Associate Director for System-Wide Services

Johnson County Library; Overland Park (KS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnson County Library seeks an Associate Director to direct the Library’s administrative team and help shape the vision, mission, and strategy for multiple departments. This role collaborates with the County Librarian and peers to address system-wide management issues.

The position requires strong strategic thinking, communication, collaboration, and relationship-building across staff, administration, and the community.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required in Library Science or related field.
• Ten years of relevant experience.
• Seven years of leadership and supervision.
• Three years of project leadership experience.
• Travel: 10% local; 5% outside Johnson County.
• Experience may substitute for degree.

Responsibilities

• Shape and execute department operations aligned with strategic priorities.
• Lead public service strategy and manage budgets, personnel, contracts.
• Coordinate system-wide planning and governance.
• Develop service standards with the administrative team and coordinate meetings.
• Represent the Library with professional and community organizations.
• Oversee financial stewardship including forecasting expenditures and contract management.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Written communication

Oral communication

Project management

Time management

Leadership

Facilitation

Confidentiality

Interpersonal skills

Education

Master’s degree in Library Science

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

A career with Johnson County Government is more than just a job, it is an opportunity to serve a diverse and expanding community in meaningful ways. We challenge ourselves to be a different kind of government because we care deeply about our community and each other. Committed to our shared values, we provide excellent public service, seeking always to improve ourselves and our organization. We offer wonderful benefits, retirement plans, wellness incentives, a great organizational culture, and much more! If you’re searching for something more than just a job, something akin to a calling, then consider the challenge and opportunity of being a member of Johnson County Government!

This role will close on 11:59pm Monday, October 19th, 2026.

Job Description

Johnson County Library is a 14 branch suburban library system with a long history in our community. A suburb of the Kansas City metro area, our county is growing and diversifying. We serve neighborhoods ranging from urban to suburban to on-the-edge-of rural. We prize innovation and commitment to learning. We’re a fun, forward-thinking organization with a mission to enrich people’s lives.

Johnson County Library seeks an Associate Director to fill a key role on the Library’s administrative team. This role helps direct and develop the vision, mission, and strategy for multiple departments, working closely with the County Librarian and Deputy County Librarian and peers to address complex system wide management issues. Success requires strategic thinking, strong communication, collaboration, and relationship building across staff, administration, and the community.

Essential Duties:

• Advance a High Performing Organization by modeling the County’s Pillars of Performance, mentoring leaders at all levels, and dedicating continuous improvement (QII) activities for yourself and staff.
• Plan, develop, implement, evaluate, and manage department operations; track progress against strategic priorities; and ensure best practices across teams.
• Lead strategic direction for public service delivery by guiding department managers; resource service lines (budget, people, contracts, facilities); and interpret and communicate library policies and procedures.
• Contribute to system-wide planning, including the Comprehensive Library Master Plan, Strategic Plan, Succession Plan, and Organizational Work Plan; ensure departments maintain charters and execute assigned work.
• Co-develop service standards and policies with the administrative team; plan and coordinate management meetings; and foster cohesive goal achievement across departments.
• Represent the Library with professional and community organizations; manage Memorandums of Understanding with County and community partners; complete required training; and continually develop expertise in library trends, including presenting at conferences when appropriate.
• Oversee financial stewardship by forecasting expenditures, managing cost centers, reviewing contracts, and ensuring adherence to budget and contract management policies.
• Departments Overseen by the Position: Circulation Services, Collections, Learning & Development, and Program Services. Directly supervises 4 full-time employees and may delegate duties to subordinate managers/supervisors.

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in Library Science, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in library, government, non-profit, public service, or a relevant field.
• Seven (7) years leading, directing, supervising, or coordinating the work of others.
• Three (3) years of demonstrated experience leading or overseeing project work.
• Travel: 10% local travel; 5% outside Johnson County.
• Experience may be substituted for degree.

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Demonstrated conceptual knowledge of public services and policy development.

Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Attention to detail.
• Analytical skills, including research skills, ability to interpret data, ability to conceptualize, ability to analyze information, and ability to write formal recommendations based on findings.
• Basic mathematical and accounting skills.
• Computer software: Microsoft Office and keyboarding abilities.
• Human Relations/Interpersonal skills
• Written communication skills, including business writing, report writing, summarizing, and editing skills
• Oral communication skills, including presentations to individual level to large groups.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Facilitation skills, including curriculum/agenda development, marketing skills, ability to help groups focus, ability to use group decision making to gain commitment, and/or ability to encourage participation.
• Project management skills, including organization, coordination of duties, and/or accomplishment of goals.
• Time management skills, including the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and meet deadlines.
• Leadership and supervisory skills, including motivation, delegation of duties, evaluation, strategic planning skills, goal setting skills, assessment skills, collaboration skills, and complex decision making skills.

Preferred Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Budget-related skills, including advanced accounting, math, and statistics skills.
• Working knowledge of public sector administration.

All county employees may be called upon to assist other departments in a declared emergency situation.