Operations Manager

You will have overall responsibility for the library’s core services. In short: you need to be well-informed about everything. To summarize, the following departments fall under core services: front office (circulation), collections, communications & marketing, facilities, HR, IT, and privacy. You will work with the director to develop the strategy and policies.

Since we’re a small organization, you won’t be a manager who hands out assignments from above, but someone who gets involved on the ground. We’re looking for a truly hands-on manager who is just as flexible as the staff and volunteers who work with us.

The library isn’t boring! The library is always evolving. There are plenty of challenges ahead in the coming years: a potential MFA in Voorschoten, renovations in Wassenaar, ongoing financial constraints, and a library in transition.

We therefore expect you to have a wealth of experience.

• You have a college or university degree and at least 5 years of management experience
• Your library experience is more than just a plus.
• You have knowledge of the departments mentioned, or you are willing to learn a lot about them in a short period of time.
• You know how to interact with colleagues and volunteers in an enthusiastic yet professional manner.
• Our visitors and members are very important to us, which is why a customer-focused, customer-friendly, and service-oriented approach is the only way to go.
• You see problems as opportunities, and you’re always thinking one step ahead.
• In addition to all these qualities, we also expect you to have a strong knowledge of computer systems and office software; no one will explain how things work to you—you’ll be the one explaining them to others.

What can you expect from us?

• enthusiastic colleagues and volunteers with a passion for libraries
• an entrepreneurial and collaborative work environment
• plenty of freedom and room for new initiatives
• Scale 10 Collective Bargaining Agreement for Public Libraries
• annual contract

Since the current operations manager, Nicole ten Thij, believes it’s important to ensure a smooth transition, you’ll be given plenty of time to get up to speed. It won’t be a walk in the park, but you certainly won’t be thrown in at the deep end.

Are you ready to take on this challenge with a smile? If so, please send your cover letter and resume to Nicole ten Thij, Operations Manager, via email at n.tenthij@obvw.nl. Do you have any questions? Feel free to call Nicole at 06 25 144 112.

An assessment may be part of the application process.

Recruitment agencies are asked to refrain from contacting us regarding this job opening.

The Voorschoten-Wassenaar Public Library is a library with 20 full-time staff members and more than 240 volunteers. These relatively small libraries play a vital role in the region. As a result, we have ambitious goals for the future, which will require changes for everyone within the organization. The strategy for the coming years is currently being developed, and the new colleague will play a major role in this process.