Assistant/Deputy Director, Resource Acquisition Management

[What the role is]

The National Library Board (NLB) nurtures Readers for Life, Learning Communities and a Knowledgeable Nation by promoting reading, learning and history through our network of 28 libraries across Singapore, the National Library and the National Archives of Singapore.

At NLB, you can look forward to a flexible, hybrid work environment with rewarding, impactful deliverables that improve the lives of the community. With caring colleagues, you will be in an ideal environment for professional development, innovation and impact.

We can offer you:

• A chance to Impact the Community, bridge gaps and empower everyone with the opportunity for learning and discovery.
• An opportunity to Innovate and Push Boundaries. We value ideas, curiosity and a passion for innovation to transform our libraries and archives.
• An organisation that Cares for your Growth and Wellbeing through investment in staff development and wellbeing in a supportive and collaborative environment.

You will oversee the management of three units – Acquisitions, Digitisation and Digital Preservation – to ensure the efficient and effective management of:

1. Acquisition of purchased and non-purchased materials
2. Management of vendors and publishers
3. Issuance of International Numbers
4. Management of related processes for physical and digital legal deposits of Singapore materials
5. Digitisation and digital preservation of collections

This role contributes to the preservation of content and creation of access to comprehensive collections, in support of NLB’s Libraries and Archives Blueprint.

[What you will be working on]

• Develop the annual work plans and budgets for the Acquisition, Digitization and Digital Preservation units and guide the teams in prioritizing/de-prioritizing work areas strategically.
• Lead the units in ensuring smooth execution of key functions, in accordance with international/technical standards (for numbers) and government procurement principles (for purchasing of materials).
• Provide direction and guidance to the team to formulate and review guidelines and policies.
• Mentor the team in stakeholder (internal and external) management.
• Lead teams in anticipating and responding to internal and external audits. Ensure internal controls and SOPs are implemented consistently.
• Lead reviews for system enhancements (e.g. ESA, Deposit Portal and digital preservation systems) together with the relevant divisions and champion the integration and re-engineering of digitization processes to optimize capacity.
• Direct and guide team to work on tenders and Demand Aggregation to meet the needs of Whole of Government and ensuring compliance with the principles of government’s procurement on transparency, value for money and open and fair competition.
• Lead the units in complex procurement planning to achieve the best outcomes for critical business operations in public libraries.
• Oversee the monitoring of departmental performance standards and KPIs to ensure effective services to customers are sustained.
• Create team synergies to better prepare for and mitigate resistance to business changes.
• Work with managers and teams on the effective learning plans for staff in the unit to build new capabilities and ensure that staff is correctly deployed to ensure optimisation of resources.
• Establish connections with international professional bodies for the respective specialized domains e.g. digital preservation, digitisation, and contribute to the exchange of knowledge across communities.
• Champion re-engineering and innovation efforts, and support the development of strong middle management capabilities, as well as consolidate and streamline work operations.
• Lead/support projects for the delivery of key outcomes for the division and NLB.
• Manage the change management process with the implementation of projects.
• Contribute to the division’s workplans and strategic roadmaps.

[What we are looking for]

• Preferably with 5 years of relevant experience in a management position.
• Ability to network effectively at multiple levels
• Good communication and presentation skills
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills
• Good in people management and motivating teams
• Strong sense of achieving results

Location: Library Supply Centre, 3 Changi South Street 2 S486548

Division: Resource Discovery and Management Division / Resource Management

The successful applicant will first be appointed on a 2-year contract.

Please be informed that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.