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Library Group Manager (Central)

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Job description
Permanent, Full Time 37 hours per week. The usual working days for this post are Mondays - Fridays with one Saturday and one Sunday (Sunday is afternoon only) in four.

Work pattern:

  • Week 1 - Monday 9-5; Tuesday 9-7; Wednesday 9-5; Thursday 9-7; Saturday 9-5.
  • Week 2 - Monday 9-5; Tuesday 9-5; Wednesday 9-5; Thursday 9-5; Friday 9-5; Sunday 12-5.
  • Week 3 - Tuesday 9-7; Wednesday 9-5; Thursday 9-7; Friday 9-5.
  • Week 4 - Monday 9-5; Tuesday 9-5; Wednesday 9-5; Thursday 9-7; Friday 9-5.

This is an exciting opportunity to join Bristol Libraries as a Library Group Manager. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated manager with a proven track record of staff management and delivering a high-quality customer experience for Bristol's flagship Central Library.

The Library Group Manager at Bristol Central Library manages the day-to-day frontline operation of the Central Library and is supported by a team of professional librarians and two library supervisors.

You will have experience of working in a library environment; you will be adaptable and flexible in your approach and will need to be able to think on your feet. You will work with a wide range of colleagues and partners, and demonstrate both knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, the wide variety of services delivered through a modern and vibrant library service.

The Central Library is an iconic Grade 1 listed building that sees over 1000 visitors a day, it is a complex building with seven floors including two public floors and a historic reading room; areas of the library are often used for exhibitions and events. Services from Central Library include a lending library for adults and children, a reference library, research and study spaces, computer areas, a business centre, a café and meeting and hire spaces. The library is also the central hub for the distribution of stock and resources across the Bristol Libraries network of 26 libraries.

Your role will include:

  • Responsibility for managing the frontline service of the Central Library, ensuring the delivery of an efficient and high-quality public service and excellent customer care.
  • Selection, deployment, development and monitoring the performance of staff.
  • Creative and innovative approaches to service delivery, maximising use of new technologies, developing partnerships and links with community groups and individuals to ensure services are relevant to their needs.
  • Working with colleagues to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the building and its services. Collaboration with other library teams to ensure that service developments are deliverable and carried out in a high-quality professional way.

This post is on-site at Central Library, it is not suitable for hybrid working or job-share.

Please note that this role is subject to a Standard DBS Check.

Why Bristol City Council?

At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation.

Join us and you'll receive an excellent rewards package including membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you'll be working in a supportive environment where you'll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.

How do I apply?

If you share our and are ready to be part of our exciting journey please select the apply button below.

To be shortlisted for interview you'll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application.

We're a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.

For an informal discussion about this opportunity please contact: Frances Tout, Library Central Services Manager: frances.tout@bristol.gov.uk

Bristol City Council strives to have a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, we are therefore committed to ensuring diversity in our hiring process. We welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic and disabled candidates who are currently under-represented within this Service of Bristol City Council. Appointments will be made on merit.

The personal information section (including your name) you'll complete as part of the application form will not be visible to hiring managers, but is used confidentially to make sure that everyone is treated fairly

Library Group Manager (Central)

Bristol City Council
Bristol, UK
Full-Time

Published on 06/02/2026

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