Head of the Children and Youth area at the 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 head 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 operations of the area. You must create a clear direction for the staff's work and ensure that we translate 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/daycare, schools, upper secondary 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 the daily operations and the professional development of the area. You do not have independent budget responsibility, but you must be able to prioritise tasks and resources within the given organizational framework.

• Love of reading and literature dissemination

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

• Development of the youth area

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

• Audience development and new target groups

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

• Partnerships and cross-sector collaboration

Collaboration with kindergartens/daycare, schools and other cultural institutions is a significant part of the position. You must strengthen existing partnerships and develop new collaborations that promote a love of reading, 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 staff and translate strategic ambitions into concrete results.

We expect that you

• Have relevant leadership experience and experience with people management.
• Have a relevant educational background in, for example, library science, cultural mediation or pedagogy.
• Have a diploma in leadership or be willing to obtain one.
• Can work in a targeted way with love of reading, the youth area and audience development.
• Have strong collaboration skills and can achieve results through partnerships with kindergartens/daycare, schools and cultural institutions.
• Can translate strategic goals into concrete actions and follow up on the results.
• You work in a structured way, communicate clearly and manage to balance daily operations with professional development and new initiatives.
• Workplace: Sønderborg Library
• 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 conditions: According to the applicable collective agreement and the principles for local pay formation.

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

[email protected].

Send your application and CV no later than Wednesday 11 November 2026 at 09.00.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Sønderborg Municipality - a workplace of world-class excellence

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

Whether you are part of realizing our visions, political decisions or delivering core services of the highest quality close to citizens, you will be recognised for your effort and commitment.

We invest in you through continuous competency development and talent spotting, so you develop and reach your full potential over a lifetime of work.

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

We work closely with local businesses to promote growth and green development in our area, creating a dynamic and inspiring workplace. We are a workplace with a high degree of flexibility, which allows room for both career and leisure.

Read Sønderborg Municipality's personnel policy values and Leadership Foundation

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