Job Title:Senior Librarian (Research Support)

Recruitment Role Profile Form

School/Department: Libraries, Research and Learning Resources (LRLR) –Research and Learning Services

Job family & level:Administrative, Professional and Managerial, Level 5

Salary: £36,661 - £45,053 per annum, depending on skills and experience. Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to performance

Contract Status: Permanent

Hours of Work:Full time

Location:tbc

Reporting to: Associate Director LRLR, Research and Learning Services

Purpose of the Role:

The Senior Librarian (Research Support) will scope and develop a research support services framework and associated specialist services. The post holder will lead the LRLR Research Support team, providing effective and efficient services to researchers in support of the University’s research goals and activities, working in collaboration with Senior Faculty Librarians in the Research and Learning Services team, with colleagues in the wider LRLR, and in partnership with the University Research and Graduate Services (RGS). The Senior Librarian (Research Support) will develop the team, building expert competencies and managing the available resources to best effect. With Senior Faculty Librarians, the Senior Librarian (Research Support) will support and enable the promotion of the Library and its services to researchers.

The role holder will work closely with the Collections Management Digital Library Support team, providing direction on the use and development of research outputs and research repository systems to facilitate the capture of data, and deposits of full text content at the University of Nottingham. The Senior Librarian (Research Support) will also manage strategic development projects and be part of project teams in order make a demonstrable contribution to LRLR service development as a whole.

Main Responsibilities / % time per year
1 / Design and developa research support services framework
Consider findings of market research into research support needs, benchmarking information, recent studies, and commission further research as required in order to inform the scope for research support development. In addition, with Senior Faculty Librarians and RGS, identify and analyse School and Faculty research aims and initiatives and define a research support services frameworkwhich is aligned with University goals. Once established the framework will be subject to review so that it remains aligned to Research Board priorities. / 10%
2 / Strategic alignment and ongoing service development
Identify and analyse University research strategy and initiatives, maintain awareness of research council and funder requirement, to work with LRLR colleagues to deliver alignment between LRLR services and University priorities. Establish and maintain ways of working to deliver strategic alignment and value for money service development, specifically:

work with the research community to identify, define and analyse opportunities for library service enhancements and contribute to prioritisation within LRLR
be proactive in identifying and sharing intelligence on international campus opportunities and challenges
with the LRLR Strategy and Planning Section, work with researchers to understand needs and preferences, and ensure that this informs service development and support services
support the work of the LRLR Strategy and Planning Section in gathering feedback from researcher stakeholders to inform service quality management and appropriate service levels
support the work of the Collections Management Section to ensure collections are aligned to research priorities and that collections initiatives balance value for money with these priorities
support the work of the Customer Services Sections to ensure that services balance value for money with the expectations of researchers
support the work of the Strategy and Planning Section, so that library building projects are informed by research stakeholder needs.

/ 10%
3 / Delivery of specialist research support services (i.e. the portfolio)
Subject to the development of the research support framework the role holder will lead the development and delivery of the following specific activities and services:
Repositories and Open Access

promote efficient workflows to support the increasing demands of Open Access policies from funder and institutional mandates and also the requirements of REF 2020 (with RGS)
with institutional stakeholders, Senior Faculty Librarians and the Digital Library Support Team provide direction on the use and development of research outputs and research repository systems to facilitate the capture of quality data, and deposits of full text content at The University of Nottingham
understand and champion the needs of researchers in the development of the research repository services
monitor and report on developments in scholarly communication, open access, institutional repositories and related legislative initiatives, with Senior Faculty Librarians promote developments to Faculties and influence repository system developments
explore research data management (RDM) requirements in collaboration with institutional stakeholders and coordinate LRLR input into RDM projects and initiatives

Training and skills development

develop and deliver high level information-related training e.g. copyright in the digital age, integrated within RGS research training programmes and targeting PGRs and early career researchers
develop Research Support web pages outlining library services and ensure accurate information on related University communication channels
in partnership with Information Services, Faculties and Schools and research groups explore and develop specialist support services for data mining and digital humanities

Impact and dissemination

develop the LRLR contribution to the analysis of the research base at Nottingham, including bibliometric analysis of impact and maximising citations
provide tailored information services to researchers and research groups, assisting them in keeping up-to date with the literature, undertaking systematic searches and supporting them in their utilisation of tools for collaboration and dissemination e.g. Mendeley
collaborate with the Digital Library Support team in the design and implementation of online tools in support of research; promote the use in collaboration with Senior Faculty Librarians

Research collections strategy

work with Research Board and LRLR Collections Management to develop a research support strategy that delivers more agile and targeted access to research materials, and continue to pursue national and regional initiatives to maximise the purchasing power of the journal budget

Support the REF (or equivalent research assessment exercises)

co-ordinate LRLR support to the University community in preparing for and gathering information in support of the REF (or equivalent research assessment exercises).

/ 40%
4 / Staff management and leadership
Leadthe team’s activities and making strategic decisions to ensure that short and long term objectives are achieved, namely:

that resources are available in a timely and appropriate manner
resolving problems associated with staffing levels in order to maintain an efficient service and to optimise the use of available resources
mentoring and training staff to ensure that they enhance their existing skills and knowledge of services and technologies
selecting and recruiting staff as required
performance management, including implementation of the University’s Activity and Performance Review scheme including development of individual and team training plans
take responsibility for health and safety within the group and general welfare issues in connection with personnel.

/ 15%
5 / Working across Department
To contribute to the development of Research and Learning Services and LRLR strategy, communication and engagement:

to actively participate in the Research and Learning Services Section team in order to facilitate management of, and communication within, the Section
to liaise with colleagues throughout LRLR, to maintain awareness of potential developments
to liaise with colleagues at the international campuses, to share information about and maintain awareness of potential developments
to propose, manage and/or participate in LRLR projects to enhance the service
network with colleagues in other HE or external organizations to explore engagement opportunities in order to generate mutually supportive partnerships
presentation of written or oral reports on projects and initiatives
representthe Team/Section on LRLR/University working/collaborative groups and at national conference, committees, etc. and develop good working partnerships with them
seek internal and external funding sources for development and innovation.

/ 10%
6 / Project and Programme Management
Proactively work with LRLR Senior Management Team, to agree the scope and shape of strategic development projects and programmes. Provide project leadership and programme management including management of project team members and the initiation, co-ordination and activity management to successful delivery. This will include management of all aspects of the project and programme lifecycle including planning, delivery, benefits realisation and closure. Tasks will include the following:

Facilitating agreement with senior management of project scope, goals, deliverables and success criteria
Compiling the business case and securing funding
Design, planning, and delivering the programme/projects, including the portfolio of projects, the programme plans, the programme governance framework, and resource and quality management, employing appropriate methodologies (e.g. MSP) and project tools (e.g.MS project, Sharepoint)
Co-ordinating the activity of internal and external project/work stream leads
Management of the programme and programme team/s; including creating and maintaining momentum and proactively monitoring progress, and identifying and negotiating use of internal resources and recruiting external resources
Line management of external contract resources
Monitoring and reporting
Benefits management
Initiation and management of project/programme meetings
Development of milestone and operational project plans for team and project board/stakeholders
Identification of project risks/issues and the creation of appropriate mitigation plans and/or escalation actions
Management of the budgets to agreed tolerances

/ 10%
7 / Other
To actively keep up to date and pursue a programme of personal development, including the development of specialist skills where required.
Any other duties appropriate to the level and role. / 5%

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications/ Education /

First Degree
Postgraduate qualification

PhD (or equivalent)
CILIP-accredited qualification in Librarianship or Information Management
Formal qualification in project management (PRINCE 2, APM etc) or equivalent
Qualification in programme management (MSP or equivalent)

Knowledge/Skills/ Training /

Knowledge and understanding of academic library services within a large research-led university
Building and managing relationships with researchers in Higher Education
Knowledge of scholarly communication practice
Knowledge of research methods, lifecycles and practices
Knowledge of citation analysis and bibliometrics
High levels of digital literacy
Ability to work in a team environment, supporting colleagues and sharing expertise
Ability to work to deadlines and deal with unforeseen issues and changing circumstances
Organisational, planning, prioritisation and project management skills
Ability to contribute to strategic planning
Proven communication and interpersonal skills
Proven leadership and motivational skills

Working with research stakeholders in HE to develop library services and support in line with their needs
Knowledge and awareness of recent developments in the field of Higher Education, in particular Open Access
Understanding and experience of the use of, and requirements for, information resources by researchers

Experience /

Experience of service development
Experience of staff management
Demonstrable/proven project management skills
Experience of working with colleagues from a range of professional backgrounds, including IT specialists
Experience of high level influencing and negotiation
Experience of working across organisational boundaries

Demonstrable experience of working with researchers in HE to promote and support library services
Experience of managing change
Demonstrable ability to identify new opportunities and creative solutions
Experience of leading/motivating project teams
Experience of project recovery – i.e. ability to analyse, trouble-shoot, and problem-solve

Other /

Critical thinking and problem solving skills
Enthusiastic and proactive ‘can do’ approach
Team player and willingness to be flexible and adaptable, to both audience and priorities
Ability to prioritise work under pressure
Ability to work on own initiative
Customer focused

Decision Making

i)taken independently by the role holder

Scheduling of work within agreed deadlines
Prioritisation, planning, organisation of own workload and that of the team
Details of project implementation
Day to day relationship management with research stakeholders
In emergency, or in absence of the Associate Director, to provide immediate support or problem resolution when necessary
Anticipating difficulties, where they might arise and taking proactive measures to minimise their impact – identifying resource requirements to resolve any issues (people, technological solutions, etc.) as appropriate

ii)taken in collaboration with others

Strategic direction of Research Support services
Agree timescales, deliverables and set appropriate service levels for work done by the team
Policy or service level adjustment
Identification of training and development requirements
Recommendation of major service development
Research collection purchases and software upgrades
Identification and integration of new techniques or processes for improvinglibrary services
Deadlines and priorities within projects
Changes in policy, practice, support or communication mechanisms which impact on others in LRLR
Strategic training requirements for the Section as a whole
Implementation of standards and procedures for the Team

iii)referred to the Associate Director of Research and Learning Services by the role holder

Approval to attend external meetings and courses
Issues significantly impacting on the work of other Teams or Sections, or affecting strategic University-wide projects
Final decisions on purchases from LRLR budgets
Approval of new standards, techniques and processes which significantly impacts on the work of the Team
Project plans and final reports for approval
Matters requiring changes to LRLR policy and/or changes to resource allocations
Complex HR issues

Additional Information

The role of the Senior Librarian (Research Support) is a new role leading a new team. This is necessary to meet the changing needs of the University and provide targeted and systematic library input supporting research impact and dissemination. Services provided should be designed, promoted and delivered in line with the requirements of researchers and other internal stakeholders, be aligned with other LRLR services, and meet agreed strategic aims and service levels. The expectation is that the portfolio of services will start with initial priorities, utilise existing expertise, and then expand.
As well as developing the research support portfolio and framework, the role holder will build and manage relationships with LRLR colleagues – Senior Faculty Librarians and the Collections Management and Manuscript and Special Collections Sections, RGS including the Graduate School, IS, and University of Nottingham Researcher leaders.

Please quote reference number LD128214

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