Resources and Reader Development Lead

Job Introduction

We are committed to the development of our workforce. This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council. We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all. 

This role has a starting salary of £48,698 per annum, based on a 36-hour working week. 

Are you looking for an opportunity to take the next step in your career and help shape the future of East Surrey Libraries?

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Extended Leadership Team and play a key role in the strategic development of library resources, reader development and library services across East Surrey.

This role is based at Drill Hall Library Logistics Centre, Dorking, with flexible and hybrid working arrangements supported.

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

Libraries are trusted community spaces that support reading, learning, digital inclusion, health and wellbeing, creativity and connection. As Resources and Reader Development Lead, you will be responsible for ensuring our collections, reader development activity and services continue to meet the changing needs of our communities.

You will provide strategic leadership for library collections and resources, oversee significant budgets and contracts, and lead the development of reader development activity that inspires people of all ages to engage with reading, learning and culture.

Working closely with colleagues, suppliers, authors, publishers and community partners, you will help ensure East Surrey Libraries continue to deliver excellent services that are responsive, inclusive and sustainable for the future.

As Resources and Reader Development Lead, you will:

• Lead the strategic development and management of library collections and resources, ensuring they meet the needs of diverse communities and provide value for money.
• Manage the library stock and resources budget, ensuring effective financial planning, procurement and contract management.
• Oversee supplier relationships and strategic partnerships to ensure high-quality services and resources for residents.
• Provide leadership for the Drill Hall Library Logistics Centre, ensuring the effective processing and distribution of stock across the library network.
• Lead the strategic development of reader development activity across East Surrey Libraries following vesting day.
• Work with colleagues and partners to develop and deliver author events, reading initiatives, literary programmes and audience development opportunities that encourage reading for pleasure and lifelong learning.
• Support and promote national and sector-led initiatives, including programmes such as the Summer Reading Challenge, National Libraries Week, World Book Night, Empathy Day and Libraries Connected campaigns.
• Use insight, evidence, and customer feedback to inform decision-making and service development.
• Lead, motivate and develop a skilled team, creating a culture of continuous improvement, innovation and collaboration.
• Contribute to the successful development of East Surrey Libraries as services evolve to meet future opportunities and challenges.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of East Surrey Libraries.

You will work with passionate and committed colleagues who believe in the value of libraries and the difference they make to people's lives. Together, we are creating a service that is innovative, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of our communities both now and in the future.

Your Application

We are looking for an ambitious and forward-thinking leader who is passionate about the impact libraries can have on people's lives.

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

You will be able to demonstrate:

• Significant experience of working within libraries, cultural services or a related service environment.
• Experience of managing budgets, resources, contracts, or supplier relationships.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, support, and develop others.
• Experience of building effective partnerships and working collaboratively across organisations.
• Knowledge of reader development and a passion for promoting reading, literacy and learning.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to think strategically whilst maintaining a strong focus on operational delivery.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and delivering services that meet the needs of local communities.
• A willingness to learn, develop and adapt in a changing environment.

To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 4 questions: 

• Question 1 – Service Improvement and Leadership: Tell us about a time when you identified an opportunity to improve a service, process, customer experience or way of working. What actions did you take, how did you engage others, and what was the outcome?
• Question 2 – Budget and Resource Management: Describe your experience of managing budgets, resources or contracts. How have you ensured value for money whilst meeting the needs of customers and maintaining service quality? 
• Question 3 – Developing Reader and Audience Engagement: This role is responsible for helping shape reader development activity across Surrey now and East Surrey Libraries following vesting day in April 2027. Tell us about an initiative, partnership or programme that increased engagement with reading, learning or library services. What was your contribution, what did you learn from the experience, and how would you use those lessons to support future reader development activities?
• Question 4 – Future Libraries and Community Impact: Public library services are operating in a rapidly changing environment. What do you see as the key opportunities and challenges for libraries in the future, and how would you ensure library resources, reader development activity and services continue to meet the needs of local communities?

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.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 24/11/2026, with interviews scheduled for the week of the 7 December. 

Please note that the successful applicant must be available to commence employment on or before 31st January 2027.

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

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. Please contact Katie Kinnear by email at katie.kinnear@surreycc.gov.uk.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) 

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation and will move to new authorities in April 2027. This role is currently employed by Surrey County Council and will remain so until then. If you are employed by Surrey County Council on 1 April 2027, your employment will transfer under TUPE arrangements to one of the new councils, with your current terms and conditions protected. The provisional allocation for this post is East Surrey Council, subject to final confirmation through the wider transition process later this year. Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council.

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 shortlisting criteria as displayed on the advert, 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.