Cluster Library Manager (Keyworth Cluster)
Hours: 18.5 Hours Per Week
Interview Dates: 25th and 27th March 2026
Closing Date: 10th March 2026
Salary: Hay Band A (£34,433 - £39,152 FTE)
**Once you have submitted your application, please email recruitment@inspireculture.org.uk with your name, vacancy title and application reference so that we can check that your application has been received**
An exciting opportunity has arisen to work 18.5 hours per week Monday – Wednesday (am) in a job-share role of Cluster Library Manager to help develop, manage and deliver excellent library services across Keyworth Library, Ruddington Library, East Leake Library and Sutton Bonington Library.
You will lead a team of staff and volunteers in the provision of a high quality and customer focused library service.
You will be responsible for the management, development and promotion of library services across the Keyworth cluster libraries, and you will work closely with colleagues from across Inspire to support the delivery of learning and cultural events and activities across the group.
You will have excellent team working, motivational abilities, communication and interpersonal skills; you must be able to set and achieve challenging performance targets and will be as committed as we are in helping to deliver excellent customer service every time.
This post covers a wide geographical area in Rushcliffe and use of a car would be an advantage.
For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Jill Barr (District Library Manager) at jill.barr@inspireculture.org.uk / Mobile: 07768 536631 / Tel 0115 804 4330
Job Description
Job Title: Principal Library Manager or Cluster Library Manager
Hay Band A
Job Purpose
To manage, develop and promote libraries and organise, deliver and/or support the full range of Inspire Cultural, Learning, Library and Information Services to customers, ensuring a positive customer experience. To manage a complex, multiuse strategic library building or cluster of library buildings. To support the District Manager in leading services across the district.
Key Responsibilities
1. To engage with customers, providing direct help, support, guidance and high-quality customer service to enable them to fully access and benefit from the full Inspire offer available in the library, or sign-post customers to the relevant Inspire Digital Services or other library venues as needed by the customer.
2. To lead, manage, motivate, organise and coordinate the activities of library staff to deliver a consistent high-quality service within delegated budgets.
3. To create and deliver a library plan to meet agreed performance targets.
4. To manage all support tasks and complete all administrative processes required for the delivery of and to ensure the quality of the Inspire offer and be the Personal License holder (alcohol sales) where needed.
5. To ensure that the Inspire programme of events is delivered professionally within library venues, working positively with all Inspire colleagues to ensure a high-quality customer experience, reporting as required and promoting the offer to existing, new and potential customers within and outside of the library building.
6. To work flexibly across library locations under the direction of District Managers to meet business needs and customer demand.
7. To train and support newly appointed staff, volunteers and participants in work experience programmes to perform their job or role.
8. To assist the District Library Manager as required, contributing to county wide projects and work.
9. Be responsible
(a) for opening, locking up and ensuring the security of the library site as required
(b) for the maintenance and working order of library equipment
(c) for the management of a complex, multiuse building or group of buildings including being NPO or NPC as required, liaising with others using the building where applicable, dealing with contractors and reporting any building and operational problems that cannot be resolved locally to appropriate colleagues
(d) for carrying out keyholder duties as appropriate for library buildings
10. The post holder will work in accordance with all Inspire policies and procedures, Inspire Brand guidelines, contractual requirements, and professional best practice.
11. The post holder will perform any duties or tasks assigned by management required to meet service needs as appropriate to the role.
Education and Knowledge Required for the role
1. Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of excellent customer service.
2. Knowledge of public library services and their aims and objectives
3. A national recognised library or customer service qualification
Skills and Experience
1. Experience of working in and leading a team.
2. Experience of working with the public of all ages.
3. Experience of organising your own work and that of others.
Role Dimensions
1. Management of delegated staffing budget
2. Manage a team of frontline library staff and volunteers - 15-20
3. Management & H&S responsibility of a complex, multi-use building – or group of buildings and delivery of a large programme of professional, high profile events and/or community events including those outside of library opening hours
4. Ensuring good customer services whilst managing multiple priorities and streams of activity, resulting in increased pressure on managerial time and judgement
Inspire Competencies
Customer Service (Competency Level 3)
1. Demonstrates effective customer service skills – in person, online, email or on the phone - identifies and satisfies customer needs, adjusting their style with a friendly and professional approach as appropriate for the customer, respecting confidentiality, equality & diversity and prioritises the customer over tasks where appropriate
2. Responds positively to customer concerns, acts to resolve or reassure customers as needed, agrees solutions with the customer or hands over to an appropriate colleague
3. Responds positively to any complaint or suggestion and seeks to resolve it within limits of their authority or hands over to a more senior manager as appropriate
Deliver the service offer (Competency Level 3)
1. Knows and/or accesses information to advise and promote the Inspire Service Offer to all customers – to meet their immediate needs and other services that could be of interest or benefit them
2. Embraces any changes to the offer and any associated changes to processes or working practices positively, takes responsibility for their own development and engages with and makes the most of development opportunities provided
3. Shares feedback about the Inspire offer with their line manager and contributes to meetings, discussions and related activities to ensure service delivery and/or improve our offer
Communicating well (Competency Level 3)
1. Communicates clearly and effectively in person, on the phone and in writing respectfully and in a style appropriate to the person and situation and uses and engages with Inspire’s online communications
2. Communicates effectively in a meeting or other group situation, respectfully and in a style appropriate to the group and situation with a solutions-based / can-do approach
3. Debates, positively challenges and/or discusses issues with colleagues and line manager, sharing views and acknowledging and respecting the views of others, seeks to reach agreement and respects the final decision made
Working together (Competency Level 3)
1. Adopts a friendly, helpful, supportive and respectful manner when working with others
2. Acts in a way that shows they are trustworthy, reliable and transparent in their dealings with others, respecting privacy and confidentiality as appropriate
3. Forms positive and effective working relationships, makes and implements decisions fairly, using good judgement and with integrity, in line with Inspire values and role modelling Inspire management and leadership behaviours
Managing others (Competency Level 3)
1. Effectively supervises and supports the day-to-day activities of a colleague(s) to enable them to perform their duties, planning and co-ordinating the activity of colleague(s) to deliver tasks or activities over time to meet service demand effectively and efficiently
2. Manages and reviews performance and attendance of individuals effectively, setting goals, agreeing targets, and organises training as needed, tackling poor performance or attendance if required using Inspire policies
3. Manages their team and indirect teams effectively, empowering them to perform well, monitoring group performance against service targets and acting proactively and positively in response to performance data to ensure service delivery targets are met
Leading the way (Competency Level 3)
1. Incorporates the spirit of Inspire’s mission, vision and values in the work they do with customers, colleagues and stakeholders, plays their part in implementing Inspire policies and procedures and management decisions
2. Articulates and shares Inspire’s mission, vision and values to enthuse and focus the efforts of colleagues
3. Contributes to the decision-making process, stands by decisions made and owns them when implementing them
Working efficiently and cost effectively (Competency Level 3)
1. Uses Inspire resources and their time effectively to meet service demand, objectives and/or targets
2. Plans ahead, making best use of time and resources available to achieve service delivery, maximising the use of technology available, minimising unnecessary travel or waste, prioritising work and working within spending limits
3. Resolves competing or conflicting demand for resources and time effectively to meet the needs of themselves, colleagues and customers
Skills and qualifications (Competency Level 4)
1. Newly Qualified or working towards: Diploma or Service Specific qualification or relevant HNC
or
Experienced Qualified (3 years or more): Diploma or Service Specific qualification or relevant HNC
**Once you have submitted your application, please email recruitment@inspireculture.org.uk with your name, vacancy title and application reference so that we can check that your application has been received**
