Director of Engagement

National Library of Scotland; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 73,000; Full time

Job summary

A premier cultural institution in Scotland is seeking a Director to shape the future of the national library. The successful candidate will have strong experience in the cultural sector and be a skilled communicator, ready to lead and engage diverse communities. This role offers excellent benefits, including generous annual leave and a civil service pension scheme, with opportunities for flexible working.

Benefits

Flexible Working

Family Friendly

Civil Service Pension Scheme

Health and Wellbeing

Discounts and Free Entry

Generous Annual Leave

Qualifications

• Skilled senior manager with experience in public service.
• Comfortable working with Boards, donors, and government officials.
• Advocate for the Library's mission and services.

Responsibilities

• Play a key role in connecting collections and services with communities.
• Provide vision and leadership for internal teams.
• Represent the Library at various stakeholder events.

Skills

People-centred strategic leadership

Strong communication skills

Experience in the cultural sector

Collaborative partnership

Job description

5 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Salary £72,315 (pay award pending) Location Edinburgh
This is a permanent, full-time vacancy that will close in a month at 23:59 GMT.

Are you ready to help shape the future of Scotland’s national library?

Join the senior leadership team at the National Library of Scotland and play a key role in connecting our outstanding collections and services with people across Scotland and beyond, building on the momentum of a successful centenary year.

What we are looking for:

This role requires a skilled senior manager with strong experience in the cultural sector and an understanding and commitment to public service. You will be a people‑centred strategic leader, with a focus on continuous improvement and a commitment to collaborative partnerships and audience engagement. A skilled communicator, you will be able to confidently represent and advocate for the Library’s mission and services. You will be experienced and comfortable working with Boards, donors, government officials and funding bodies as well as providing vision and leadership for a range of internal teams and colleagues.

What we can offer you:

If you are successful, you will be working for one of Scotland’s premier cultural institutions, a library that holds the nation’s memory in its vast collections. You’ll have the opportunity to work flexibly where the service allows and well provide you with training and development opportunities. We have generous annual leave and offer a pension scheme. And of course, you’ll join a team of great colleagues.

You can contact Amina Shah (National Librarian and Chief Executive) if you have any questions about the post. The full job description can be found at the bottom of this page.

We encourage applications from people who belong to marginalised communities particularly people of colour, those from a working class background, disabled and LGBTQ+ people.

The National Library of Scotland preserves the memory of the nation with collections that span the centuries, from the earliest times to the digital age. Our collections document the influence of Scots at home and abroad, while reflecting the ideas and cultures of the world. They cover all aspects of human endeavour in multiple formats, including books, manuscripts, archives, websites, maps, music, moving image and sound.

We support education, research, business and innovation and our work enhances the reputation of Scotland as a country with a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant future. We are committed to providing easy access to our physical and digital collections and delivering services that are open and available to all. It is a place for inspiration, exploration and enjoyment, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

There are around 320 of us working at the Library who all contribute in different ways, whether welcoming our visitors, planning our events and exhibitions, developing and caring for our collections or looking after our buildings and people.

Benefits: Flexible Working, Family Friendly, Civil Service Pension Scheme, Health and Wellbeing, Discounts and Free Entry, Generous Annual Leave.

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Management
• Strategic Management Services