Associate Director: AI and Ideas Adoption
The University of Manchester Library
Welcome to The University of Manchester Library
Dear Applicant,
I am very excited that you are interested in applying for the role of Associate Director, AI and Ideas Adoption here at The University of Manchester Library. We believe that this is the first role of its kind to be appointed to any major research library in the world and so continues a long legacy of innovation and leading-edge practices at Manchester, widely regarded to be the home of one of the world’s greatest libraries.
The new role will take the senior lead on AI and its profound opportunities for our work but also holds responsibility for defining the Library’s role in ID Manchester, the University’s £1.7bn new innovation district in the heart of one of the world’s most exciting cities.
The AD, AIIA will take a leading role in developing our many international partnerships and principally those with our main partners in the Manchester-Melbourne-Toronto Research Alliance.
If you are interested in discussing the role further I’d be very happy to do so personally so please don’t hesitate to contact us at uml.director@manchester.ac.uk. This is a genuinely exciting opportunity to work in a world-class research library and at one of the world’s top research universities. We look forward to hearing from you.
Professor Christopher Pressler
John Rylands University Librarian, The University of Manchester
Professor Christopher Pressler
Professor Christopher Pressler
ID Manchester district - concept art
ID Manchester district - concept art
The University of Manchester Library is excited to begin its search for the first Associate Director for AI and Ideas Adoption to be appointed to any Library in the world.
The University of Manchester is recognised as one of the world’s top research universities and also as one with a long legacy of invention, leadership and ‘world firsts.’ At the heart of Britain’s largest single site University sits The University of Manchester Library, the only designated National Research Library in the North of England, the third largest academic Library system in the UK and with over ten million items the largest non-legal deposit Library in the country. Operating across seventeen sites and encompassing the UK’s largest academic digital collections as well as the remarkable John Rylands Research Institute and Library, The University of Manchester Library is widely acknowledged to be one of the world’s great libraries.
The Library is valued locally, nationally, regionally and internationally as a place of great historic importance but also of boundless innovation and creativity. We are an ideas-led workforce, proud of our agility and quality. Our culture is one that translates ideas into impact but that also considers pure exploration and pragmatic application to be equally important.
Associate Director (AI and Ideas Adoption)
Manchester is looking for an exceptional person to deliver the Library’s vision, Imagine2030 in the new context of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. We are looking to you to contribute to an already rich body of expertise and thought leadership in the Library and to convene specialist knowledge across the University on our changing world.
The Associate Director, AIIA portfolio also includes responsibility for developing the Library’s role in ID Manchester, The University of Manchester’s new £1.7billion innovation district on twenty-three acres in the centre of Manchester, one of the world’s most exciting global cities. With other members of Library Executive Team and Library Leadership Team, this role also contributes to our ground-breaking work with leading North American universities on library futures and our ongoing engagement with the Manchester-Melbourne-Toronto Research Alliance.
If you would like to take a leading role in coordinating the Library’s regional, national and especially international partnerships in the developing fields of AI and wider transformation then this is a unique opportunity. You will lead the systems and digital development work of one of the world’s most significant libraries in this emerging and fast-paced field but also work with colleagues across the Library and University in all areas of our work as a partner in teaching, learning, research and social responsibility.
Working here
As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.
Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here:
Application guidance
- We embrace Hybrid working arrangements.
- Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.
- Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to people.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk.
- This vacancy will close for applications at midnight, 11 October 2023.
Find out more
Further Particulars
Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews
- Professor Christopher Pressler
- uml.director@manchester.ac.uk
General enquiries and technical support
About the role
| Job reference | PSX-023382 |
| Salary | c£86,000 per annum |
| Faculty / Organisational Unit | Professional Services |
| Location | Oxford Road |
| Employment type | Permanent |
| Division / Team | University Librarian |
| Hours Per Week | Full time |
| Closing date | 11-Oct-23 |
| Contract Duration | Permanent |
| School / Directorate | The University of Manchester Library |
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