SELMS Consortium Manager

We have an exciting opportunity for a SELMS Consortium Manager!

This is a full-time, permanent role with hybrid working, and a salary of £46,355 £50,466 per annum.

You will lead one of the UK's largest library management system partnerships, bringing together 14 library authorities that share a single catalogue, library database and library management system. The role offers the chance to work strategically across multiple organisations, driving innovation, value for money and service improvement through effective partnership working.

About us:

SELMS was established in 2006 to help deliver savings through shared working. A key aim was to offer their customers an improved, wider and more consistent service, including the seamless use of all the library stock across participating authorities.

The consortium now has 14 library authority partners.

• Brighton & Hove

• Buckinghamshire

• Camden

• Hertfordshire

• Kent

• Medway

• Milton Keynes

• Reading

• Richmond

• Slough

• Southend-on-Sea

• Southwark

• West Berkshire

• Windsor & Maidenhead

Across its network of 300 libraries, SELMS supports over 600,000 customers and facilitates more than 18 million loans each year from a collection exceeding 6 million items.

This is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic SELMS Consortium Manager to join the team.

The role:

Reporting to the Head of Libraries and Resident Contact, and under the guidance of the SELMS Chair and Steering Board, you will lead the strategic, operational and commercial management of the SELMS consortium. You will be responsible for managing contracts, supplier relationships, major projects, governance arrangements and stakeholder engagement across 14 partner authorities. Working closely with senior library leaders, suppliers and consultants, you will ensure partners remain focused on agreed priorities, achieving effective outcomes that deliver value, innovation and service improvement.

Your role will involve:

• Leading all consortium-wide procurement, contract management activities and supplier relationships Managing major projects and strategic initiatives on behalf of the partnership, ensuring delivery against agreed objectives, timescales and budgets.

• Acting as the principal point of contact for partner authorities, suppliers and consultants on partnership-wide matters.

• Driving collaboration across diverse stakeholders, balancing competing demands and maintaining focus on strategic priorities.

• Managing consortium finances, budgets, partner recharges and procurement activities to secure best value and performance.

• Supporting and advising the SELMS Steering Board and Development Group, enabling informed decision-making and delivery of agreed priorities.

• Identifying opportunities for technological advancement, service improvement and future development across the partnership.

• Identifying opportunities for new partnerships and managing the onboarding process. This is especially important due to the impact of the local government reorganisation.

What we are looking for:

• Demonstrable experience of contract management, including supplier performance management, procurement activity and commercial negotiation.

• Strong systems management knowledge, ideally gained through responsibility for large-scale business-critical systems or technology platforms.

• Proven ability to lead complex partnerships, influence stakeholders and maintain focus on key priorities while appropriately managing non-essential issues.

• Project management experience, including planning, delivery, governance and change management.

• Excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills, with the ability to work confidently with senior stakeholders across multiple organisations.

• Experience of budget management and securing value for money through commercial and contractual arrangements.

• An understanding of libraries, library management systems or the public sector environment would be beneficial.

• The ability to balance competing priorities, risks and expectations while delivering successful outcomes.

What we offer:

• 32 days annual leave

• Flexible working including a hybrid working pattern for a better work-life balance.

• Generous Local Government Pension scheme includes life cover (3 times of annual salary); and an Additional Voluntary Contribution (AVC) scheme to enhance your pension provision.

• Free employee parking close to the RBWM libraries.

• Give As You Earn scheme.

• Instant Reward Scheme to recognise and reward innovative achievement.

• Employee Assistance Programme providing counselling, advice and information.
• Access to discounts and deals with hundreds of retailers, including discounted gym memberships and travel deals.

RBWM values a collaborative and inclusive work environment, fostering creativity and innovation in all aspects of its operations. As an equal opportunities’ employer, we encourage applications from all as we believe diverse talent makes us stronger.

If you have a disability, are a current or former member of the armed forces or have been part of any formal care system up to the age of 25, you will be guaranteed an interview, should you meet the minimum requirements for the role.

If you wish to discuss this position informally, please contact Angela Huisman, Head of Libraries and Resident contact, on Angela.Huisman@RBWM.gov.uk or call 01628 685641