Senior Executive Librarian

General Information

County Leitrim, located in the North West of Ireland, has a growing economy, picturesque landscape, vibrant communities and a strong arts and cultural sector. Leitrim County Council’s vision is to build an economically strong, creative, inclusive county, making Leitrim the best place to live, work, invest and visit

Key to the achievement of our priorities and objectives is a skilled and committed workforce, supported by enabling technologies, efficient work processes and learning and development opportunities. We are committed to the training, support and encouragement of our staff and we offer benefits across family friendly initiatives, personal development and wellbeing of staff.

The Role

Leitrim County Council is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates with relevant experience for the position of Senior Executive Librarian.

This is a senior management post within the Leitrim Library Service, which comprises Library Headquarters and a network of eight Branch Libraries strategically located across the County.

Based out of Library Headquarters in Ballinamore, and reporting to the County Librarian, the post of Senior Executive Librarian requires high level professional library, leadership and management skills. The successful candidate will be responsible for the management and development of library services including staff supervision, resources, programming and marketing, and will have responsibility for managing a number of key specific service areas, including collaborative services and programmes, in particular with Roscommon and Sligo Library Services.

Leitrim Library Service plays a key role as a frontline service reaching through rural and urban communities. The Library Service is constantly innovating and diversifying in a dynamic and changing environment, taking advantage of technological advancement in particular to deliver a wide and varied range of front-line services to users.

The library service has developed strong partnerships with various organisations and groups throughout the county. Visitor numbers are continually growing and the service continues to expand. Two Branch Libraries currently offer a My Open Library Service, Drumshanbo and Dromahaire, while the Local Studies Collection is housed in the Ballinamore Branch Library.

The Senior Executive Librarian will work as part of a multidisciplinary Library Service team to implement work programmes that deliver the goals, targets and standards set out in the Library Development Plan, Team Plans, and the National Public Library Strategy 2023–2027, The Library is the Place.

The post holder will support the library vision of being open, accessible and a focal point for communities, by contributing to forward-looking strategies and working collaboratively with staff and teams to deliver high-quality public library services.

The role requires strong leadership and initiative and the ability to work to a high professional standard, together with excellent librarian expertise, people management and interpersonal communication skills. The post holder will be required to effectively use existing and emerging ICT systems in the delivery of services.

Qualifications

1. Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

2. Health

Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

3. Citizenship

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

i. A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

ii. A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

iii. A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

iv. A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA, UK or Swiss citizen and has a Stamp 4 visa; or

v. A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a Stamp 4 visa; or

vi. A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA Member State, the UK or Switzerland and has a Stamp 4 visa.

4. Education, Training, Experience

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:

(a) Hold a degree (Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications) in the area of Library and Information Studies.

(b) Have satisfactory experience of library work, including satisfactory experience at a management level.

Notes:

• Candidates must submit a copy of educational qualifications meeting the requirements of 4(a) with their application.

• Applications received without the necessary documentation will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.

• Non-Irish qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish comparability with the Irish National Framework of Qualifications. Foreign language qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

Candidates must also hold a current valid and unendorsed driving licence in respect of Category B vehicles or equivalent in the EU Model Driving Licence and must advise if this is not the case. A copy of the licence must be submitted with the application.

The Ideal Candidate Shall Have

• Very good knowledge of the structure and functions of the local government library service, current issues, future trends and strategic direction of library services, and an understanding of the role of the Senior Executive Librarian.

• Ability to plan strategically for the future development of the library service.

• Strong commitment to modern and innovative service delivery and willingness to take on challenges.

• Strong ICT skills and understanding of the role of digital technologies in the delivery of public library services.

• Self-motivation with the ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, networking and advocacy skills.

• Relevant management and administrative experience at a sufficiently high level.

• Demonstrated competence in staff management.

• Ability to lead, manage, motivate, empower and encourage teams to achieve maximum performance.

• Ability to develop and deliver programmes and projects and to plan and prioritise to meet multiple targets and deadlines.

• Ability to ensure policies, procedures and quality standards are adhered to and maintained.

• Ability to build and maintain productive working relationships internally and externally.

• Ability to work collaboratively with other departments, library authorities and stakeholders.

• Ability to effectively manage financial resources within a budgetary control framework.

• Experience of problem solving and decision making.

• Openness and willingness to adopt new ways of working.

• Understanding of workplace safety management including Health and Safety legislation.

• Ability to deputise at a senior level.

Competencies for the Post

Management and Change

• Ability to think and act strategically.

• Understanding of political context within local government.

• Awareness of current local government and library service issues.

• Ability to translate corporate objectives into operational plans.

• Ability to manage change and foster creativity.

Delivering Results

• Ability to develop operational and team plans.

• Decisive decision making and sound judgement.

• Ability to initiate, develop and deliver programmes and projects.

• Effective allocation of resources.

• High standards of service delivery and compliance.

Leading, Motivating and Managing Performance

• Ability to build, lead and motivate effective teams.

• Strong organisational and administrative skills.

• Effective performance and conflict management.

• Excellent communication skills.

Personal Effectiveness

• Specialist knowledge and relevant experience.

• Understanding of the local authority and library service environment.

• Initiative, resilience and effective time management.

• Commitment to integrity, public service values and corporate governance.

• Political awareness.

Principal Terms and Conditions

The post is whole-time, permanent and pensionable and will be based in Leitrim Library Headquarters in Ballinamore, County Leitrim.

A panel will be formed from which Senior Executive Librarian vacancies arising during the lifetime of the panel of 12 months may be filled.

Duties

Reporting to the County Librarian, the duties and responsibilities of the Senior Executive Librarian will include, but are not limited to:

• Supporting the County Librarian in strategic management and delivery of library services.

• Leading implementation of the Library Development Programme.

• Contributing to policy development, capital projects and strategic planning.

• Managing service development, ICT systems, programmes and collections.

• Overseeing community engagement, outreach and cultural programming.

• Leading marketing, communications and public relations activities.

• Managing budgets, procurement, HR, ICT, health and safety and governance.

• Ensuring compliance with safeguarding, data protection and risk management.

• Building partnerships and collaborative networks, including with Roscommon and Sligo Library Services.

• Representing the Library Service at meetings and committees.

• Managing and supporting staff up to Executive Librarian grade.

• Deputising for the County Librarian as required.

The role requires flexibility in working hours, including work outside normal office hours.

Salary

The salary scale for the position of Senior Executive Librarian (effective 1 August 2025) is:

€60,011 – €61,480 – €63,194 – €64,914 – €66,634 – €68,170 – €69,745 – €71,269 – €72,790 – €75,395 (LSI1) – €78,015 (LSI2)

Entry point will be determined in accordance with relevant Departmental Circulars.

Residence

The post holder shall reside within a reasonable distance of their place of work and will be based in Leitrim Library Headquarters in Ballinamore, County Leitrim. Leitrim County Council reserves the right to reassign staff as required.

Probation

All appointments are subject to a probationary period of one year, which may be extended at the discretion of the Chief Executive. Employment may be terminated during or at the end of probation on one week’s notice.

Health

Successful candidates will be required to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner nominated by the local authority prior to permanent appointment.