Analysis and Planning Consultant, University Libraries

Penn State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State University Libraries seeks an Analysis and Planning Consultant to lead and refine the User Engagement Program, guiding evidence-based decisions across the library system. The role emphasizes analytics, user research, and collaboration with library leadership and operational teams.

The position focuses on designing studies, coordinating user engagement activities, and translating findings into strategic improvements that enhance services and outcomes for learners and researchers.

Qualifications

• Experience in applied research and assessment in academic or research-intensive contexts.
• Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative research methods, including statistical analysis.
• Ability to manage multiple analytic or assessment projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Lead and continuously refine the University Libraries' User Engagement Program to understand user needs, experiences, outcomes, and perceptions of value.
• Design and conduct investigations evaluating library services, programs, and operations and communicate findings to leadership.
• Translate assessment findings into organizational intelligence through evidence synthesis, trend identification, and performance measurement.
• Contribute to professional leadership, mentoring, and cross-unit collaboration within the Libraries.

Skills

Quantitative & qualitative methods

Statistical analysis

Research design

Data collection

Tools

SPSS

NVivo

R

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

Join the Pennsylvania State University Library Assessment Department as an Analysis and Planning Consultant to lead and refine the University Libraries' User Engagement Program.

The User Engagement Program strengthens the Libraries' understanding of how learners and researchers use, experience, and value library services, providing evidence that informs strategic planning, resource allocation, and continuous improvement across the university system.

Serving as a trusted advisor to library leadership and operational teams and a key contributor to the program, the Analysis and Planning Consultant advances evidence‑based decision‑making through analytics, assessment, and user research.

Responsibilities:

User Engagement Program Leadership and Continuous Improvement:

Lead and continuously refine the University Libraries' User Engagement Program to ensure systematic understanding of user needs, experiences, outcomes, and perceptions of value.

Establish and advance frameworks, methodologies, and practices that support user-centered decision‑making across the organization.

Identify emerging trends and opportunities for inquiry, coordinate user engagement activities across library units, and promote the integration of user insights into strategic and operational planning.

Steward a culture of evidence-informed service development that strengthens the Libraries' effectiveness and impact.

Assessment Studies and Organizational Investigations:

Design and conduct investigations that evaluate library services, programs, initiatives, operations, and emerging organizational questions.

Serve as the point of contact for collaborations with departments, leadership, and strategic action teams to define research questions, select appropriate methodologies, collect and analyze evidence, and communicate findings.

Develop actionable recommendations that inform decision‑making, improve services, assess outcomes, and advance organizational priorities.

Conduct comparative or contextual analyses, where appropriate, to place findings in relation to peer practices, institutional priorities, or broader higher education trends.

Translate assessment and research findings into organizational intelligence through evidence synthesis, trend identification, performance and outcome measurement, and the communication of insights that support strategic and operational decision‑making.

Professional Leadership and Organizational Contribution:

Contribute to the development of colleagues and the advancement of the Libraries and the broader profession through mentoring, committee service, outreach, and professional engagement.

Supervise student and part-time employees as assigned, support onboarding and staff development activities.

Participate in Libraries and University-wide service initiatives and represent the Libraries in professional communities and collaborative partnerships where expertise in assessment, user engagement, and research methods is needed.

Stakeholder Consultation:

Provide consultation on qualitative and quantitative research design, methods, analytics, and ethical research practices, including Institutional Review Board (IRB) guidance as applicable to library faculty and researchers.

Educate and mentor colleagues on research integrity, methodological rigor, and evidence quality.

Additional responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Serve on Libraries‑and University‑wide committees and participate in professional assessment communities to advance institutional goals and assessment practice.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Demonstrated professional experience conducting or supporting applied research and assessment in an academic or research‑intensive context, including research design, instrument development, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and the production of professional and evaluative reports

Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative research methods, including statistical analysis, and experience using relevant data analysis software (e.g., SPSS, NVivo, R, or comparable tools)

Ability to manage multiple analytic or assessment projects simultaneously, including the ability to work both ind