Head of Libraries and Workforce

Purpose of post:

The Welsh Government’s Culture Division acts as the development agency for local museums, archives and libraries, leads on digital culture and manages the relationship between the Welsh Government and the three national cultural bodies (National Library of Wales, Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales). The Division is also currently planning how to take forward the Priorities for Culture to 2030 which will increase our investment in the culture sector including public libraries. It is an exciting time to join the libraries team and wider Division, and to have the opportunity to influence and shape the future of public library provision in Wales.

You will lead a small team of four or five people on the development and delivery of policy in relation to public libraries, take responsibility for the statutory duties in the 1964 Public Library and Museums Act including the Welsh Public Library Standards, oversee the National Digital Library Service and the development of digital services, manage programmes to promote the use of libraries, and support the development and delivery of projects for capital investment.

Additionally, you will have responsibility for a cross-sector training and workforce development programme. This is one of most highly valued aspects of the support, the Culture Division provides for the local sector, and it is a significant strand of the Priorities for Culture where a need for investment in skills is a priority.

Key Tasks:

Policy, development and engagement:

• develop library policy and support for public libraries in Wales, and support delivery of the Priorities for Culture in relation to libraries
• oversee relevant legislation and standards, including the management of the Welsh Public Library Standards and implementation of new framework 7
• support the development of services based on the all-Wales Library Management System, National Digital Library Service and digital library provision
• leading on stakeholder engagement , including liaising with and influencing internal and external stakeholders in Wales, the UK and more broadly

Priorities and projects:

• leadership, oversight or support for agreed priorities and projects, including capital projects, , Anti-racist Wales Action Plan, LGBTQ+ Action Plan, Disability Action Plan, Cymraeg 2050 supporting the relationship with the National Library of Wales, as the delivery partner for the National Digital \library Service day to day management of agreed budgets, and oversight or management of agreed grants and contracts
• project managing agreed projects and programmes, including project planning, regular reporting, and risk management

Leadership, management and professional development:

• lead the libraries and workforce development team, having line management for two members of staff
• be a member of the Divisional Culture Leadership Team and have a divisional leadership role for the office in which you are based, providing pastoral and other support for staff with whom you are co-located and potentially oversight of other areas of responsibility or priorities
• oversee Government business including briefings and correspondence, and communications support the library sector and cultural workforce to respond effectively to current issues, become sustainable and plan effectively for the future; and
• keep up to date with their professional development, including changing developments in the sectors as a result of digital opportunities and AI developments.

Hybrid working:

Welsh Government have a hybrid working model based on being in your contracted office when there is a business requirement or when it suits your individual preference. Our staff are able to work from alternative locations, including from home when there is no requirement to be in their contracted office. The advertised roles are being advertised on that basis and not on a remote basis.

Closing date:

29/04/2025, 16:00