Vacature Department Manager Library locations and services

Department Manager Library locations and services in Maastricht

Are you an inspiring leader with a passion for digitisation, innovation and high-quality services? Do you have a clear vision of the library of the future and do you know how to motivate your team to translate the strategy formulated by the MT into a tactical plan and concrete actions? Then this role as Department Manager Library Locations and Services at the Maastricht University Library is the next step in your career!

Job description

As department manager, you bear ultimate responsibility for the results of the Library Locations and Services department. This department is responsible for all building-related services, the first general customer contact - both physical and online - and the services of the library locations and other locations with study places. The department consists of about 40 employees and a flexible shell of about 30 student employees.  You lead a team of dedicated team leaders and professionals from the Building Management, Information and Collections and Physical Collection Management teams. Together with the other members of the Management team, you are responsible for a wide range of products and services for the UM community and the development of the University Library ‘Towards the Academic Library of the future’. You have an excellent ability to identify relevant internal and external developments relevant to our services.

As department manager, you will lead a versatile department that plays a crucial role in supporting our students and staff (lecturers and researchers). One of its core tasks is to create and maintain inspiring study spaces for students at various locations within UM. The department is responsible for public services at various locations, with the aim of providing high-quality information services. The department manages both paper and digital collections - from regular to special collections - including metadata and storage in our repositories. You will also be responsible for building management, including security and building emergency response. You facilitate innovations such as digital labs, linked open data, have an eye for cooperation with citizens, and maintain valuable interactions with the municipality and local residents when it comes to library presence in the neighbourhood. In addition, you naturally coordinate well with stakeholders within UM.

With your knowledge of the latest developments and eye for the needs of the organisation, you manage your department, effectively connecting strategy, processes and people. You translate your vision into policy and concrete results and create clear frameworks within which employees work together on common goals, also across departments.

You create an inspiring and cooperative working climate that does justice to everyone. Together with your team, you ensure that the library remains future-proof and meets the constantly changing needs of students, researchers and other users.

What will you do?

• You will develop a clear and future-oriented departmental plan that fits seamlessly with the strategic goals of the University Library.
• You will support and guide team leaders in drawing up team plans and goals, thus contributing to the development and implementation of the departmental plan.
• You create an inspiring, pleasant and collaborative working environment, in which personal leadership and employee growth are central.
• You improve work processes within your department and on an organisation-wide level, with a special focus on digitisation and innovation.
• You will represent the University Library in relevant local and national working groups and to relevant stakeholders within and outside UM, thus strengthening our visibility and influence.
• In the Management Team, you actively contribute to the development and implementation of strategic policy for the University Library.
• You play a key role in change management and guide the organisation in responding to a continuously changing environment.

Job requirements

To realise the transition to the library of the future, we are looking for a connecting and collaborative department manager. You not only know how to connect people within your own department, but also promote cooperation between departments. Your strong team-building skills and eye for the strengths of individuals make you an inspiring leader.

You have strong organisational sensitivity and the ability to respond to changes in a dynamic academic environment. Your ability to learn and adapt will ensure that you continue to grow together with the University Library. In addition, you are able to use persuasion where necessary to create internal and external support.

Furthermore, you bring:
•  At least 3 years' leadership experience, preferably in a similar role.
•  Academic working and thinking level, preferably in a relevant discipline.
•  Experience within an information services and/or library context is an advantage.
•  Affinity with and experience in digitalisation and the digital transformation of processes and organisations.
•  A data-driven mindset, with the ability to make decisions based on facts and figures.
•  Experience in project-based working and guiding complex processes.
•  Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, in Dutch and English.

What we offer

As Department Manager Library locations and services at Universiteits Bibliotheek you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale 12 according to UFO profile Head of Department, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €5495,00 and €7056,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE. Upon proven suitability, the employment contract will be converted to an indefinite contract.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model.
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students.
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'.

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here

Maastricht University

At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click herefor more information about UM.

University Library

"Supporting your academic goals" is what the University Library stands for.  

We maintain close ties with the academic world and play a crucial role within this community, essential for students, educators, and researchers in the digital transition. We contribute to the UM’s Open Science policy, an initiative to enhance the impact of academic research—by helping to make science and scholarship accessible and transparent.  

The University Library is also continuously evolving, offering our professionals many opportunities to showcase their entrepreneurship and grow alongside. We accomplish this with a highly motivated and collegial team that values everyone's well-being. Will you be part of this team? 

To find out more about the services and information we provide, watch the video or visit our website 

Curious?

Do you have the vision, experience and motivation to fill this role successfully but still have questions? Then feel free to contact Claudia van Oppen at [email protected] for more information. If you have any questions about the procedure please contact Doriënne Plum (Corporate recruiter) via [email protected] or +31-6-14856785.

Applying?

Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new Department Manager Library locations and services? Apply now, no later than 01/19/2025, for this position.

A reference check will be part of the application procedure.

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.