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Associate Dean, Collections & Scholarly Communication - University of Utah

Location: USA - UT - Salt Lake City

The University of Utah is seeking an Associate Dean for Collections & Scholarly Communication! The Associate Dean for Collections and Scholarly Communication works in close collaboration with a team of senior leaders to advise the dean and advance the library’s strategic and operational goals. All leaders at this level are expected to advocate for and cultivate an environment where diversity of thought and background are valued and the workplace culture is welcoming and inclusive. In this position, you will be responsible for providing leadership and vision related to scholarly communication, collection management, and faculty development. You will also ensure the effective and strategic administration of programs and activities related to teaching, reference, and academic outreach; copyright, digital scholarship, and the institutional repository; cataloging, acquisitions, and ILS discovery.

Associate Deans are encouraged to find creative ways to integrate library initiatives with the campus vision and priorities, so you will cultivate partnerships among the three University Libraries and across the entire University. Effectiveness in this role also means staying current on developments in the field and maintaining a national and international profile/presence to represent the institution in important conversations about the future of scholarly communication. This position is responsible for overseeing multiple departments where approximately half of our faculty are currently assigned, as well as a number of staff. Coaching managers and navigating personnel issues will be a prominent aspect of the role and will require understanding multiple perspectives, balancing multiple interests, and managing difficult conversations. The position requires someone who can work effectively across organizational lines to accomplish shared goals and communicate effectively with people from all backgrounds. Working in a fast-paced, future-oriented research environment requires adapting to changing needs and priorities while using interpersonal skills to maintain positive relationships.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Oversee collection development, acquisitions, and serials; digital scholarship, copyright, institutional repository, and ILS discovery; outreach, teaching, reference and subject liaison activity
  • Lead initiatives related to faculty and staff growth and development including faculty promotion processes, mentorship and coaching, and professional development opportunities;
  • Develop relationships among the University Libraries, across the University, and within the broader professional sphere;
  • Represent the library locally, nationally, and internationally on all matters related to areas of responsibility;
  • Work closely with the Dean and Associate/Assistant Deans, engaging in shared decision making around personnel actions, resource management, and development of policies;
  • Develop and implement strategic initiatives that support the vision and mission of the library and University;
  • Address personnel issues in a timely, empathetic, and professional manner to ensure that employees are supported and University policies/procedures are followed

The University of Utah seeks qualified applicants who also bring perspectives and experiences that will enrich and strengthen our organization. We invite applications from candidates who may not have followed a traditional educational or professional path. All candidates should be prepared to discuss how they see themselves contributing to the University’s equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts. The library serves an increasingly diverse constituency of users, and our employees, services, collections, and policies should honor and reflect this diversity. We are therefore interested in identifying and interviewing candidates who have experience with underserved or marginalized communities and communities of color and who are committed to advancing our mission to provide equitable access to information resources and providing a collection that authentically reflects the perspectives of diverse communities


Required Qualifications

  • ALA-accredited MLS/MLIS or the equivalent combination of a relevant degree and experience working in an academic library.
  • Evidence of ability to meet the professional requirements of a tenure-track position through research, librarianship, and service.
  • Appointment at either the Associate Librarian or Librarian rank will require advanced research and librarianship to qualify for tenure at the time of appointment.
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with library colleagues and the campus community.
  • Exceptional communication and problem-solving skills.
  • Commitment to fostering a diverse educational environment and ability to work with a diverse student and faculty population.


Preferred Qualifications

  • Strong record of engagement with scholarly communication at the institutional and national levels.
  • Evidence of success in an administrative leadership role and successful history of managing people.
  • Familiarity with issues related to Research 1 university libraries.


The duties, qualifications, and preferences listed in this posting are intended to give applicants an understanding of the role we are seeking to fill and the types of skills, experience, and education that may have prepared someone to be effective in this role. We do not expect any candidate to be a perfect match for this list or to perform all of the duties with equal proficiency on day one. In your resume and cover letter, please highlight the most relevant qualifications you would bring to this position based on the posting, and tell us how your background, perspective, and experience will help us fulfill our mission and meet our goals.

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications, at a minimum of $150,000.

Application instructions:

Posting Link: https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/119571

For information or inquiries about this position, please contact Melanie Hawks, Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion/Director of Library Human Resources. [email protected]
For full consideration, apply by August 15, 2021.