Dean of Libraries

Dean of Libraries

The University of Kentucky is seeking a transformative leader to serve as Dean of Libraries. The dean will lead with passion, creativity, and intelligence to cultivate an environment for interdisciplinary discovery and research, while transforming the libraries into hubs of life-long learning. This position will work collaboratively with library and academic leadership to direct the college and support the goals of Kentucky’s flagship, land-grant university’s strategic plan.

UK Libraries is central to the institution’s mission of excellence in education, research, service, and health care to enrich the lives of Kentuckians and beyond. The next dean must inspire the vision to vigorously pursue that mission by: providing vision, strategic direction, and operational leadership for the libraries and working with library faculty and staff to meet the college and university’s educational and research missions. This dean will be responsible for leading library faculty and staff to provide outstanding library services, collections, programming, content, and facilities; expanding the ability of the library to provide broader support for campus-wide digital scholarship; cultivating relationships across the university to enhance library support for  research, teaching, and learning; renovating, repurposing, and investing in library spaces to encourage creativity, exploration, and application of new ideas and demonstrating a commitment to a highly collaborative and inclusive environment, one that values and leverages the benefits of diverse perspectives to attract, recruit, and retain top library faculty and staff. The dean will lead the UK Libraries through the university's comprehensive campaign by engaging with donors and partners and developing philanthropic goals that will extend beyond the campaign. This dean will serve, along with 18 other deans, as a member of the Provost’s Council and engage in professional activities within the university and across the state, region, and nation, as well as supporting continual professional development for library faculty and staff.

At least 10 years of progressively responsible leadership and management experience in an academic library setting required. M.L.S. and/or terminal degree in field of study strongly preferred. Additionally, this dean must have experience as a transformative leader, demonstrating positive vision and effective change management; proven understanding of the complexity of a large research university with a full spectrum of academic colleges, professional schools, and an academic medical center; passion and skills for articulating the college’s mission and its role in a flagship research university; ability to attract, develop, promote, and retain world-class library faculty and staff; strong communication skills and transparency in decision making; evidence of creating and implementing a vision to advance academic, scholarly, and creative activities; demonstrated initiative and flexibility, as well as the ability to adapt library services in a rapidly changing environment; a clear understanding of the opportunities and challenges presented by the production, dissemination, and preservation of digital resources including digital scholarship, archival materials, and research data; demonstrated experience in supporting and building a diverse and inclusive environment; skills and experience to support the philanthropic role of the dean; strong portfolio of accomplished scholarly work, both independent and collaborative in nature; and active participation and leadership in state, regional, and national professional organizations.

How to Apply

Applications and nominations are now being accepted. For best consideration, please submit application materials prior to January 11, 2019. Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc. is assisting the University of Kentucky in this search. Initial screening of the applications and nominations will continue until an appointment is made. Individuals who wish to nominate a candidate should submit a letter of nomination including contact information for the nominee. Application materials should include a letter addressing how your experiences match the position requirements, including a statement regarding how you foster a diverse and inclusive environment, and a curriculum vitae or resume. Submission of materials as PDF attachments is strongly encouraged.

Inquiries, nominations, and application materials should be directed to:

Shelley Sullivan Feather, Team Leader and Managing Consultant
Ashley Hice, Senior Executive Search Consultant
Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc.
42 Business Centre Drive, Suite 206
Miramar Beach, Florida 32550
Phone: 850-650-2277 / Fax: 850-650-2272
Email: shelleyfeather@greenwoodsearch.com
Email: ashleyhice@greenwoodsearch.com

The University of Kentucky is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.  All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, religion, associational preference, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran.

For more information on the University of Kentucky, please visit http://www.uky.edu/UKHome/