Director for Collections Services

Binghamton University; City of Binghamton (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Binghamton University Libraries seeks a collaborative, visionary leader for the position of Director for Collections Services. This role provides leadership to five units: Acquisitions & Contracts, Cataloging & Metadata, Collections Strategy, Digitization & Conservation Services, and Storage & Delivery Services.

It offers a chance to shape direction and advance user-centered service in a complex academic setting.

Qualifications

• Master's degree from an ALA-accredited library or information science program, or an ALA-approved foreign equivalent.
• Minimum of five years of experience in an academic or public library or comparable environment, with at least two years in a supervisory role and responsibilities in budgeting, licensing, acquisitions, cataloging/metadata, digitization, conservation, collection strategy, or resource sharing.
• Commitment to high-quality service in a diverse, fast-paced academic setting with professional and respectful issue resolution.
• Effective written and oral communication skills with ability to build productive relationships across departments.

Responsibilities

• Strategic vision: define priorities for department and unit projects, activities, and innovations in alignment with the Libraries' mission.
• Innovation and service excellence: implement innovative workflows and practices to enhance operations and user experience; evaluate and improve services.
• Budget and resource planning: assess staffing and resource needs and support budgeting processes.
• Collections stewardship: oversee maintenance and development of physical and electronic collections; guide resource sharing capabilities.
• Compliance: ensure adherence to university policies and evolving guidelines.
• Lead and shape collections services practices through engagement in library consortia and professional networks.
• Contribute to the Dean's Library Council and collaborate with leadership on strategic direction.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Budgeting

Staff supervision

Communication

Change management

Collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Library/Information Science (ALA-accredited)

Job description

Job Description

The Binghamton University Libraries provides research collections in electronic (over 2 million and growing) and print (1.7 million items) formats with an extensive array of databases and e‑packages (over 400), archival and distinctive printed materials in Special Collections as well as services with a variety of student‑centered study spaces. With three public locations (Glenn G. Bartle Library, Science Library and the University Downtown Center Library) and an off‑site Collections Management Facility, our aim is to provide access to primary research materials and resources befitting an R1 research institution.

Binghamton University Libraries seeks a collaborative, visionary, and service‑oriented leader for the position of Director for Collections Services. This role provides leadership to a department that is comprised of five units: Acquisitions & Contracts, Cataloging & Metadata, Collections Strategy, Digitization & Conservation Services, and Storage & Delivery Services. This newly‑reorganized department presents a unique opportunity to shape its direction and ensure its success.

The Director will guide goal setting, planning, prioritization, and workflow design across these areas, ensuring alignment with the Libraries' mission. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in research collection management, a commitment to inclusive and user‑centered service, and the ability to lead change in a complex academic environment. Leadership, communication, budgeting, and strategic planning skills are essential. The Director will play a key role in shaping the Libraries' future by fostering innovation, building partnerships, and advocating for tools and procedures that enhance efficiency and services.

This position reports directly to the Senior Assistant Dean for Collections and Technology Services and serves as a member of the Dean's Library Council.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategy

• Strategic vision: Work with the Senior Assistant Dean for Collections and Technology Services on strategic planning, as well as departmental and unit‑level goal setting; define priorities for department and unit projects, activities, and innovations.
• Innovation and service excellence: Advocate for and implement innovative workflows and practices that enhance internal operations and external user experience. Evaluate, recommend, and improve services and technologies that support established and emerging University research areas.
• Budget and resource planning: Collaborate with relevant personnel to assess staffing and resource needs; support budgeting processes that reflect emerging research priorities.
• Collections stewardship: Oversee maintenance and development of physical and electronic collections; guide resource sharing capabilities and commitments.
• Compliance: Work with the Senior Assistant Dean for Collections and Technology Services to ensure university policies and practices regarding financial transactions, contracting, and other areas are followed; stay informed of any evolving campus or professional guidelines or expectations to ensure department activities comply.
• Lead and shape collections services practices: Through active engagement in library consortia, professional organizations, and peer networks, advocate for and implement innovative approaches that advance the field, and foster collaborative relationships that improve the user experience.
• Contribute actively to Dean's Library Council: Contribute meaningfully to the Dean's Library Council; collaborate constructively with leadership to support shared goals and strategic direction; prioritize the overall success of the Libraries while maintaining departmental collaboration.

Supervision and Management

• Team Leadership: Supervise the work of five assistant directors; collaboratively identify performance goals, provide ongoing feedback and guidance, and contribute to a supportive culture.
• Collaborative communication: Foster communication among team members and with other library units; address questions and concerns as they arise and convey broader organizational context.
• Professional growth: Stay at the forefront of the field by pursuing professional development opportunities, and integrating new knowledge and skills into the work of the department.
• Foster Inclusivity: Participate in a work culture that promotes diversity and anti‑racism and actively works to eliminate or mitigate the effects of systemic racism and bias.
• Active Mentorship: Support professional development activities related to the duties in this department.

Scholarship

• Contribute significantly to the profession to meet the Libraries' standards of scholarship.

Service

• Participate in library, University and national service.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree from an ALA‑accredited library or information science program, or an ALA‑approved foreign equivalent.
• Minimum of five years of experience, in an academic or public library, or comparable environment, including at least two years in a supervisory position, with responsibilities in one or more of the following areas:
  • budgeting
  • licensing
  • acquisitions
  • cataloging
  • metadata
  • digitization
  • conservation
  • collection strategy
  • resource sharing
• Commitment to high‑quality service in a diverse, fast‑paced academic setting, with the ability to resolve issues in a professional and respectful manner.
• Effective written and oral communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and build productive relationships across departments.
• Record of scholarly activity, such as presentations, publications and/or grants.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience managing projects, workflows, deadlines and data‑driven decision‑making in a collegial, complex and changing environment.
• Experience leading professional development related to the duties in this department.

Visa Sponsorship

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, please note that Binghamton University is not an E‑Verify employer.

Additional Information

Binghamton University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the ADA Coordinator by completing the following Request Form.

The State University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is the policy of Binghamton University to provide for and promote equal opportunity employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran or military service member status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or arrest and/or criminal conviction record unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.

As required by title IX and its implementing regulations, Binghamton University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs and activities which it operates. This requirement extends to employment and admission. Inquiries about sex discrimination may be directed to the University Title IX Coordinator or directly to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). Contact information for the Title IX Coordinator and OCR, as well as the University's complete Non‑Discrimination Notice may be found here.

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at [phone] or via email at [e-mail].

Binghamton University is a tobacco‑free campus effective August 1, 2017.

Offers of employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a pre‑employment background check and verification of degree(s) and credentials.