Jan(et) Wilkinson

A strong and energetic strategic leader with a career in senior management spanning over30 years, gained primarily within the research, education and information sectors. A highly committed, decisive and purposeful professional, with an ability to juggle multiple demands. Tenacious in communicating and creating momentum to achieve agreed and tangible outcomes. Robust and reliable, with a confident ability to take decisions and to bear responsibility. Highly supportive, loyal and empathetic. Easily engages with others, encourages discussion, and diligently nurtures and sustains networks, and teams, relating to others with sincerity and trust. Highly organised, focused and collaborative in approach which naturally invites others to follow. Predisposed to seek the wisdom and experience of others to leverage her own decision-making and judgements. Driven to succeed.

• Leadership Programme Director for pan-European Research Library consortium (LIBER) 2012 to 2024
• Leadership consultant in an international context – Europe, Middle East, South Africa
• Course Director for TICER (Netherlands) International Summer School - Change Management for 6 years
• Held matrix role with authority right across large (2300 staff) NDPB (British Library). Developed an audience focus for the National Library in this sector, where none had existed previously
• Led 300+ staff through major change programmes (Universities of Leeds and Manchester)
• Introduced new customer service focus to very traditional, inward-looking organi
• Major contributor to the British Library Corporate Plan
• Took responsibility for large, urgent and often difficult programmes resulting in far more modern and professional approach to service delivery
• Led organisational redevelopments, followed by programmes of continuous improvement
• Published a number of journal articles, and given presentations on this subj
• Highly experienced people manager - largest 320
• Substantial experience of writing and talking to wide range of stakeholder audiences
• Invited to speak at numerous national and international events on behalf of many organizations.
• Responsible for planning & management of a budget of £25 million plus large estate
• At the British Library, built a small team from scratch to deliver new strategy for HE
• Fundraising experience - philanthropic & grant-giving
• Initiated a major building redevelopment project at the LSE (1993)
• Raised £12 million through high level networking & funding proposals (by 1998)
• Used to working with high net worth donors:
• Invited to present to a personal foundation board (1997) of a prominent UK LSE alumnus (£1m)
• Considerable experience of large and small, formal and informal committees, both internal and external to employer organisation
• Proven ability to formulate proposals, provide advice, briefings, and information to influence the outcome of carefully managed strategic agendas.
• The only non-marketer in a senior and very experienced Strategic Marketing & Communications Directorate (British Library). Focused on raising the profile of Library services to researchers, influencing its political stakeholders (DCMS, DFES, DTI) and influencing Vice-Chancellors, Funding/Research Councils, JISC, RIN, Board members and patrons.
• Leading campaigns and events organization, dinners and receptions to reach key stakeholder groups
• Experience of dealing with the press, hosting events, and generally playing an ambassadorial role to add to, and cultivate, prospects.