University Librarian, RIT Libraries

The Position: Reporting to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and a member of the Provost Council, the University Librarian provides executive leadership and strategic direction for RIT Libraries. With 12 direct reports and 47 staff, the University Librarian is charged with the exciting opportunity to envision a library modeled for the 21st century and founded on RIT’s unique fusion of art and science. The University Librarian leads the strategic and future-minded vision for the role of a library on a technology-rich academic campus. This individual oversees the delivery of core library collections, services, and programs to the RIT community; collaborates with faculty, staff, students, and administration; represents RIT Libraries within the RIT community and on regional and national Library boards, committees, and consortia; and identifies and cultivates external relations and fundraising opportunities in support of RIT Libraries. The University Librarian also engages with RIT’s global campuses. The University Librarian, as a member of the Provost’s senior leadership team, also plays an important role in meeting institutional strategic diversity, inclusion, and access goals.

Qualifications: The University seeks a collaborative, collegial, visionary, and ambitious leader with the ability, qualifications, and interest to take RIT Libraries to the next level, making RIT a national model. The University Librarian will be able to contribute to a community committed to student-centeredness; professional development and scholarship; integrity and ethics; respect, diversity, and pluralism; innovation and flexibility; and teamwork. The successful candidate will have experience fostering an environment that promotes meaningful inclusion among students, staff, and faculty. The University Librarian will have experience with collaborative relationships internally and externally. Other desired qualities include a transparency and shared-governance mindset, humility, and courage in advancing creative approaches, new ideas and institutional change. Important qualifications for the position include budget management and financial acumen, experience with or passion for grants and/or fundraising, demonstrated commitment to understanding and meeting the scholarly resource needs of students and faculty, and an understanding of complex operations management. The successful candidate will have either an advanced degree, such as an MLS, MS, or MIS, from an ALA-accredited library school or academic credentials appropriate to the leadership of a modern research-intensive library.

Application: Interested candidates should submit only a cover letter and resume to RPA Inc. at RITUniversityLibrarian@rpainc.org. For a confidential discussion about this opportunity or to make a nomination, please email Kendra Mozug, Search Consultant, or Dana John Cohick, President, at the email address listed above. Review of candidates will begin on February 19, 2024