Director, Library Services

This is an outstanding opportunity to take a senior strategic leadership role in a truly unique organisation at an exciting time of significant change. It takes a huge range of skills and experience to keep the House of Commons running, supporting the House and its MPs in performing their parliamentary duties. Our 2,500 talented and dedicated staff run a wide and rich variety of services, each of which in its own way supports a thriving parliamentary democracy. A critical and valued resource, the House of Commons Library is respected by MPs and their staff, journalists, think tanks and academics for its expertise, relevance, accuracy, impartiality and productivity.

We are currently looking to appoint a new Director of Library Services, a key member of the Research & Information department’s leadership team. Established services are running well, but we are ambitious to improve, and are looking for an experienced leader to help us take this function from good to great. This role entails overseeing the provision of resources, training, front of house services, and information support and management, as well as first-line enquiry support. Fundamentally, however, you will embrace our ambitions, lead and motivate our expert and committed information professionals, and develop our services. You will encourage innovation and fresh thinking, working collaboratively to incorporate industry best practice and create a long-term vision which not simply responds to the challenges we face, but which identifies their opportunities, too.

You will be an outstanding, collaborative and inclusive leader, confident and credible working with a wide range of senior stakeholders in an intricate and densely populated ecosystem. You have excellent communication skills and powerful credentials in motivating teams to sustainably improve processes, systems, and culture, and combine a strategic overview with first class operational experience. You have led the library or information services function of a large, complex organisation in which information is a vital asset, and can point to a professional track record working at the leading edge of innovation in information services. Equally important will be your ability to influence, advise, persuade and inspire at all levels.

For a confidential conversation about the role contact Jemima Dalgliesh on 07393 013 066 or Duncan Ewart on 0113 205 6092.