level qualification
• Chartered Librarian, professional qualification or significant library experience
• Substantial evidence of effective leadership and building cohesive and motivated teams
• Experience of the design and development of library strategies and policies
• A thorough understanding of libraries and emerging trends within the sector, coupled with financial, commercial and political awareness
• A demonstratable understanding of external funding processes and experience of completing successful funding bids
• Experience of working successfully in partnership with other organisations

Interviews will be held during the week starting 20 April 2026.

Don’t feel you meet all the requirements? We value transferable skills, experiences, and qualifications so consider applying anyway or for an informal chat about the role please contact kerry.hutchings@staffordshire.gov.uk

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.

We are no ordinary county council:

Our Values:

The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.

Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:

We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.

We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.

Our benefits:

We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.

In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire

Our recruitment process:

As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities

As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

As you’ll know safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people/vulnerable adults is important to us and that’s why this position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.