University Librarian

Organisation

Cranfield University

School/Department

Student Experience

Based at

Cranfield Campus, Cranfield, Bedfordshire

Hours of work

37 hours per week, normally worked Monday to Friday. Flexible working will be considered.

We are a University with ambitious and distinctive characteristics. Do you share our values and are you ready to join us as our next University Librarian?

Cranfield is proud to be the UK’s only postgraduate University specialising in technology and management, and our world-class expertise, unrivalled industry partnerships and large-scale specialist facilities are creating leaders globally. Our distinctive expertise is in our deep understanding of technology and management and how these work together, to benefit society and the world. 

At this exciting point in our journey, as we embark on the development of a new Corporate Plan which will be designed to raise the ambition and enhance the distinctiveness of our University through our people and our services, we are now seeking to appoint our new University Librarian. This is a fascinating and broad leadership role which is of critical importance to our strategic future as a university and will be instrumental in continuing to support our innovative and unwavering emphasis on student experience.

Each of our four libraries provides a rich collection of specialist resources and services to support students and their academic work. Students benefit from one-to-one support, Study Skills Support, as well as access to a multitude of high quality specialist resources. Crucially, we have never lost sight of the importance of each of Cranfield’s libraries as physical spaces, and their role in students’ overall learning experience.   As our new University Librarian you will bring innovative, creative and entrepreneurial leadership to Cranfield University’s Information provision,  ensuring that we are able to deliver a high quality service to our customers. You will be critical in developing a clear vision and strategy for the University’s Library Service, ensuring this underpins the University’s corporate mission and strategic plan, Education and Research Strategies and engages with the faculty in all the University’s academic Schools. You will also lead on the development of policy related to library provision and information, and will collaborate extensively with senior stakeholders from across the university and foster a culture of inclusion and team working.

If you have demonstrable and proven experience of working at senior level within a higher education, corporate or national Library Service role, and are able to evidence experience of developing innovative solutions related to the core areas of  the role and complex stakeholder management, then we would be immensely interested in hearing from you.

We are an inclusive institution, recognising and valuing the different perspectives that diversity and equitable practice can bring to our working, learning and research community. We therefore welcome and positively encourage expressions of interest from those from Black, Asian and Minoritised Ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+, disability and other protected characteristics.

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. Find out about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here . We are currently piloting hybrid working arrangements until April 2022.  This means the majority of our staff are spending between 40% and 60% of their time working from the office where their roles allow.

For further information please contact our executive search partners, Alumni Harvey Nash. For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Owen Francis, Director or Anita Denton, Principal Researcher on +447725554802. To apply, please email your CV and Cover Letter to Anita Denton, Principal Researcher ([email protected] )