Description:
As unit head for the User Services Unit, you will play a central role in the Royal Library's work to provide access to collections and deliver services to researchers, professional users, and the general public. The unit is responsible for providing KB's collections (both physical and digital) to users, managing the library system, handling interlibrary loan requests, and coordinating KB's user meeting. The operations are characterized by high expertise, strong commitment, and a clear user focus. Work is carried out in several teams, on scheduled shifts and in different environments, both in public-facing services and in storage facilities. At the same time, the work is shaped by changing user needs, digital development, and new ways of working that require collaboration, clear direction, and long-term thinking. You will work closely with colleagues across KB and contribute to the development of the user meeting, service operations, and accessibility of KB's collections. The role requires an interest in and great curiosity about the extensive collections that KB manages. Key Responsibilities In this role, you will lead qualified staff in a complex operation where service, quality, and collaboration are central. You create the conditions for the unit's mission to be carried out with quality, a holistic perspective, and good collaboration within KB. As unit head, you will sit on the department's management team and report to the department head. In your role and within KB's management team, you contribute to developing and implementing KB's strategic roadmap. You will: lead and develop the unit's work with user services and collection delivery have operational responsibility for the new library system being implemented in autumn 2026 be responsible for personnel, work environment, budget, and operational planning be responsible for coordinating KB's user meeting and creating good conditions for collaboration between multiple units contribute to the development of the user meeting and public-facing operations in close collaboration with other units work closely with other units and functions both within and outside KB As a manager at KB, you lead with trust and serve as a role model and culture bearer who takes overall responsibility by creating conditions for employees to develop and achieve results. You work with clarity and feedback on assignments and expectations, and you create conditions for participation, influence, and a sustainable work environment. You connect operational work to KB's vision and goals and help drive KB's development work in dialogue with colleagues, employees, and the external environment. Qualifications and Personal Qualities To succeed in this role, you need: a university degree in subject areas relevant to the Royal Library current experience working as a manager with personnel responsibility, budget responsibility, and work environment responsibility current experience leading operations with high specialist expertise and strong professional commitment experience working with user questions and user support within library operations at a library or other organization good communication skills in both speech and writing in Swedish and English Meritorious to have: current experience with operational development and change management experience from university, college, or special libraries experience with library systems or library-related operational development experience working in a state organization Personal Qualities We are looking for someone who is clear, attentive, and unpretentious in your leadership. You are secure as a person, stand firmly in the leadership role, inspire confidence, and find it easy to collaborate and build good relationships in an operation with many contact points. You are responsive and responsible, can weigh different perspectives, and approach complex situations constructively. You have a holistic perspective and the ability to create structure, direction, and participation in the operation. You maintain a respectful and professional approach and contribute to engagement and a willingness to develop together. Great emphasis is placed on personal qualities. A second opinion, security interview, and background check may be conducted with the final candidate. Employment and Start Date This is a permanent position that begins with a six-month probationary period. Start date as soon as possible or by agreement. The position is based in Stockholm with some possibility of remote work by agreement. KB operates in several locations: Stockholm, Strängnäs, and Bålsta. Application We welcome your application by August 24, 2026. In this recruitment process, we use selection questions instead of a cover letter in which you briefly describe why you are interested in this position and what you can contribute. Please be thorough with your answers so they accurately reflect your competence and experience. Contact Persons In this recruitment, KB is collaborating with Jefferson Wells. For questions about the recruitment process, please contact the responsible recruitment consultant: Katarina Thomasson, mailto:[email protected], 070-231 28 05. If you would like to know more about the position, you are welcome to contact department head Emma Stockhaus at 010-709 39 30. Trade union contact persons are May Nilsson, ST-KB, and Karl Isaksson, SACO-KB, both reachable through the switchboard at 010-709 30 00. The User Services Unit The User Services Unit consists of approximately 17 employees and student workers who, with great expertise and commitment, work to provide users access to KB's collections and services. The mission includes providing KB's collections to users, administering the library system, handling interlibrary loan requests, and coordinating KB's user meeting together with the Collections Mediation and Organization Unit. About the Royal Library The Royal Library (KB) is Sweden's national library. Our collections extend more than a thousand years back in time and grow every day. We have everything from manuscripts, books, and newspapers to music, film, and computer games. KB preserves and provides access to our cultural heritage and promotes collaboration between Sweden's libraries. Ultimately, the mission is about democracy, equality, and free opinion formation. Additionally, KB is a workplace for researchers, students, and approximately 330 employees. We offer a workplace characterized by responsibility, openness, trust, and learning. We want to provide equal opportunities for all and value equality and diversity in our operations.As unit head for the User Services Unit, you will play a central role in the Royal Library's work to provide access to collections and deliver services to researchers, professional users, and the general public. The unit is responsible for providing KB's collections (both physical and digital) to users, managing the library system, handling interlibrary loan requests, and coordinating KB's user meeting. The operations are characterized by high expertise, strong commitment, and a clear user focus. Work is carried out in several teams, on scheduled shifts and in different environments, both in…
Overview
- Type
- job
- Status
- active
- Visibility
- public
- City
- Stockholm
- GPS
- 59.336880099049, 18.074013620761
- Phone
- Published
- 4. 8. 2026
- Edited
- 5. 8. 2026