Associate Dean for Learning and Engagement - Marriott Library

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 175,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

14.2% retirement contribution

Medical and dental coverage

Generous paid sick and vacation time

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. is seeking an Associate Dean for Learning and Engagement at Marriott Library, University of Utah. This leadership role involves advising the dean and ensuring effective library engagement with students and faculty while fostering collaboration across campus.

Responsibilities include managing learning programs, overseeing faculty affairs, and collaborating on strategic initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess an ALA-accredited MLS/MLIS or equivalent, with a strong record of administrative leadership and a commitment to enhancing educational access.

Qualifications

• Evidence of ability to meet professional tenure-track requirements.
• Success in an administrative leadership role with mentoring experience.
• Knowledge of teaching and learning, user experience in research libraries.

Responsibilities

• Work with the library's administrative leadership for strategic decisions.
• Provide leadership for learning and engagement programs.
• Manage faculty annual review and promotion processes.

Skills

Leadership

Collaboration

Problem-solving

Interpersonal communication

Organizational skills

Education

ALA-accredited MLS/MLIS or equivalent

Job description

Associate Dean for Learning and Engagement - Marriott Library

The Associate Dean for Learning and Engagement serves as a member of the senior leadership team, working in close collaboration to advise the dean and advance the library's strategic and operational goals. This position offers a compelling opportunity for an experienced leader to shape and elevate the library's impact in teaching and instruction, faculty and student research, community engagement, and library faculty development.

The portfolio includes ensuring strategic and administrative effectiveness of multiple programs and activities in the Teaching, Research, and Outreach unit and the Creativity and Innovation Services unit. In addition, the Associate Dean will serve as the library's Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, providing thoughtful oversight of annual review, retention, promotion, and tenure processes; aligning faculty governance with University policies; representing library faculty on University committees; and ensuring meaningful guidance and support for faculty members throughout their careers.

Primary Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Library's Administrative Leadership Team, contribute to executive decision‑making for the library, including programmatic, workforce, and strategic decisions.
• Provide strategic, operational, and personnel leadership for learning and engagement programs and activities to ensure alignment with University and Library goals and priorities and effective resource allocation.
• Cultivate partnerships with other campus units including the Office of Undergraduate Studies, the Graduate School, the Honors College, and the Office for Faculty, among others.
• Monitor changes in academic programs and identify coverage gaps in support. Collaborate with academic units to ensure the Library's teaching, liaison services, and experiential learning support model aligns with the teaching and research mission of the University of Utah.
• Collaboratively manage the faculty annual review, promotion and tenure, and tenured faculty review processes. Monitor and offer strategies to adapt to changes in University policy and procedures that impact the library.
• Monitor and contribute to national and international professional conversations, particularly on issues related to core areas of responsibility.

Management & Supervision

This position reports directly to the Dean of Libraries and has responsibility for leading two departmental units (Teaching, Research, and Outreach; Creativity & Innovation Services) currently composed of 20 full‑time employees and approximately 6 part‑time (student) employees.

• Direct reports: 2 faculty librarians (unit heads)
• Indirect reports: 15 faculty librarians, 3 full time staff, 6 student employees

Information and Inquiries

This faculty search is being managed in partnership with Summit Search Solutions, Inc. To learn more about the position or share a nomination, please contact Lyndi Hewitt at [e-mail] or by phone at 615‑423‑0525. You may also contact Melanie Hawks, Assistant Dean for Organizational Development, at [e-mail]. Additional information about the application process can be found at https://lib.utah.edu/faculty-faq.php.

Required Qualifications

• ALA‑accredited MLS/MLIS or the equivalent combination of a relevant degree and experience working in an academic library.
• Evidence of ability to meet the professional requirements of a tenure‑track position through research, librarianship, and service. Appointment at either the Associate Librarian or Librarian rank will require advanced research and librarianship to qualify for tenure at time of appointment.
• Evidence of success in an administrative leadership role and a successful history of managing, and mentoring people.
• Knowledge of and demonstrated experience with at least two of the following areas: teaching and learning, student engagement, makerspaces, or user experience in a research library.
• Understanding of and interest in existing and emergent technologies, and the research library's role in enhancing digital and AI literacy.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with library colleagues and the campus community.
• Exceptional organizational and interpersonal communication skills (written, verbal, and visual).
• Exceptional problem‑solving skills, with demonstrated experience of collaborative, inclusive, and creative approaches with successful implementation.
• Commitment to fostering a welcoming educational environment and ability to work with students, faculty, staff, and community populations from a variety of backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong record of engagement with information literacy at the institutional and national level. Familiarity with issues related to research intensive university libraries.
• Familiarity with trends in higher education related to emerging and creative technologies and their application to experiential learning and research.
• Leadership experience related to shared governance and faculty governance procedures regarding retention, promotion, tenure.
• Leadership experience in mentoring and faculty development.
• Experience with budget planning, resource allocation, and donor relations.
• Ability to use assessment data to inform planning and decision‑making.

Criteria for Faculty Appointment

To be eligible for appointment at the Associate or Full Librarian rank, you must have demonstrated a record of achievement sufficient to be awarded tenure concurrent with the appointment. At the time of appointment, a packet demonstrating evidence of active participation in professional associations and a record of scholarly engagement will be required. The successful completion of a criminal background check is required by Utah state law.

Compensation

Salary will be dependent on qualifications and rank appointment. The anticipated hiring range is $175,000–$195,000, which includes an administrative stipend. Our excellent benefits include a 14.2% retirement contribution to TIAA‑CREF/Fidelity, medical and dental coverage, and generous paid sick and vacation time.

Application Instructions

All candidates should submit a curriculum vitae, a cover letter describing the strengths you would bring to the role/organization, and contact information for five professional references. References will only be contacted after prior notice to the applicant. Reference letters are not requested.

Preferred consideration will be given to all applications received by July 12, 2026.

Department: 00790 - Marriott Library - Operations

City: Salt Lake City, UT

Track: Tenure Track

Requisition Number: PRN01503CF

To apply, visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/202276

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy‑related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number, can be located at https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/.

Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu.