Associate Director, West Manhattan Neighborhood Library Network

Application Deadline: 23 February 2025

Department: Branch Libraries

Location: Morningside Heights Library

Compensation: $120,000 - $135,000 / year

Description

Overview
The New York Public Library is seeking a dynamic, progressive and enthusiastic senior manager to provide leadership and direction to a network of neighborhood branch libraries. Each neighborhood library is staffed by a Library Manager and a team of public service professionals. These libraries serve diverse communities with a rich variety of services and programs. The ideal candidate possesses effective leadership and management skills and is knowledgeable about the administrative and programmatic operations of public libraries in an urban setting.

We are looking for someone we can count on to:

Own:

• Cultivating collaborative partnerships with City and State government officials, CBOs, prospective donors and other library systems to promote the library system and generate support for funding


• Developing and leading committees and project teams whose work is relevant to the Library's strategic initiatives

Learn:

• The communities within the Library Network
  

Improve:

• Efficiency of practices within network
  

Some expectations for this role are that within:

1 month, this person will:

• Visit all branches within the network


• Meet with all Library Managers within network


• Attend department meetings

3 months, this person will:

• Become familiar with network budget


• Meet with internal departments to discuss administrative and programmatic initiatives

6 months and beyond, this person will:

• Make recommendations regarding the maintenance and improvement of existing library services and facilities and the implementation of new services on a location-by-location basis through the analysis of user insights data, metrics and other feedback mechanisms


• Become familiar with NYPL polices and procedures


• Make suggestions regarding improvements within network


• Become familiar with performance management processes

Responsibilities
Reporting to the Manhattan Borough Director, the Associate Director, West Manhattan Neighborhood Library Network will:

• Plan, organize, and coordinate the delivery of services within a network of neighborhood branch libraries


• Regularly visit neighborhood branch libraries to provide leadership and direction to Library Managers on all aspects of the branch administration including:


• developing, updating, marketing and promoting collections, programs and services;


• developing community partnerships; and


• performance management & development of branch teams


• planning and managing library services;


• Select, manage, evaluate and develop a team of Library Managers


• Partner and strategize with other NYPL departments (administrative and programmatic) to launch new initiatives, resolve staff and operational issues, develop plans and establish annual objectives


• Respond appropriately to sensitive or controversial inquiries or complaints and other matters related to the branches within the network


• Prepare and manage budgets


• Develop and implement new departmental policies and guidelines in concert with other administrators, managers, and directors.


• Manage and maintain excellent customer service in their network; manage customer service communication within their network; ensure cross-organization participation and resource sharing/referral, participate in library renovations, service reviews, service design, etc.


• Attend professional meetings; maintain active membership in state and national library associations; participate in activities of professional organizations; keep informed on current trends and developments affecting libraries


• Perform other related duties and works on special projects as required by the Borough Director and Vice President

Required Education, Experience & Skills

Required Education & Certifications
ALA accredited Master's degree in Library and Information Studies
Required Experience

• 4 years of branch library management experience, including coaching, mentoring, developing, and managing the performance of staff


• Experience in an urban public library setting

Required Skills

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in written word with key constituencies - including senior management, staff, trustees, patrons, elected officials, and union officials


• Demonstrated ability to apply clear and reasoned judgment in a wide variety of situations and engagement with complex issues in a changing environment


• Strong collaboration and critical thinking skills


• Ability to work well with internal and external groups


• Demonstrated organizational and planning skills with the ability to successfully manage multiple tasks to completion simultaneously


• Strong customer service orientation


• Excellent project management skills and strong experience developing, managing and forecasting operational budgets


• Demonstrated experience collaborating with diverse populations, local politicians and community boards to generate support, enhance services, and meet the evolving needs of users


• Proficient with technology, including experience with Microsoft Office Suite, Gmail, social media tools and other library centric technologies

Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities
Yes

More...

Core Values
All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:

• Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues


• Be Resourceful in solving problems


• Be Curious in all aspects of your work


• Be Welcoming and Inclusive
  

Work Environment

• Requires travel within NYC


• Office setting

Physical Duties

• N/A
  

Pre-Placement Physical Required?
No

Union/Non Union
Non-Union

FLSA Status
Exempt

Schedule
35 hours a week

This job description represents the types and levels of responsibilities that will be required of the position and shall not be construed as a declaration of all of the specific duties and responsibilities for the role. Job duties may change if Library priorities change. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description as needed.

The New York Public Library Salary Statement

At the Library, we believe that pay transparency and pay equity are important to ensuring we source the best candidates and keep the best employees. When making a determination as to the appropriate salary for a candidate, we consider a variety of factors such, including, but not limited to, the position requirements, the skills, prior experience, and educational background required or preferred for the job, the scope and impact of the role within the organization, internal peer equity, and the candidate's specific training, experience, education level, and skills. No single factor is conclusive; the Library reserves the right to consider any and all relevant factors and make a decision consistent with its policies.

Union Salaries are determined by collective bargaining agreement(s).