Senior Library Manager - KIM Business Systems
About the Role
The Senior Library Manager is accountable for leading the systems, services, and digital capabilities that underpin a high quality, efficient, and embedded Knowledge and Information Management (KIM) profession. The role includes oversight of technology systems, products, repositories, and low code and digital services across their full life cycle, from requirements definition and procurement through implementation, adoption, optimisation, and decommissioning.
The role requires building strong and effective partnerships across the University to ensure that KIM systems and practices support service strategies, improve user experience, deliver value for money, and leverage emerging technologies.
Key Responsibilities Strategic and Service Leadership
- Lead the strategic development of Knowledge and Information Management technology systems and practices, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, service objectives, and user needs.
- Assess requirements for KIM systems and knowledge resources, taking account of student and staff needs, University policies, and strategic direction.
- Work with stakeholders to translate business and KIM requirements into functional specifications, workflows, delivery plans, and technical priorities for implementation by relevant specialists.
Systems and Digital Delivery
- Oversee the design, configuration, integration, support, and continuous improvement of KIM systems, repositories, authentication tools, and associated digital platforms.
- Lead the delivery of Power Platform and other digital solutions, working with technical specialists to streamline workflows, automate processes, and enhance service delivery.
- Ensure KIM processes and systems are documented, maintained, and governed so that knowledge resources remain accessible, well managed, and aligned with institutional standards.
Operational Management
- Plan resourcing, skills, and capability within the KIM team and related services, ensuring access to technical and low code expertise.
- Provide expert guidance and support to colleagues on implementing new systems, knowledge practices, and digital solutions.
- Co ordinate with the Library Business Systems team to develop and maintain sustainable support processes, ensuring availability and resilience of core systems with appropriate coverage.
- Support the Metadata team to enable progress, address technical gaps, and facilitate effective delivery.
Collaboration and Supplier Management
- Maintain effective collaboration with central IT and other relevant teams to ensure new developments and service improvements progress to agreed timescales.
- Lead engagement with external technology providers, ensuring contract and performance management.
- Lead procurement and implementation of new systems and digital solutions, working with colleagues in Information Security, Procurement, Information Rights, and Digital Services.
Continuous Improvement and Governance
- Lead development and review of KIM systems strategy, policies, standards, and frameworks.
- Support ongoing change by reviewing systems, processes, and knowledge management practices to identify improvements.
- Establish performance measures, evaluation methods, and continuous improvement processes to ensure service quality and compliance.
Leadership and Reporting
- Manage and motivate the KIM team, including recruitment, development planning, performance review, and objective setting.
- Produce reports for the Leadership Team, including performance, systems metrics, budget management, and KIM updates.
- Contribute to strategy development as part of the Extended Leadership Team.
Sector Engagement
- Participate in professional networks to maintain awareness of sector developments in technology, AI in KIM, digital service delivery, and low code capability.
- Use external intelligence to position the University's Knowledge and Information Management profession as sector leading in systems and digital innovation.
About You Essential
- Higher education qualification or equivalent professional experience.
- Experience working with Information Security and Information Rights compliance requirements.
- Experience leading, commissioning, or supporting the delivery of digital solutions, including Power Platform or other low code services.
- Knowledge of modern application development practices, methodologies, and delivery processes.
- Understanding of good web design, usability, accessibility, and user interface principles sufficient to oversee the delivery of effective digital services.
- Experience overseeing the administration and support of M365 tools and Windows based environments.
- Understanding of systems administration and service support across multiple platforms.
- Proven leadership experience in technical, digital, or project based teams.
- Understanding of IT support methodologies, knowledge management practices, and digital service management.
- Awareness of emerging digital and AI opportunities and risks in knowledge and information management, including responsible and compliant use.
Desirable
- Experience in data analysis, indexing, metadata, or information architecture.
- Knowledge of metadata standards (e.g., MARC, Dublin Core).
- Project management certification (e.g., PRINCE2) and/or proven project management experience.
Benefits
At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance.
Working Location
The role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes Office, with a hybrid working pattern. Some attendance in the office, typically about 1 day per month and occasional on campus meetings, is required. Full time working from our Milton Keynes site is also supported if preferred.