Academic Engagement Manager (Library)

Canterbury Christ Church University – Library Services

Please note a full application including a covering letter detailing your experience alongside a CV is required for applications to be considered. Please be advised applications made without providing a cover letter will not be accepted.

Background of department

Are you passionate about creating an outstanding university experience? Do you thrive in a collaborative, forward-thinking environment? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to be part of a newly designed Directorate of Student Life at Canterbury Christ Church University.

As Academic Engagement Manager (Library), you’ll play a pivotal role within our highly regarded Library Services Department. Following a strategic redesign and the launch of our new library strategy, Our New Chapter, the service is evolving to meet the dynamic challenges and opportunities in education, research, publishing, and information services.

What will you be doing?

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Academic Engagement Manager (Library) to join our Student Life and Library Services Team. This pivotal role will provide specialist leadership in developing academic library services, embedding library skills training, and strengthening partnerships with academic colleagues to support both teaching and research.

You will manage a team of Academic Librarians and the Open Research Librarian, ensuring services are strategically aligned, responsive to academic needs, and deliver measurable impact for students and researchers. Working closely with the University Librarian and other service managers, you will translate strategic goals into clear operational objectives, lead projects and working groups, and champion the library across the university.

Who are we looking for?

As Academic Engagement Manager (Library), you will bring substantial experience in academic liaison and relationship management within Higher Education. You will be an outstanding communicator with strong interpersonal skills, able to build effective relationships at all levels. With a proven track record of leading, motivating, and developing staff, you will demonstrate the ability to inspire teams and drive collaboration.

You will possess a thorough understanding of the education and research environment in universities, and how the library can actively support, contribute to, and enable academic success. A flexible and innovative approach will be essential, alongside strong planning, negotiation, and problem‑solving skills to deliver meaningful outcomes and sustained impact.

How will you work?

We are committed to supporting flexible methods of working wherever possible for this role attendance will vary on a day-to-day basis and across the year but must purposefully align to the service being delivered and to the needs of our students, staff, and stakeholders. It is expected that the majority of your working time will be spent on campus.

How to apply

Start date for applications: 19th January 2026
Closing date for applications: 9th February 2026
Interviews are to be held: 26th February 2026

If you require further information regarding the post please feel free to contact Theresa Thurston theresa.thurston@canterbury.ac.uk (strictly no agencies, thank you) quoting reference number REQ06001.

Please note, Canterbury Christ Church University reserve the right to bring the closing date of this position forward where a high volume of applications is received.

Additional InformationCanterbury Christ Church University truly welcomes fresh perspectives and new voices. We want you to bring the real you to work, so we are committed to building a genuinely inclusive working environment where everyone is welcomed and where everyone can have a true sense of belonging. Our spirit of community will help us to eliminate discrimination and will enable us all to thrive in a culture that is underpinned by fairness and justice. We therefore seek people to join us who will proactively support and shape this aim and contribute in their own unique way. If this is you, then we are waiting to hear from you. #yourCCCU

Our University is deeply committed to shaping sustainable futures as a key part of its mission and values. If you share this passion, we encourage you to join us in making CCCU a more socially and environmentally conscious, sustainable place to study and work.

Employment Visa Clarification: According to the UK Government Points Based System, this position may not fulfil the requirements for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Route application.

Please note applications must be made online via the University website; details sent directly via email cannot be considered.

No agencies, thank you.