Chair, Special & Area Studies Collections - Lead Global Research

University of Florida; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 96,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Florida seeks a Chair for the Department of Special and Area Studies Collections (SASC) to lead a distinguished, globally significant set of collections at the Smathers Libraries on the Gainesville campus.

The successful candidate will provide strategic direction, manage a department of ~30 faculty and staff, and collaborate across campus to advance research, teaching, and public engagement while guiding ongoing professional development and tenure considerations.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Library or Information Science from an ALA-accredited (or foreign equivalent) program, or other relevant advanced degree in subject specialty.
• Eight years of relevant professional experience, including leadership and supervisory responsibility in a research library.
• Experience in effective planning and budgeting.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain effective relations with donors.
• Effective supervisory skills with the ability to mentor and lead.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with faculty, students, administrators and the public.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with the Dean of University Libraries and the Associate Dean to devise and implement strategies to achieve goals relating to education, research, and outreach.
• Defines needs, sets priorities, develops policies, and establishes goals, budgets and strategic plans for services and collections.
• Partners with leadership to seek financial support for the department’s collections and operations.
• Oversees and coordinates the work of the department’s ~30 faculty and staff.
• Coordinates with collection managers and communicates work to Library Administration.
• Oversees public events showcasing the department’s collections and usage.
• Fosters a collaborative work environment across campus and library units.
• Participates in governance and committees at the university level.
• Represents Special and Area Studies and the Libraries at state and national levels.

Skills

Leadership experience

Supervisory experience

Budgeting

Donor relations

Communication skills

Collaboration with faculty

Strategic planning

Education

Master’s degree in Library/Information Science

Additional advanced degree in a relevant field

Job description

University of Florida seeks a Chair for the Department of Special and Area Studies Collections (SASC) to lead a distinguished, globally significant set of collections at the Smathers Libraries on the Gainesville campus.

The successful candidate will provide strategic direction, manage a department of ~30 faculty and staff, and collaborate across campus to advance research, teaching, and public engagement while guiding ongoing professional development and tenure considerations.