Dean of University Libraries (Dean)

The University of Alabama at Birmingham seeks an exceptional and ambitious leader to be the next Dean of University Libraries (Dean).  Reporting to the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost and a member of the Dean’s Council, the Dean provides intellectual, strategic, and visionary leadership for the University Libraries comprised of two libraries, the Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences and the Mervyn H. Sterne Library.  The Dean is the chief administrative and academic officer of the University Libraries and is responsible for leading the Libraries’ current and future efforts to cultivate scholars, students, and members of the public who are critical users, and creators of information in all its forms. 

 

The Dean serves as the Libraries’ public voice and advocate, developing their reputation and expertise on a regional and national stage and within the profession.  In addition, the Dean will seek out opportunities for partnerships and collaborations within the region and nationally.  This is an exciting time to be at The University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the next Dean will have support from leadership to continue investments in digital initiatives and resources creating a dynamic modern library proactively supporting the faculty, staff, students and the community of a university named #1 Young University two years in a row by Times Higher Education. 

 

UAB serves students, patients, the community and the global need for discovery, knowledge dissemination, education, creativity and the application of ground breaking solutions.  A leader among comprehensive public, urban research universities with academic medical centers, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) traces its roots to the 1859 founding of the Medical College of Alabama and the 1936 opening of the Birmingham Extension Center of The University of Alabama.  In 1966, these entities were merged, and in 1969 UAB became an independent institution, one of the autonomous universities within the newly created three-campus University of Alabama System. As the University celebrates its 50th year, UAB has transformed from its modest beginnings into a doctoral research university and academic medical center with nearly 22,000 students, $527 million in research expenditures, and treatment of more than 1,000,000 patients every year in one of the largest academic medical centers in the U.S. Throughout that time, the vision has remained constant: to educate, advance discovery, care for the sick, respond to the needs of the community and establish Alabama as a progressive economic center that can change the world.

 

UAB’s vision, mission, and shared values provide the foundation of the strategic plan, Forging the Future, a plan for the next five years of growth.  UAB’s four mission pillars include goals in education, research, innovation & economic development, community engagement, and patient care.  Read about the plan here:  https://www.uab.edu/plan/. For more information about UAB visit the website at www.uab.edu and https://www.uab.edu/didyouknow/

 

The University Libraries is the intellectual heart of a vibrant campus community and, as is the rest of the campus, is in a period of exciting change.  The Dean will report to Dr. Pam Benoit who became the Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost in May 2017, as the university strategic roadmap, Forging the Future, was being developed.  The Dean plays a pivotal role in defining the Libraries’ place in that plan.  University Libraries faculty and staff are key partners in campus-wide efforts to advance teaching and learning, research partnerships, and academic support for students.  The Dean will also align and build its strengths with campus goals and within the context of dynamic information collaboration environments.  The Dean will join the University Libraries at an exciting time of opportunity to collaborate creatively across campus and beyond to advance the Libraries, advance their service mission and role as thought partner, building alliances to support and enhance the evolving needs of researchers, educators, students, users, and innovators.

 

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following qualities and experiences in alignment with UAB shared values of integrity, respect, diversity and inclusiveness, collaboration, excellence and achievement, stewardship, and accountability. Additionally, the successful candidate will have a terminal degree appropriate for the role of Dean, such as MLS or doctorate. The full position profile can be found here.

 

The University of Alabama at Birmingham has engaged Koya Leadership Partners to help in this search. Please submit applications, expressions of interest, and nominations to Beth Schaefer and Charlotte Harris here. A pre-employment background check investigation is performed on candidates selected for employment. UAB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and family-friendly environment in which all faculty and staff can excel and achieve work/life balance irrespective of, race, national origin, age, genetic or family medical history, gender, faith, gender identity and expression as well as sexual orientation. UAB also encourages applications from individuals with disabilities and veterans.

 

Koya Leadership Partners is a national retained executive search and human capital consulting firm that works exclusively with higher education, nonprofits and social enterprises. We deliver measurable results, finding exceptionally talented people who truly fit the unique culture of our client organizations and ensuring that organizations have the resources and strategies to support them. For more information about Koya Leadership Partners, visit www.koyapartners.com.