Senior Library Manager - KIM Business Systems

About the role

Weekly Working Hours: 37 Change your career, change lives The Open University is the UK's largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education. Find out more about us and our mission by watching this short video (you will be taken to YouTube by clicking this link). 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. This includes oversight of a complex portfolio of technology systems, products, repositories, and low-code and digital services across their full lifecycle, 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 make effective use of emerging technologies. You will provide expert leadership in KIM systems and will oversee the delivery and continuous improvement of Power Platform and other digital solutions through internal teams, technical specialists, and suppliers rather than through hands-on software development. The role also contributes to good practice across information and knowledge services, ensuring consistent, reliable, secure, and sustainable digital services that support the University's wider aims. Take a tour of our Open University Library Building by watching this short video . 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 Carry out forward planning to ensure appropriate resourcing, skills, and capability within the KIM team and related services, including sufficient 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 the availability and resilience of core systems with appropriate daytime and out-of-hours coverage. Provide support, guidance and management to the Metadata team to enable progress, address technical gaps, and support 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 robust supplier relationships, service-level compliance, and effective contract and performance management. Lead the 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 the 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 and strengthen service effectiveness. Establish performance measures, evaluation methods, and continuous improvement processes to ensure service quality, compliance, and effective knowledge management. 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, ensuring a customer-focused and improvement-oriented approach. Sector Engagement Participate in professional networks to maintain awareness

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