Associate Dean for Scholarly Communication and Collections

InsideHigherEdDenver, Colorado, United States

15 days ago

Job type

Full-time

Job description

Associate Dean for Scholarly Communication and Collections

Job No : 498323

Work Type : Faculty Full-Time

Location : Denver, CO

Categories : Library Professionals, Faculty

The University of Denver Libraries, comprised of the Main Library at the Anderson Academic Commons, the Bonfils-Stanton Music Library in the Newman Center, and the off-site Hampden Center storage facility, is a highly collaborative, team-based organization that serves a diverse population, ranging from our students, staff, and faculty to public and other academic patrons from around the country and the surrounding region. The Anderson Academic Commons is the campus centerpiece for collaborative, technology-infused teaching, learning, and engagement. Consistently ranked near the top of the Princeton Review's Best College Library list, the University of Denver Libraries are central to discovery and creative interaction among students and faculty, and provide collections, services, personnel, and systems that support the teaching and research programs of the University. The institution is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally inclusive community of faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment.

At 5,280 feet, Denver is located where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains. In the Mile High City, you can expect to enjoy 300 days of sunshine, greenspace and parks, a thriving cultural scene, beautiful architecture and spectacular views of the mountain panorama near the city. To learn more, visit : visitdenver.com

Position Summary

Reporting to the Dean of the University Libraries, this position serves as the Associate Dean for Scholarly Communication and Collections Services. The Associate Dean carries overall leadership responsibility for collections and scholarly communication. The Associate Dean is expected to guide strategic planning, develop programs, and manage services in support of discovery and access to scholarly resources, whether licensed, purchased, or openly available. Specific areas of responsibility include acquisitions, collection development, data services, e-resources management, metadata and materials processing, open access initiatives, scholarly communication, and technology. This position is responsible for personnel management and performance reviews for library faculty and staff in its reporting line.

Essential Functions

Works collaboratively with the library leadership and other committees and groups as appropriate to plan, implement, and assess Libraries-wide strategic initiatives, vision, mission, and values.
Serves as a leader and works in collaboration within the Libraries and on campus in the areas of library collections, scholarly communication, bibliographic services, and data services.
As one of two Associate Deans, provides administrative oversight, supervision, support and continuity planning for direct reports.
Works with Dean's Office team on pressing issues related to facilities or services.
Works to build an adaptive, team-oriented, and forward-thinking organization.
Represents, celebrates, and effectively advocates for the work of Libraries employees.
Represents the Dean at the campus level and beyond when needed, to include travel to meetings and conferences.
Leads and participates in Libraries initiatives related to inclusion and building community.
Co-Chairs Associate Deans Leadership Team and leads other management groups, committees, and teams, as appropriate.
Collaborates with Libraries service points and Anderson Academic Commons service partners to build cohesive academic support services for students and faculty.
As a library faculty member, works in accord with the promotion guidelines, and engages in scholarly activities through research and publication, participates in national and regional professional organizations, serves on library committees, teams, and task forces, and engages in University service.

The Associate Dean directly supervises the work of seven faculty librarians :

Coordinator of Cataloging and Metadata Services

Digital Initiatives Librarian

Digital User Experience Librarian

Digital Collections Librarian

Collections & Content Management Librarian

Data Services Librarian

Scholarly Communications Librarian

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Demonstrates the ability to actively engage in the library organization through leadership and collaboration on teams, task forces, and committees

Develops and leads strategic initiatives that support the library's and university's mission, goals, and programs.

Able to work independently and collaboratively with transparency and confidentiality

Able to strategically analyze, organize, and prioritize work both individually and in group settings.

Excellent active listening, public speaking, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

Demonstrates integrity, initiative, and compassion while adapting to changing needs and managing conflict constructively, balancing individual dignity with the goals of the Libraries.

Ability to lead and empower faculty, staff, students, and community members, soliciting and incorporating feedback through inclusive decision making.

Ability to use knowledge, experience, awareness, and skills to advance the Libraries' commitment to inclusion and effectively engage with a broad spectrum of colleagues and community members.

Demonstrated experience building and maintaining collaborations and workflows across public and technical services units in an academic library.

Strong understanding of best practices and current trends in academic publishing, library technology, scholarly communication, data services, and collection development and management.

Possesses knowledge of acquisitions and licensing processes with experience negotiating with vendors, along with a working knowledge of information technology, electronic resources, and emerging metadata standards.

Ability to commit to the standards of professional behavior and responsibility as stated in the university's Guidelines for Appointment, Promotion, & Tenure

Required Qualifications

ALA accredited Master's degree in Library and Information Science or equivalent international Master's degree in Library Science / Information Studies.

Minimum of five years of progressive leadership and management experience in an academic library (e.g. this may include chairing significant committees, strategic planning groups, academic or programmatic reviews, substantive policy changes, reorganizations, budget reduction or increase, service adaptations through pandemic, etc.)

Three years direct supervisory experience.

Demonstrated success in mentoring and empowering supervisees and / or team members.

Evidence of previous work advancing commitments to inclusion and building community in library services and / or organizations.

Combination of experience, professional service, and scholarly activity that will allow appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor.

Preferred Qualifications

Three years direct supervisory experience of librarians with faculty or similar status.

Understanding and appreciation for the interdisciplinary work of libraries, librarians, and staff.

Experience effectively collaborating across library departments (e.g. technical services, facilities, physical and / or virtual service points, etc.)

Experience with library budgets.

Experience with collaborative collection development and / or leadership within state and regional consortia or library membership organizations.

Working Environment

The work environment is an academic library that values an inclusive workforce. There are cyclical periods of increased workloads during the academic year, and attention is paid to ergonomics and safety. Library employees collaborate across a flexible hybrid and team-based organization. The University of Denver and University Libraries offer a progressive flexible work policy that permits remote work, which can be negotiated between the employee and their supervisor.

Physical Activities

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Must be able to work for extended periods of time at a computer workstation.

Work Schedule

While the University's administrative offices are open Monday - Friday, 8 : 00 am - 4 : 30 pm, faculty schedules vary from term to term and are based on requirements of job duties, service commitments, and research agendas. The University's academic calendars are posted on the registrar's website (the law school is on a semester system and has a different academic calendar ).

Application Deadline

For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4 : 00 p.m. (MST) January 16, 2026.

Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number

The salary grade for the position is UC.

Salary Rate

The salary rate for this position is $120,000.00.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate's sex or any other protected status.

Benefits

The University of Denver offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver .

Please include the following documents with your application :

Curriculum Vitae

Cover Letter that addresses how your career has prepared you to meet all required and any preferred experiences for this position. Also, we are seeking candidates who are committed to advancing inclusion and building community in library services and / or organizations. In the body of your cover letter, please share at least one specific example where you have actively supported and contributed to those efforts. This example could come from your job experience, internships, coursework, etc.

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University's educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and / or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement .

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.

To apply, visit https : / / jobs.du.edu / en-us / job / 498323

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Associate Dean • Denver, Colorado, United States