Dean and University Librarian

DEAN AND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIAN

The University of Cincinnati seeks a visionary and dynamic leader to serve as Dean and University Librarian. Reporting directly to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean is the chief administrator over numerous venues, facilities, collections, and oversees a diverse faculty and staff. The Dean is also a member of the Council of Deans and actively participates in the governance of the university. As the intellectual and administrative leader of the Libraries, the next Dean will play a key role in developing new ideas and forging consensus among stakeholders to build upon current and past successes and further strengthen the Libraries’ presence on campus.

The Dean will serve a critical role in supporting the university’s strategic direction Next Lives Here (LINK) and its growth as a premier public research university. Within the University, the Dean operates as a thought leader who partners with other deans, senior administration, faculty, staff, and students to ensure that the Libraries elevate all aspects of UC’s core educational and research enterprise, whether it be in the classroom, in community partnerships, or in creative endeavors. As such, the Dean coordinates the daily operations of 10 different library loca­­tions. The Dean also collaborates closely with the library directors of two regional campus libraries, UC Blue Ash and UC Clermont, and the Law Library director. The Dean also will lead in outreach/service and engagement by communicating the partnerships and outreach of the Libraries with the broader academic community. They will advocate, both inside and outside the university, for the support needed to achieve the Libraries’ mission and goals; to enhance existing resources; and to elevate the functions and growth of library services. In addition, the Dean will be tasked with continuing the process of innovation, integration of knowledge dissemination across platforms. For more information, see https://libraries.uc.edu/

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Understand the relationship of the Libraries to the University at large, and work effectively and cooperatively to foster that relationship;
  • Develop a strategic plan that reflects a well-thought-out assessment of the future of the university libraries in the contemporary higher education panorama;
  • With regards to such strategic plan, conceptualize a vision of the Libraries’ future that will motivate the staff and faculty and inspire students; equally important is the ability to articulate this vision in terms of measurable goals and a culture of accountability in which results against the goals are reported and accounted for;
  • Articulate, advocate for, and otherwise support academic priorities in line with NEXT Lives Here (the University’s strategic direction), furthering the University's status as a world-class research and teaching institution;
  • Provide effective leadership and active guidance while facilitating success in fulfilling the Libraries’ mission at a public, Research 1 university;
  • Strengthen existing programs and develop new ones to meet the needs of the community;
  • Attract and retain staff and faculty of the highest caliber, providing an environment conducive to professional development and is inclusive to support an outstanding faculty and student body;
  • Build strong external relationships, enhancing those among the Libraries’, the University, Cincinnati’s dynamic and diverse community, and the international arena by engaging in activities designed to raise research opportunities and private support;
  • Build, maintain, and strengthen relationships and interdisciplinary collaboration across the campus;

REQUIREMENTS

A candidate must possess at minimum a Master’s in Library or Information Sciences from an American Library Association or internationally accredited program and 5-8 years of library experience, including at least 3 years of administrative or leadership experience. The candidate shall meet requirements for tenure and appointment to the Library Faculty at the rank of Senior Librarian. Additionally, candidates must also demonstrate successful experience in most if not all the following areas:

  • Administrative experience, preferably at a major research institution similar in scope to the University of Cincinnati;
  • A commitment to excellence in all areas of the University’s mission;
  • The ability to recruit and retain excellent and diverse faculty and staff in support of a diverse and inclusive community;
  • Successful administrative and budgetary/financial experience;
  • A management style that is emotionally intelligent, inclusive, and decisive, and provides leadership by example;
  • Personal and professional qualities of integrity, compassion, collaboration, intellectual curiosity, honesty, fairness, fortitude, patience and perseverance;
  • A history of sustained success and leadership in library activities;
  • Fundraising experience and success;
  • Effective interpersonal and communication skills;
  • An entrepreneurial orientation combined with boldness, imagination and abundant energy;
  • Strong understanding of the challenges and issues facing libraries and higher education;
  • A firm grasp of the opportunities and advantages of the University’s urban setting; and
  • Proven effectiveness in team-building and enabling collaborative engagement that transcends disciplines and initiatives to create sustained success.

ABOUT UC & CINCINNATI

Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati is leading urban, public universities into a new era of innovation and impact. As the global founder of cooperative education, UC remains a world-class leader in experience-based learning. U.S. News & World Report ranks UC’s co-op/internship program No. 1 in the country among public universities. The university boasts 200 years of history as a research pioneer, with a culture strongly emphasizing collaboration. UC is a Research 1 Institution (Carnegie Classification) and the National Science Foundation places UC at No. 33 among America’s public research universities. Learn more at uc.edu.

The City of Cincinnati was rated a Best Place to live by U.S. News & World Report and provides both urban and suburban life, as well as river views and rolling hills. With a regional population of more than 2.2 million, our big-city amenities include professional sports, world-class entertainment, a vibrant arts scene, gorgeous parks and nature trails, acclaimed museums, a celebrated zoo, a variety of restaurants and a flourishing riverfront scene – along with plenty of Midwest charm. U.S. News & World Report ranks Cincinnati as No. 13 on their list of “Best Affordable Places to live in the U.S.”. Just as the University of Cincinnati’s momentum has never been stronger, the city of Cincinnati is also on a rise to new heights. With a revitalized and vibrant urban core, endless entertainment options and a high quality of life for the whole family, we are dedicated to attracting the best and brightest faculty to Cincinnati.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The Search Committee invites nominations, applications (letter of interest, full resume/CV, and contact information for at least five references), or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm.

Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. It is preferred, however, that all nominations and applications be submitted prior to February 1, 2023. For additional information, please contact:

Porsha Williams, Vice President
Erin Raines, Senior Principal
Parker Executive Search
Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875
Atlanta, GA 30328
770-804-1996 ext.: 117
pwilliams@parkersearch.com || eraines@parkersearch.com

The University of Cincinnati is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer / M / F / Veteran / Disabled.