Academic Support Manager

The University of West London (UWL) is actively seeking a dedicated and proactive Academic Support Manager to join their esteemed Library Services team. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced library professional looking to make a significant impact on the academic and student experience within a highly-regarded institution.

UWL boasts impressive rankings, recognized as 41st in the UK by The Guardian University Guide 2026 and the 1st London modern university in The Times/The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026. Furthermore, it holds the distinction of being the Number 1 London university for overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2025. This is a testament to UWL's commitment to fostering an environment of success, achievement, and inclusivity for its diverse community of students and staff.

Key Advantages for Candidates:

• Strategic Impact: This role offers the chance to shape and lead academic support initiatives, directly influencing how the library meets the evolving needs of students and researchers. You will have strategic responsibility for embedding information literacy and ensuring a high-quality student experience.
• Leadership and Team Management: You will manage a small team of subject librarians and assistant librarians, providing guidance and fostering their professional development. This is a valuable opportunity to hone your supervisory and team-building skills.
• Commitment to Inclusivity: UWL places a strong emphasis on extending higher education to traditionally excluded groups and promoting equity and widening participation. As part of this role, you will be central to developing and championing inclusive collection development, aligning with the university's core values.
• Professional Growth: The role involves co-managing the book budget and developing initiatives to adapt library services for the future. This provides excellent exposure to resource management and strategic planning within a dynamic academic library setting.
• Reputable Institution: Working for a highly-ranked university like UWL offers prestige and the chance to contribute to an institution recognized for its academic excellence and student satisfaction.
• Supportive Environment: UWL is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce, supporting initiatives like the Athena SWAN Charter and being a Disability Confident Employer. They actively welcome applications from under-represented groups.

Key Considerations for Candidates:

• Experience Requirements: Candidates are expected to have experience working in a library environment, a professional library qualification (or equivalent experience), and a proven track record of supervising staff or leading projects/working groups.
• Proactive and Service-Oriented Approach: A positive and proactive attitude towards service development, coupled with excellent communication skills, is essential for success in this role.
• Budget Management: The role involves co-managing a book budget, requiring an understanding of resource allocation and financial stewardship.
• Eligibility to Work: Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK. Please note that this position does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
• Interview Timeline: Interviews are expected to be held in the week commencing 26 January 2026.
• Salary: The salary for this permanent, full-time role ranges from £42,609 to £51,525 per annum.

This Academic Support Manager position at the University of West London is an exciting prospect for individuals passionate about the role of libraries in higher education and dedicated to fostering an inclusive and successful learning environment. It offers a blend of strategic leadership, team management, and the opportunity to contribute to a forward-thinking academic institution.