Associate Dean for Collections

University of Cincinnati   Cincinnati, OH   Full-time     Education
Posted on May 1, 2024
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Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati ranks among the nation's best urban public research universities. Home to more than 50,000 students, 11,000 faculty and staff and 340,000 alumni, UC combines a Top 35 public research university with a physical setting The New York Times calls “the most ambitious campus design program in the country.”

With the launch of Next Lives Here, the Cincinnati Innovation District, a $100 million JobsOhio investment, nine straight years of record enrollment, worldwide leadership in cooperative education, a dynamic academic health center and entry into the Big 12 Conference, UC's momentum has never been stronger. UC's annual budget tops $1.65 billion and its endowment totals $1.8 billion. The University's overall regional economic impact exceeds $10.6 billion, paving the way for the future of Cincinnati.

About the University of Cincinnati

The AD reports directly to the Dean and University Librarian. The AD has responsibility and authority for managing general collections, special collections & archives, and preservation within the UC Libraries. In addition, the AD serves as the senior administrator for the Archives & Rare Books Library, Classics Library, and College-Conservatory of Music Library.

Job Overview

The University of Cincinnati Libraries seeks a strategic, outcomes-focused leader to fill the Associate Dean for Collections (AD) position. The AD will join the senior leadership team and be a part of continuing the transformation of the research library at the university. As a member of the senior leadership team, the AD works collaboratively to realize the UC Libraries vision and strategic directions.

The AD champions the implementation of the UC Libraries strategic plan and takes responsibility for meeting goals pertaining to collection management, preservation, and special collections. The AD has programmatic, strategic, budgetary, managerial, and operational responsibilities for the following libraries and departments in the University of Cincinnati Libraries: Collections, Content Services, Preservation, the Archives & Rare Books Library, Classics Library, and College-Conservatory of Music Library.

Other management portfolios may be assigned as the organization adapts to meet the needs of a growing campus community. The AD will develop programs and initiatives for UC Libraries and build collaborative partnerships beyond the organization to move UC Libraries toward its goals.

Essential Functions
  • Collaborates with the Dean and senior leaders to identify UC Libraries' needs, establish priorities, and develop goals, objectives, actions, and measures of success.
  • Takes ownership of goals and initiatives within the strategic plan that relate to areas of responsibility.
  • Leads the overall strategy and direction for units associated with collections, including acquisitions, metadata, digital projects and digitization, e-resource management, physical collections management, and preservation.
  • Develops and implements policies, procedures, and best practices surrounding collection development and content strategy, including acquisition, licensing, description, preservation, and withdrawal.
  • Promotes the accessibility and use of special collections and archives to provide distinctive materials for learning and research.
  • Plans and administers UC Libraries' collections budget; collaborates with the business office and Content Services on budget reporting, monitoring and forecasting, invoice payment, and fiscal year open/close.
  • Determines budget allocations for UCL selectors and offers direction on budgets, renewals and licensing, vendor relations, and related topics.
  • Serves as the primary contact for vendors around a wide range of collections and related items paid on collections funds.
  • Collaborates with internal UC offices, such as the Office of General Counsel, on processing license agreements and contracts related to collections.
  • Collaborates with the UC Controller's Office and Enterprise Risk Management regarding library collections valuation and statistics for the purpose of capital asset calculation and property insurance determination.
Essential Functions (cont'd)
  • Collaborates with department heads and the Associate Dean for Operations & User Services on facilities improvements with an emphasis on accessibility and safety.
  • Represents UC Libraries on relevant OhioLINK committees for collections and leads strategies for collaborative collections.
  • Promotes a culture of evidence-based decision making through developing and supportingevaluation and assessment in areas of responsibility.
  • Leads the development of collections statistics for annual reporting to national agencies and professional associations.
  • Recruits, hires, evaluates, develops, and retainsfaculty and staff which meet or exceed user expectations.
  • Achieves organizational effectiveness through the successful management of financial and personnel resources.
  • Fosters a culture of excellence through creating a respectfulworkplace environment.
  • Chairs and serves on committees related to areas of responsibility or assigned by the Dean.
  • Represents UC Libraries at regional, national, and global professional engagements with the expectation of raising UC Library's visibility and reputation.
Required Education

Graduate degree in Library and Information Science or an advanced degree in a relevant field.

Required Experience
  • Progressive leadership and management experience, including senior level management experience in an academic research library or equivalent.
  • Experience with collections management in an academic library setting.
  • Knowledge of higher education, including emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities.
  • Leading change across an organization, including, but not limited to within a culture of higher education and in collaboration with a variety of individuals and groups.
  • Superior interpersonal and communication skills, especially in understanding user needs and motivating team members. Strong written, oral, and listening skills needed to establish dialogue with faculty, staff, and students.
  • Demonstrated complex analytical, problem-solving and project management skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to cultivate and advocate for an environment ofexcellence.
Additional Qualifications Considered
  • Evidence of previous scholarly activities including publications, presentations, and professional association participation at the regional, national, and international level.
  • Prior success in writing grant proposals and successful grant administration.
  • Experience in the promotion of distinctive collections.
  • Demonstrated experience and leadership in developing complex and collaborative projects.
Physical Requirements/Work Environment
  • Office environment/no specific unusual physical or environmental demands.
Application Process

Applications without a cover letter and CV/Resume will not be considered for the position. 3 references will be checked during final stages.

Compensation and Benefits

UC offers a wide array of complementary and affordable benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, health, and wellness needs of you and your family. Eligibility varies by position and FTE.
  • Competitive salary range of $130k - $150kdependent on the candidate's experience.
  • Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
  • Flexible spending accounts and an award-winning employee wellness program, plus an employee assistance program.
  • Financial security via our life and long-term disability insurance, accident and illness insurance, and retirement savings plans.
  • Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, annual holidays, and winter season days in addition to paid parental leave.
  • Tuition remission is available for employees and their eligible dependents.
  • Enjoy discounts for on and off-campus activities and services.
For questions about the UC recruiting process or to request accommodations with the application, please contact Human Resources at jobs@uc.edu.

The University of Cincinnati is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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