Job summary
Full Time| Permanent | Proposed interview date Monday 10-Nov-2025
We're seeking a visionary and proactive Knowledge and Library Services Lead to drive innovation and excellence across our Learning and OD team.
If you're passionate about transforming library services and empowering people with evidence-based knowledge, this is your opportunity to make a real impact.
You will be required to work 5 days a week in the Illingworth library, attend face to face/teams meetings and will, potentially be able to work 1 day from home/ remotely.
Main duties of the job
Reporting to the Associate Director - Education & Organisation Development your responsibilities will include:
- Experience in NHS library and knowledge service management including development of services
-
Lead the development and modernisation of a high-quality, accessible, and digitally enhanced Library and Knowledge Service (LKS)
-
Build and maintain a robust knowledge base to support clinical and managerial decision-making across the organisation
-
Ensure staff have the guidance and resources they need to meet their learning, evidence, and knowledge goals
-
Oversee the library budget, strategy delivery, data reporting, and quality assurance processes
About us
At Sheffield Children's, our purpose is clear: to provide healthier futures for children and young people. Our three strategic aims are Outstanding Patient Care, Brilliant Place to Work, and Leaders in Children's Health.
We work with partners across local, regional, and national levels to deliver physical and mental healthcare in both acute and community settings. Many of our clinicians are nationally and internationally recognised for their expertise.
We're proud that 73% of colleagues would recommend Sheffield Children's as a place to work, placing us among the top five NHS trusts in England -- and the top-ranked trust in the North East and Yorkshire -- in the latest NHS Staff Survey.
Our nearly 4,000 colleagues bring our CARE values -- Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence -- to life every day, creating a kind, welcoming environment where patients and families feel safe and supported.
As we approach our 150th anniversary in 2026, we're excited to keep building our leadership in children's health, improve experiences for patients and staff, and focus on our communities and population health.
We also offer excellent benefits to support your wellbeing, with generous annual leave and pension schemes, health and wellbeing programmes, and exclusive discounts -- helping you thrive at work and beyond.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For more information on the main responsibilities for this post, please refer to the job description and person specification.
Please note that Sheffield Children's uplift pay to meet the Real Living Wage, which is £12.60 per hour.
*** This role has been assigned the 1259 occupation code using the CASCOT coding tool. To check the eligibility of this code for sponsorship and right to work please visit - UKVI web address https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations-and-codes
Please note: We do not offer visa sponsorship for part-time roles.
Diversity Statement
At Sheffield Children's, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and supports everyone's success. We prioritise Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in our recruitment practices, creating a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ members.
Recognising that inclusivity is an ongoing effort, we review our processes and welcome feedback to enhance our practices. A diverse team strengthens our organisation and the quality of care we deliver. For ideas on how we can improve, please contact our Recruitment Manager at scn-tr.recruitment.team@nhs.net. Together, we're building a workplace where everyone belongs.
#LI-Onsite
Job description
Job responsibilities
For more information on the main responsibilities for this post, please refer to the job description and person specification.
Please note that Sheffield Children's uplift pay to meet the Real Living Wage, which is £12.60 per hour.
*** This role has been assigned the 1259 occupation code using the CASCOT coding tool. To check the eligibility of this code for sponsorship and right to work please visit - UKVI web address https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations-and-codes
Please note: We do not offer visa sponsorship for part-time roles.
Diversity Statement
At Sheffield Children's, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and supports everyone's success. We prioritise Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in our recruitment practices, creating a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ members.
Recognising that inclusivity is an ongoing effort, we review our processes and welcome feedback to enhance our practices. A diverse team strengthens our organisation and the quality of care we deliver. For ideas on how we can improve, please contact our Recruitment Manager at scn-tr.recruitment.team@nhs.net. Together, we're building a workplace where everyone belongs.
#LI-Onsite
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Degree or Postgraduate diploma in Library or information studies
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Chartered member or working towards chartered status of CILIP
Desirable
- Teaching or training qualification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of library and knowledge service management including development of services
- Proven experience in planning and implementing policies, business plans and strategies that align with organisational goals and national strategies
- Evidence of monitoring service performance to support quality assurance frameworks
- Evidence of managing budgets, grant applications and negotiating with stakeholders or suppliers
- Experience working within a multidisciplinary team and leadership experience within a team
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- In-depth understanding of healthcare databases, medical terminology, and evidence appraisal
- Knowledge of copyright, data protection, FOI, and other legal frameworks
- Familiarity with library management systems (e.g. KOHA) and authentication platforms (e.g. OpenAthens)
- Understanding of knowledge management principles and their application in organisational learning
- Ability to analyse, interpret and respond to changing organisational and technological demands on services and resources, balancing these with user needs
- Excellent leadership and team management skills
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly to clinical, academic and managerial audiences
- Strong interpersonal skills to build effective relationships with stakeholders across the Trust and region
- IT proficiency, including web development and digital resource management
- Proven ability to manage conflicting demands and prioritising tasks effectively
Desirable
- Knowledge of the structure and priorities of the NHS
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Commitment to continuous improvement and professional development
- Collaborative and adaptable approach with a focus on customer service
- Ability to travel to other hospital sites and attend regional and national meetings as required
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Degree or Postgraduate diploma in Library or information studies
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Chartered member or working towards chartered status of CILIP
Desirable
- Teaching or training qualification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of library and knowledge service management including development of services
- Proven experience in planning and implementing policies, business plans and strategies that align with organisational goals and national strategies
- Evidence of monitoring service performance to support quality assurance frameworks
- Evidence of managing budgets, grant applications and negotiating with stakeholders or suppliers
- Experience working within a multidisciplinary team and leadership experience within a team
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- In-depth understanding of healthcare databases, medical terminology, and evidence appraisal
- Knowledge of copyright, data protection, FOI, and other legal frameworks
- Familiarity with library management systems (e.g. KOHA) and authentication platforms (e.g. OpenAthens)
- Understanding of knowledge management principles and their application in organisational learning
- Ability to analyse, interpret and respond to changing organisational and technological demands on services and resources, balancing these with user needs
- Excellent leadership and team management skills
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly to clinical, academic and managerial audiences
- Strong interpersonal skills to build effective relationships with stakeholders across the Trust and region
- IT proficiency, including web development and digital resource management
- Proven ability to manage conflicting demands and prioritising tasks effectively
Desirable
- Knowledge of the structure and priorities of the NHS
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Commitment to continuous improvement and professional development
- Collaborative and adaptable approach with a focus on customer service
- Ability to travel to other hospital sites and attend regional and national meetings as required
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
