Associate Director, Library Services Strategy

Harry Ransom Center; Main Point South (UT); On-site; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The Harry Ransom Center seeks an Associate Director for Library Services to provide strategic leadership across metadata, discovery, collection management, digital projects, imaging, reference, and public services. The role sets vision, priorities, and long-term direction for descriptions, access, and storage of collections.

The Associate Director leads at the portfolio level while Heads of units manage day-to-day operations, guiding cross-divisional collaboration and institutional partnerships.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in library and information science, archival studies, museum studies, or a related field.
• Significant senior-level leadership experience in a research library and archive.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex portfolios that include collections, access and reader services, and digital programs.
• Strong record of strategic planning, organizational leadership, and change management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, build trust across disciplines, and navigate highly specialized professional environments.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Strategic leadership and portfolio direction.
• Program and portfolio oversight across seven units with alignment to strategic plan.
• Organizational capacity and resource strategy in partnership with senior leadership.
• Stewardship, risk, and sustainability in library services.
• Leadership of unit Heads with accountability for plans and priorities.
• Institutional and cross-divisional leadership and external partnerships.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Portfolio management

Stakeholder communication

Change management

Staff coaching

Education

Master's degree in library & information science

Tools

Metadata systems

Digital asset management

Job description

The Harry Ransom Center seeks an Associate Director for Library Services to provide strategic leadership across metadata, discovery, collection management, digital projects, imaging, reference, and public services. The role sets vision, priorities, and long-term direction for descriptions, access, and storage of collections.

The Associate Director leads at the portfolio level while Heads of units manage day-to-day operations, guiding cross-divisional collaboration and institutional partnerships.