Associate Dean for Research & Academic Success

The University of Oklahoma Libraries invites applications for an assistant or associate professor to serve as Associate Dean for Research & Academic Success. We seek an innovative, collaborative, experienced, and motivated individual to provide leadership and vision in designing and implementing an integrated strategy and creative, sustainable approaches to building and managing research library collections, from selection and acquisition, through metadata and discovery, to storage and delivery of materials and providing services including instruction, circulation and liaison support. This position leads goal setting, planning, prioritization, design, and monitoring of workflows within five major library units; builds relationships and effectively engages with internal and external library partners; explores and advocates for new and emerging tools and procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness in service to library users. This position directly supervises two senior directors.

The Associate Dean for Research and Academic Success reports directly to the Dean of University Libraries and serves as a member of the University Libraries’ senior administrative team to cooperatively set and meet strategic and operational goals and objectives and to effectively manage change. The Associate Dean is responsible for strategic direction and support for the work of fifty divisional personnel in the operational areas of acquisitions, description and access, liaison & instructional services, user services, three branch libraries, and storage & delivery.

The Associate Dean demonstrates strong leadership skills, including excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills, to establish and maintain productive working relationships with colleagues in an environment where flexibility and collaboration are essential. A strong commitment to providing excellent service, a demonstrated ability to develop and sustain productive partnerships within and across organizations, budgeting, and creativity in solving problems and creating efficiencies is expected of this position. The Associate Dean must maintain a deep knowledge of current issues and best practices for developing managing research collections, as well as awareness of major trends in publishing, higher education, and research libraries.

Position Expectations

·       Provides collaborative leadership through shared decision-making at the senior  administrative level and for the units comprising the division consisting of eight faculty  librarian positions, twenty professional librarian positions and twenty-two classified staff  positions.

·       Contributes domain knowledge and experience to senior administrative organization- wide planning and strategy-development.

·       Understands and provides guidance pertaining to current issues in developing and  managing research library services and collections.

·       Oversees holistic relevant budgeting strategies within the larger context of emerging trends and new definitions of services and collections.

·       Analyzes relevant data and plans accordingly for the allocation/reallocation of resources to meet current, and prepare for future, institutional needs.

·       Fosters the growth and development of library personnel within the division to benefit personnel and the effectiveness of the Libraries.

·       Effectively engages with external and internal partners.

Position Responsibilities

·       Oversees the activities of managers of five library units, including hiring, training, scheduling, and performance management.

·       Ensure unit and divisional goals align with library and university strategic initiatives.  Actively participate in strategic planning and relevant assessment activities.

·       Advocate for, lead, and support the development and implementation of innovative tools and workflows to meet internal and external user needs and support OU Libraries’ mission.

·       Consult closely with relevant personnel on library materials budgeting staffing needs to meet current and emerging needs in support of print and electronic collections, as well as open access initiatives.

·       Represent libraries and the University as assigned to relevant institutional, regional, and national organizations and initiatives.

·       Provide direction for and publicly represent relevant services and collection strategy decisions, especially regarding high-visibility commitments and projects.

·       Strategically deploy and promote the development of relevant expertise across Libraries units to enhance resource discovery and the end-user experience.

·       Oversee and promote the maintenance of library physical collections, both circulating and in storage, as well as electronic collections.

·       Provide leadership for the scholarly and instructional functions of the University Libraries, guiding and advancing library programs to support student success for undergraduate and graduate learners.

·       Ensure prioritization of positive, accessible user experiences for all users through the development of programs, services, and tools.

·       Collaboratively facilitate the development of academic and research collaborations with faculty across academic units at OU, ensuring the alignment of library services with   academic needs across the university.

·       Guide the provision of resource sharing capabilities and commitments.

·       Develop and maintain knowledge about new and emerging technologies and trends impacting research library services and collections.

Professional Contributions and Activity

·       Serve as a leader and/or active member of library teams, task forces and committees.  Represent OU Libraries and participate in campus-wide initiatives as appropriate.

·       Participate in and represent OU Libraries in local, regional, and national professional activities.

·       Engage in research/scholarship/creative activities to disseminate knowledge and expertise.

·       Master’s degree in library science or equivalent or an advanced degree in a relevant field.

·       At least 5 years of academic library experience managing at least one large area of organizational focus (such as scholar/public services, acquisitions & collections, description & access, storage & delivery)

·       At least five years managing full-time faculty, librarian and/or staff positions.

·       Demonstrated experience managing projects, workflows, and deadlines in a collegial, complex and changing environment.

·       Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with students, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders.

·       Ability to make effective public presentations and to communicate complex ideas.

·       Strong organizational skills and ability to plan, implement, and evaluate new services initiatives and meet deadlines.

·       Ability to collect, analyze, and utilize and communicate data for informed decision-making.

·       Experience with one or more contemporary library service platforms.

Desired Qualifications

·       Commitment to training and developing personnel.

·       Familiarity with Ex Libris Alma, ILLiad or similar, and inventory management products.

·       Experience with publisher and vendor negotiations, or vendor relations experience.

·       Significant senior leadership or managerial experience overseeing relevant multi-department program clusters across scholar services and/or collections.

·       Leadership over a significant initiative, partnership, or collaboration in an academic library and /or with institutional initiatives.

·       Demonstrated interest in continued professional and leadership development.