Head Librarian(Kerry Campus) (Permanent Contract) Location This post will primarily be based at the location specified above, but from time to time will require attendance at any of the MTU campuses.
Reporting to: The Head Librarian for MTU Kerry campus libraries will co-lead the MTU Libraries with the Head Librarian for MTU Cork campus libraries and report to the Director of Student Services.
Role of Head Librarian The role of the Head Librarian is to provide a pro-active, cost effective and efficient library and information service and expert team in support of the teaching and research requirements of MTU.
The Kerry Campus Head Librarian holds overall responsibility, with the Cork Campus Head Librarian, for leading the strategic direction, management, and development of the universitys library services.
This role involves aligning library initiatives with the Universitys academic and research missions, ensuring the library remains a vital resource for students, faculty, and researchers.
The Head Librarians oversee the acquisition and curation of physical and digital collections, implement innovative technologies and service models, and ensure the library fosters an inclusive, accessible, and collaborative learning environment.
They play a critical role in supporting teaching, learning, open scholarship, and digital transformation within the institution.
In addition to managing the day-to-day operations of library teams and facilities, the Head Librarians lead strategic planning, budgeting, and human resource development within the library.
They collaborate with senior university leadership, academic departments, and external partners to advocate for the role of the library in institutional priorities.
This position also requires active engagement with professional networks and national or international library bodies to influence policy, promote best practices, and ensure the universitys library services remain competitive and future-focused.
Leadership, vision, and a strong commitment to user-centered services are essential in shaping the librarys evolving role in higher education.
The appointee will be joining a dedicated team that are continuing to innovate, integrate, and develop a shared vision for MTU Libraries as a new Technological University Library, aligned to the ambitions and goals of MTU, and deeply connected to, and engaged with, our whole learning community.
The Head Librarians will lead on all aspects of the innovation, integration, and strategy related to the development of the MTU Library function, in collaboration with colleagues, and direct and supervise, as appropriate, the work of members of the library staff to deliver these goals.
Qualifications/Experience Minimum: Applicants should have a degree and a postgraduate qualification in Librarianship or Information Science or an equivalent qualification, and At least 3 years satisfactory experience of library work.
Experience in academic/third level environments Experience of strategic management and planning skills Experience in implementing strategic change Strong interpersonal, communication, relationship-building and management skills are essential.
Desirable: Evidence of relationship-development across the higher education landscape Active engagement at national/international level on professional and sectoral level Awareness of higher education teaching & learning, research and HE policy landscape.
Principal duties and responsibilities: The appointee will carry out such duties as are assigned including but not limited to the following: to lead and work with the Library leadership team and the Director of Student Services on the development of the MTU Library and Library Strategy with a priority focus on the development of an excellent library user experience; contribute to the formulation of overall university policy, to implement and manage the implementation of MTU policy within the library and to contribute to the overall development of MTU and the achievement of its mission; to plan, initiate, develop and exploit library, scholarly and information resources in an optimal and competitive manner to meet the interests of students, staff, and the region and to ensure that the service is available to users throughout the week; to analyse and implement new and revised business processes, supported by suitable digital technologies, to exploit both the efficient and effective delivery of library services that maximise the student experience; to plan, at operational level, resource requirements and to prepare budgets and manage the library resource allocation; to monitor and evaluate the deployment and use of all resources using appropriate performance indicators and ensure the implementation of the MTU budgetary policy; to lead liaison within the MTU community in developing relationships, particularly teaching and learning and research and innovation, identifying and acquiring material to support programmes at all levels; to be responsible for the management, induction, training, motivation and development of library staff and to advise on and participate in recruiting suitably qualified staff; to advise on/promote/organise/participate in, as appropriate, staff development programmes; to promote and ensure the smooth running of the Library and to be innovative in the introduction of best practices by library staff for users and to ensure the implementation of MTU Library policies and regulations; to promote the library and information service within the university and its region and to promote the librarys core academic functions, information expertise and research-engagement as well as being a connector internally for MTU and externally to a range of communities and organisations; to identify opportunities to further improve the cost effective and efficient provision of information services to MTU and regional interests; to identify and develop library links with other library and educational establishments, nationally and with the local community and external agencies and make recommendations on the implementation of such links; to encourage and facilitate research expertise development, research culture and research programmes, including actively engaging nationally and internationally on collaborative research funding applications; to oversee the systems and IT infrastructure of the Library and engage in internal and sectoral work on a new Library Management System; to participate in all committees/groups on which the appointee is a member or is assigned, within MTU or externally on behalf of MTU; to report and provide information on the services and operation of the Library as required from time to time.
to undertake such duties as may be assigned from time to time by the University authorities.
Salary The salary scale as at 01/8/2025 per annum is: €88,231 - €113,478 Citizenship Requirement Candidates should note that eligibility to compete for posts is open to citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) or to non-EEA nationals with a valid work permit.
The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, United Kingdom along with Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
Swiss citizens under EU agreements may also apply.
It is an offence under the Employment Permits Acts 2003 and 2006 for both an employer and an employee if a non-EEA National is in employment without an appropriate employment permit.
Employment permit holders can only work for the employer named on the permit.
IMPORTANT NOTES Application Form: Please ensure that full information is given on qualifications etc and that the information is accurate and corresponds to the original transcript of qualifications.
Please note that any misstatement will result in disqualification.
Note the declaration to be ticked at the end of the application form.
Screening and short-listing takes place only on the basis of information submitted on the official application form.
Please ensure that those you nominate as referees are contacted by you and will be able to supply a reference without delay if requested.
Further information on the University is available on the website.
Latest date for receipt of completed application forms to the Human Resources Office is: 1.00pm on Friday 12th December 2025 Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
Appointments will be subject to Garda vetting.
The University operates an online recruitment system.
All applications must be made via the e Recruitment system.
Interview: Interviews will be held in Tralee.
The University regrets that it cannot pay expenses for candidates attending interviews for this post(s) or for taking up the position, if appointed.
General: The information given in this document is of a general information nature only and should not be taken as contractual.
The Human Resources Office, Munster Technological University, Tralee, Co Kerry MTU is an Equal Opportunities Employer