What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate University Librarian for Research and Academic Collaboration position at Association of Research Libraries?
Washington University in St. Louis Job Location: Missouri Date Created: 01-30-2025
OVERVIEW The Washington University (WashU) Libraries seeks an experienced, collaborative leader to serve as the Associate University Librarian for the Research and Academic Collaboration Services Division (AUL). Serving an independent, R1 institution with 16,433 undergraduate and graduate students and 4,551 faculty, WashU Libraries are a powerful network of academic resources featuring nine libraries (seven locations on the Danforth campus, one on the West Campus, and one at the Medical School) that operate as a system in support of the university's research, teaching, and learning missions. POSITION SUMMARY The AUL, Research and Academic Collaboration, provides strategic leadership and direction to WashU Libraries, including strategic planning, budgeting, operations, and personnel decisions. The AUL has a strong focus on the support of scholarship, instruction, and learning and is broadly responsible for building collaborative partnerships and developing innovative approaches to library services in these areas. This includes responsibility for monitoring developments in research libraries and the broader academic sphere and working closely with library leadership and university colleagues to plan and implement innovative service models and address changing user needs. The AUL manages multiple operational units, including more than 20 subject specialist librarians, four departmental libraries (art & architecture, business, East Asian, music), and the libraries’ Information Literacy & Student Success program. This vital role reports to and works in coordination with the Vice Provost and University Librarian and serves as a member of the University Libraries Council. PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The AUL will develop and communicate a vision and incorporate innovative approaches to leading integrated programs and projects. Strategic priorities include the following. Management and Planning
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OVERVIEW The Washington University (WashU) Libraries seeks an experienced, collaborative leader to serve as the Associate University Librarian for the Research and Academic Collaboration Services Division (AUL). Serving an independent, R1 institution with 16,433 undergraduate and graduate students and 4,551 faculty, WashU Libraries are a powerful network of academic resources featuring nine libraries (seven locations on the Danforth campus, one on the West Campus, and one at the Medical School) that operate as a system in support of the university's research, teaching, and learning missions. POSITION SUMMARY The AUL, Research and Academic Collaboration, provides strategic leadership and direction to WashU Libraries, including strategic planning, budgeting, operations, and personnel decisions. The AUL has a strong focus on the support of scholarship, instruction, and learning and is broadly responsible for building collaborative partnerships and developing innovative approaches to library services in these areas. This includes responsibility for monitoring developments in research libraries and the broader academic sphere and working closely with library leadership and university colleagues to plan and implement innovative service models and address changing user needs. The AUL manages multiple operational units, including more than 20 subject specialist librarians, four departmental libraries (art & architecture, business, East Asian, music), and the libraries’ Information Literacy & Student Success program. This vital role reports to and works in coordination with the Vice Provost and University Librarian and serves as a member of the University Libraries Council. PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The AUL will develop and communicate a vision and incorporate innovative approaches to leading integrated programs and projects. Strategic priorities include the following. Management and Planning
- As a member of the libraries’ senior leadership team, contributes to the development of vision, strategy, and strategic priorities.
- Provides substantive expertise, insight, and creative thinking in library-wide planning, setting strategic initiatives, resource allocation, policy development, and evaluation of activities and services.
- Undertakes strategic budgeting and planning for the Research & Academic Collaboration division.
- Develops and implements short- and long-term goals for the Research & Academic Collaboration division per Libraries objectives.
- Manages, supports, and mentors the libraries’ team of subject-based and departmental librarians, including directly supervising unit heads.
- Works collaboratively with organizational and institutional stakeholders to identify emerging service needs supporting research and scholarship.
- Facilitates strategic development, planning, and ongoing assessment of programs within the division.
- May provide direct subject support for a relevant research area.
- Manages, supports, and mentors the libraries’ Information Literacy & Student Success team members.
- Works collaboratively with organizational and institutional stakeholders to identify emerging service needs supporting teaching and learning.
- Builds partnerships within the libraries to support teaching and learning-related work across the library organization.
- Builds partnerships beyond the libraries to ensure coordination with university-wide efforts in support of teaching and learning.
- Facilitates strategic development, planning, and ongoing assessment of programs supporting teaching & learning.
- Contributes to the profession through engagement with appropriate internal and external organizations.
- Regularly participates in professional development programs.
- Other special projects/duties as assigned.
- Graduate degree from an accredited library school or other relevant degree.
- 5 years of significant program or departmental management experience in an academic library or related academic setting.
- Master of Library Science
- Significant management experience leading an integrated/complex department or program working with libraries in public-facing services, such as research services, subject or liaison services, or similar service offerings.
- Significant experience working with consortia and shared service organizations.
- Significant experience in the supervision and management of professional staff.
- Progressively responsible management and supervisory experience in an academic library, higher education, or another relevant environment, such as business operations.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with partners and other stakeholders in collaborative planning, program development, and user-centered service delivery.
- Demonstrated knowledge of technology development and evolving user behavior in an academic environment.
- Understanding of teaching and learning practices and innovations in higher education.
- Excellent leadership, communication, interpersonal and collaborative skills.
- Commitment to and support for an inclusive, diverse environment.
- Demonstrated judgment, broad perspective, and emotional intelligence in working with organizational and institutional constituents.
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