Library Branch Manager

The starting salary for this role is £25,539.17 per annum for working 30 hours per week (two-week rota basis). The full time equivalent salary is £30,647 per annum.

We are currently seeking a Library Branch Manager for Woking Library. Your core hours are based at Woking Library, but you will travel to branches in the local group and other locations to support the wider library network as required.

This position puts you at the heart of our communities, providing you with the opportunity to lead staff and volunteers in creating a dynamic library service that continually evolves to meet the needs of local communities.

Our Offer to You

26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service (prorated for part time staff)
Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
A generous local government salary related pension
Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents.About the Role

As a Branch Manager, you will be responsible for managing a team of staff ensuring that excellent customer service is delivered at all levels in your library. Making use of your communication skills, you will ensure that team members feel supported in their roles. You will provide training and development opportunities to staff while continuing to broaden your own knowledge.

Our Branch Managers play an integral role in helping us achieve an inclusive and active library service partly through the planning of cultural events. This could involve organising an author talk, arranging theatre activities, or facilitating the creation of a temporary dance space. Using your networking skills to build local partnerships, you will encourage learning and support local health and wellbeing.

You will also oversee day-to-day activity in the library, which involves dealing with property issues, ensuring health and safety policy is adhered to, and managing customer comments, compliments, and complaints.

The role profile provides a detailed list of what you might encounter while working as a Branch Manager. However, we recognise transferable skills and are committed to providing training.

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:

Experience of managing and supporting teams through change
Ability to work with peers at a management level
Ability to build relationships and develop internal and external partnerships
Problem solving skills and ability to take appropriate action
IT skills to use the library management systems and the resilience to support with a broad range of customer queriesWe want to find out how you will create an inclusive environment for staff and customers and ask that you answer the following questions as part of the application process (along with uploading your CV):

What are your motivations for applying?
Name three things you would do to attract more people to our libraries, demonstrating how they align with our Surrey Way framework.
What qualities, experiences, and leadership approaches would make you an exceptional Library Manager?
Library Managers have to prioritise competing demands on a daily basis. Outline what experience would you bring to support you with this.If you can match our energy for creating exceptional community spaces, we and our residents really want to hear from you.

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description and our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.

Rota

Week 1:

MONTUEWEDTHURFRISAT
9 to 59 to 59 to 49 to 5Off9 to 5
Week 2:

MONTUEWEDTHURFRISAT
9 to 59 to 49 to 411 to 7OffOff
Please note that the above rota is subject to temporary or long-term revision, when required, to meet the needs of the library service, including occasionally covering until 7pm.

Please note there are no staff parking facilities at libraries in Surrey, however there are pay and display car parks close to most locations. If using public transport, please check what options are available for you to travel to individual locations, and when making your application, consider your travel costs and arrangements.

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 04/05/2026 with interviews to follow at Woking Library.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information on our website.

Our Commitment

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs