Head of the Children and Youth Area at Sønderborg Library

Do you want to create a love of reading, strong communities and a library that reaches even more children and young people?

We are seeking an engaged and development-oriented leader for the Children & Youth area, who will spearhead the library's work with children and young people – from the youngest children's first encounter with literature to the young people's independent use of the library as a cultural institution, learning space and meeting place.

You will have staff responsibility for eight employees and responsibility for the professional development, coordination and daily operation of the area. You must create clear direction for the staff's work and ensure that we convert our ambitions into concrete activities, measurable results and offerings that make a difference for children and young people.

A significant part of the task is to develop the library's role in the local community through close and binding collaboration with kindergartens, schools, youth education and other cultural institutions.

You will be part of the library's management team and actively contribute to the development of the library's common direction and priorities.

Your main tasks

• Leadership and staff development

You must create the framework for eight employees to succeed with both daily operations and the professional development of the area. You do not have independent budget responsibility, but you must be able to prioritize tasks and resources within the given organizational framework.

• Reading enthusiasm and literature dissemination

You must lead a targeted effort that strengthens children's and young people's encounter with literature and creates a desire to read – both in and outside the library.

• Development of the youth area

You have a central task in developing the library's offerings to young people so that the library is perceived as relevant, attractive and meaningful for more young people.

• Audience development and new target groups

You must work strategically to develop the library's offerings so that they reach more children, young people and families – including groups that do not already use the library.

• Partnerships and cross-sector collaboration

The collaboration with kindergartens, schools and other cultural institutions is a significant part of the position. You must strengthen existing partnerships and develop new collaborations that promote reading enthusiasm, cultural experiences and the participation of children and young people in the library's offerings.

Who are you?

We are looking for a clear and engaged leader who can create direction, motivation and professional development among the staff and translate strategic ambitions into concrete results.

We expect that you

• Have relevant leadership experience and experience with personnel management.
• Have a relevant educational background within, for example, library science, cultural dissemination or pedagogy.
• Have a diploma in leadership or are willing to obtain one.
• Can work purposefully with reading enthusiasm, the youth area and audience development.
• Have strong collaboration skills and can create results through partnerships with kindergartens, schools and cultural institutions.
• Can translate strategic goals into concrete actions and follow up on the results.
• You work structured, communicate clearly and manage to balance daily operations with professional development and new initiatives.
• Workplace: Library Sønderborg
• Working hours: 37 hours per week
• Start date: Monday 4 January 2027
• Application deadline: Wednesday 11 November 2026
• Interviews: Wednesday 25 November 2026
• Salary and terms of employment: According to applicable collective agreement and local salary formation principles.

If you want to know more about the position, you are welcome to contact city librarian Carsten Dalgas

[email protected].

Submit your application and CV no later than Wednesday 11 November 2026 at 09:00.

We look forward to hearing from you.

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Sønderborg Municipality - a workplace of world-class

Sønderborg Municipality is an ambitious workplace community where we make a difference together and create an even better local community.

Whether you are helping to realize our visions, political decisions or delivering core services of the highest quality close to citizens, you will be recognized for your effort and your engagement.

We invest in you through ongoing competence development and a spot on talent, so you develop and reach your full potential through a whole career.

We have the courage to turn things on their head in solving both small and large challenges. It provides new perspectives and a view for innovative solutions.

We work closely with local businesses to promote growth and green development in our area, which creates a dynamic and inspiring workplace.

We are a workplace with a high degree of flexibility, which gives room for both career and leisure.

Read Sønderborg Municipality's personnel policy values and Leadership framework

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