Director, Law Library

GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401K savings plan

Paid holidays

Tuition discount

Job summary

Grand Canyon University in Phoenix seeks a Law Library Director to lead the Law Library operations in support of the Law School curriculum and faculty scholarship. The Director holds a full-time faculty appointment and will teach courses as needed, while directing legal research services, collection development, and staff management in alignment with university priorities.

The role emphasizes Christ-centered leadership, budgeting, assessment, and collaboration with the Dean and University

Qualifications

• ALA-accredited master’s degree in library or information science.
• Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Minimum 3–5 years in an academic law library setting.
• Expertise in legal research, reference, and teaching in an academic law library.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; excellent communication.
• Experience supervising staff and hiring.

Responsibilities

• Lead all Law Library operations and provide strategic direction.
• Oversee legal research services, collection development, and staff management.
• Teach courses as needed in coordination with the Law School Dean.
• Collaborate with the Dean and University Library on budgeting and policy decisions.
• Develop and implement instructional programs and research support for students and faculty.
• Ensure accreditation, compliance reporting, and continual improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Legal research

Staff supervision

Teaching

Data analysis

Collaboration

Education

MLIS (ALA-accredited)

Juris Doctor (ABA-accredited)

Job description

Grand Canyon University! One of Arizona’s leading institutions of higher learning. Located in the Valley of the Sun in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona. GCU is an institutionally accredited, private, nondenominational Christian University.

The Law Library Director serves as the primary liaison between the Law School, the University Library, and the broader campus community. This role provides leadership for all Law Library operations, including legal research services, collection development, and staff management, while supporting the Law School’s curriculum and faculty scholarship and ensuring alignment with University Library and Law School priorities. The Director holds a full-time faculty appointment and is expected to teach courses as needed in coordination with the Dean.

What you will do:

• Promotes and models a Christ-centered worldview in all aspects of leadership, decision-making, and academic and faculty engagement within the Law Library.
• Fosters a strong sense of community, professionalism, and shared purpose among faculty, staff, and law students.
• Supports the development of Christian character, ethical leadership, and professional responsibility within the legal profession.
• Encourage intentional integration of faith and learning, emphasizing justice, integrity, and service in legal education in accordance with the Judeo-Christian western legal tradition Develops, implements, and evaluates policies, procedures, and strategic initiatives that align with and advances the mission of the Law School.
• Collaborates with the Dean of the Law School and the University Library in budget planning and preparation, monitors expenditures, and actively contributes to informed financial decision-making for the Law Library.
• Oversees and participates in the acquisition, organization, and preservation of legal and interdisciplinary materials, ensuring the library’s collections remain current, relevant, and supportive of the law school curriculum and evolving research needs.
• Designs and delivers innovative legal research instruction, workshops, and orientation sessions; provides individualized research and academic support to students; and teaches legal research or related courses as assigned, utilizing effective pedagogical methods.
• Partners with law school faculty on instructional support, collaborates on research projects, and facilitates scholarly communications.
• Leads all aspects of talent management for Law Library staff and student workers, including recruitment, hiring, scheduling, training, supervision, and ongoing performance evaluation.
• Uses analytical and assessment tools to collect, track, and interpret operational data and performance metrics; prepares and presents statistical reports to support evidence-based decision-making, continuous improvement initiatives, and accreditation and compliance reporting requirements.
• Implements and enforces library policies and procedures, providing guidance and assistance in resolving complex service situations.
• Stays current with professional standards and emerging technologies relevant to academic law libraries and incorporates advancements to enhance library services.
• Works collaboratively in a team environment to share best practices and fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Provides a positive example to students by supporting the University’s Doctrinal Statement, Ethical Position Statement, and Mission of Grand Canyon University.
• Position may require nights and weekend hours.
• Other duties as assigned.

What you will need:

• American Library Association-accredited master’s degree in library or information science.
• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Minimum 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience working in an academic law library setting.
• Demonstrated expertise in legal research, reference, and teaching within an academic law library, including proficiency in legal research methods and comprehensive knowledge of legal and interdisciplinary research resources.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proven experience conducting research, compiling and analyzing data gathered, and providing clear, actionable recommendations on findings.
• Experience and demonstrated skill in supervision and hiring.
• Ability to effectively communicate and foster a cooperative work environment.
• Ability to be proactive and flexible.
• Must pass pre-employment background investigations.
• Provides a positive example to students by supporting the University’s Doctrinal Statement, Ethical Position Statement, and Mission of Grand Canyon University.

Why work at GCU:

• Exceptional workplace benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, a 401K savings plan
• Generous time off plan and 11 paid holidays
• Paid time off to volunteer in the community or at GCU sponsored events
• Free covered parking
• We also offer full-time employees, their spouses, and dependent children an Education Tuition Discount Program
• Free on-site gyms on campus

The University values diversity among its students, faculty and staff, and invites applications from all qualified individuals, including minorities, females, individuals with disabilities and veterans.

Employment is contingent upon the satisfactory outcome (as determined by the university) of pre-employment screening activities, including a background check.