Community Outreach & Connections Team Manager

Community Outreach & Connections Team Manager

Permanent, Full Time

£33,256 to £39,125 per annum

Location: Witham*

Working Style: Anywhere worker

Closing Date: 12th March 2025

*This is a hybrid-working role, with attendance in the Witham office expected to be to 3 days per week on average, depending on business need. Attendance at community and partner events/locations would also be required on an ad-hoc basis. This can be discussed further at interview.

This role is essential for increasing the library service’s visibility across Essex County. The role will manage the Community Connectors and the Mobile library team to be the bridge between the Service and the community. Aiming to significantly grow, develop and increase the user base and engagement, by promoting the library service to proactively encourage people of all ages, to engage and participate, promoting Essex Libraries as a trusted organisation, and enhancing library services to meet evolving community needs.

This role will also manage the team of delivery drivers, ensuring the successful day-to-day operation of the logistics services. These include but are not limited to, management of movement of stock, promotional material and furniture, vehicle and driver management. This will also include day-to-day management of inbound and outbound London Consortium Stock.

This exciting role will support development of the Library Service’s outreach partnerships and activities with the library service working with frontline teams. The role will shape services, cultivate partnerships and work with the community to ensure library services within Essex are promoted to all and throughout local communities.

The role holder will actively engage with library staff, volunteers, community groups and partners, by promoting the library service within the community for the successful delivery of key objectives.

Accountabilities

Develop and promote a programme of events which support Customer and Library services in outreach settings. Shape and deliver events and activities which promote library services and encourage library membership.

Contribute to and support the delivery of the menu of library service activity, through developing partnerships and identifying new ways to promote library services in order to reach residents who are not current library users, raise awareness of the range of library services and increase library use.

Day-to-day management of community connectors, mobile and outreach services and logistic services, ensuring smooth operations.

Work collaboratively with local partners to promote reading, learning and the digital offer, to deliver against Essex County Council’s wider strategic aims.

Work with partners and develop new partnerships to help reach target audiences and enable the delivery of events and activities. Through these partnerships target a wide segment of the community and engage residents in activities and events that interest them.

Develop and manage outreach opportunities that are successful and have lasting impact within the community. Deliver on priorities and build new audiences across the County, supported by clear service guidance, training and model delivery examples.

Responsible for using an evidence-based framework to monitor and evaluate programmes of activity in outreach settings, demonstrating value for money and a good fit for the customer.

Support the development and effective delivery of services and activities, by building strong working relationships with internal and external partners and the residents of Essex.

Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

Lead on the management of volunteers within the library service focusing on the inclusion and engagement of the community and local partners.

Ensuring the vehicles and drivers are compliant with the law and H & S, that daily checks are carried out, that training is up to date and accurate.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Educated to Regulated Qualification Framework (RQF) Level 3 or equivalent by experience.

Evidence of continuing professional development with good knowledge in relevant professional area.

Expertise in building and managing partnerships with businesses, community organisations, and educational institutions that generate financial support and enhance service delivery.

Knowledge of community partnerships.

Ability to engage stakeholders, promote the service and advocate the benefits of working with the

library service with potential partners.

Proficiency in analysing data and trends and tracking the performance of initiatives.

Proven ability to develop and implement new Programmes and initiatives that enhance community engagement, demonstrating a future focused and proactive approach.

Flexibility to adapt to changing landscapes and community needs, while demonstrating leadership managing cross functional teams.

Future and improvement focused approach, embracing and advocating change with the ability to lead and deliver new ways of working.

Effective communication skills and experience of working with diverse audiences and partners.

Experience of working with community groups, customers and volunteers and the ability to develop strong relationships with library colleagues, internal and external partners and across the wider library network.

Excellent co-ordination skills and experience in delivering projects including relationship building, time management.

Willingness to develop knowledge of the service area.

Ability to prioritise work whilst maintaining focus on key activities, within defined timescales, on own initiative and as part of a team.

Ability to build and form working relationships with library colleagues, internal and external partners and across the wider library network.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

To read more about us please visit: Climate, Environment and Customer Services - Working for Essex

Why Essex? Essex County Council has a location to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. England’s oldest town, Colchester, and two of its newest – Basildon and Harlow – are right here. Along with the City of Chelmsford, the county town, they form our major population centres. It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal place for your career. Read more about us here.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

What you should do next

If you are interested in finding out more about this role, please apply via the Working for Essex website.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community here.  

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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