Director of Collection Strategy

The Pennsylvania State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University Libraries seek applications for the Head, Collection Strategies. This tenure‑line role provides strategic direction for developing, stewarding, and assessing the Libraries' collections to meet teaching and research needs.

The Head will collaborate across the University to align collection development, acquisitions, interlibrary loan, and stewardship with budget realities and user needs, while leading a team and engaging in professional scholarship.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in library and information science from an ALA‑accredited program or equivalent combination.
• Five or more years of professional experience in academic or research library collections or related areas.
• Demonstrated knowledge of collection development principles and trends in academic libraries.
• Experience in a consortia or networked library environment.
• Experience using data and assessment methods to inform collection decisions.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for collection development and align strategies with institutional priorities.
• Lead the Collection Strategies Department and mentor faculty and staff.
• Shape budget strategy and investment priorities with data and landscape trends.
• Lead vendor and publisher negotiations and oversee transformative agreement frameworks.
• Represent PSUL in professional groups and advance open scholarship initiatives.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Data-driven decision making

Collaboration

Communication

Open access understanding

Education

Master's degree in library and information science (ALA‑accredited)

Tools

Budget management

Job description

The Pennsylvania State University Libraries seek applications for the Head, Collection Strategies. This tenure‑line role provides strategic direction for developing, stewarding, and assessing the Libraries' collections to meet teaching and research needs.

The Head will collaborate across the University to align collection development, acquisitions, interlibrary loan, and stewardship with budget realities and user needs, while leading a team and engaging in professional scholarship.