About this role
<p><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Salary: </span></span><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">£36,636 to £38,784 with progression to £46,049 per annum</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent <a style="color:blue;text-decoration:underline" href="https://www.ncl.ac.uk/vacancies/benefits/">benefits</a>. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Closing Date: 05 July 2026</span></span></p> <p> </p><p><span style="font-family:'arial black', sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><strong>The Role</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><strong> </strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">This is an excellent opportunity to join our Content and Discovery team in the University Library, making a key contribution to the support we provide for education and research. You will help to develop and maintaining workflows that provide efficient access to Library resources in all formats. You will provide reports and analysis to inform the management and development of our extensive collections</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">You will work collaboratively with colleagues across Library services, Professional Services and faculties and so good interpersonal and communication skills are essential, as is the ability to play a significant role in the work of a busy team. You must have a keen eye for detail and the capacity to prioritise competing demands with minimal supervision.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">The post is fixed-term until 14th May 2027, and is a potential secondment opportunity.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Informal enquiries may be made to Pamela Dodds (<a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>).</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">To apply please upload your CV along with cover letter evidencing how your skills and experience align to the person specification as outlined within job description.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><strong>Key Accountabilities</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Plan, coordinate and manage the information resource lifecycle. This includes trialling new resources, ordering and renewing subscriptions, invoicing, arranging access to resources, managing authentication, and other metadata and system configuration activities.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Collate, analyse and present usage data for collection management purposes.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Develop, manage and monitor standards and workflows for classification and metadata creation to maximise discoverability of the libraries’ collections through a range of resource discovery tools.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Provide support and advice to users experiencing problems with access to e-resources.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Supervise the day to day work of library assistants, employing coaching techniques, and conducting performance and development reviews.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Train staff in the functionality of the acquisitions and cataloguing modules of the Library management system.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Work alongside the team of supervisors within Content and Discovery to provide cover and support for staff across the department.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Participate in objective setting and Library projects, leading them where appropriate.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Maintain effective communication channels and excellent working relationships with liaison librarians, library administrators, NUIT, internal customers and publisher/vendor representatives to ensure collection goals are met, including the timely renewal and processing of subscriptions and invoices.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Obtain licence agreements from vendors or publishers and work closely with the Partnership Licencing & Management Information Librarian to scrutinise new and amended licences. Liaise with vendors where necessary to reach agreements on acceptable changes to licence clauses.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Participate in initiatives within the wider academic community that have links to collection management and resource discovery e.g. UKRR, Jisc NBK.</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:'arial black', sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><strong>The Person (Essential)</strong></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><strong>Knowledge, Skills and Experience</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Proven experience in Library/Information work, ideally in the HE sector.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Experience of using a library management system, particularly the acquisitions and cataloguing modules.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Experience of using current cataloguing and classification standards, particularly MARC 21 and Dewey Decimal Classification, and of training staff in their use.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Record of working constructively and flexibly as part of a team to deliver a consistent, high-quality service to users.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Staff management skills, showing demonstrable experience.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Highly developed IT skills, including experience of using MS Office applications, and web-based information resources, authentication services e.g. EZProxy.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Strong organisation and time management skills with a proven record of ability to deliver to deadlines with minimal managerial supervision.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Awareness of copyright and licensing issues.</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Ability to work accurately and methodically paying attention to detail.</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:'arial black', sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><strong>Attributes and Behaviour</strong></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><strong>Embracing change </strong> </span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Reviews and revises plans to meet with changing circumstances</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Develops and implements new ideas</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><strong>Gathering information </strong> </span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Liaises effectively with stakeholders; colleagues, suppliers, customers</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Looks for opportunities and impacts arising from external developments. </span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><strong>Communicating </strong> </span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Effectively uses face to face communication regularly: team meetings, one to ones, informal discussions/chats, briefing sessions,etc.</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><strong>Team-working </strong> </span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Develops and nurtures skills in order to build a productive team.</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><strong>Planning and organising</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Effective at organising and managing heavy and complex workloads</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Establishes clear roles and responsibilities for self and others</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><strong>Finding solutions</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Identifies when given contradictory or inaccurate information</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Encourages creative and innovative thinking in self and others</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Makes decisions based on understanding the wider organisational needs and having considered a range of possible options</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><strong>Qualifications</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Educated to degree level or equivalent</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Professional qualification in Library and Information Science, or demonstrable equivalent experience.</span></li> </ul> <p> </p><p><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">At Newcastle University we hold a Gold<a href="https://www.ncl.ac.uk/edi/gender/"> Athena Swan</a> award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a <span style="line-height:107%;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:black"><a href="https://www.ncl.ac.uk/edi/race/">Race Equality Charter</a></span> Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/disability-confident-campaign"> <u>Disability Confident</u></a> employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Requisition ID: 29282</span></span></p>