Director of Collections Services

Louisiana State University; Highland (KS); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition exemption

Paid holidays

Retirement options

Training and development

Job summary

Louisiana State University Library in Baton Rouge invites applications for the role of Director of Collections Services. Reporting to the Head of Collection Services and Open Scholarship, this position provides strategic leadership for LSU Libraries’ collections across physical, digital, and open-access resources.

The role integrates budgeting, assessment, and policy to align with institutional priorities and sustainability.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in library science from an ALA-accredited program.
• 5+ years of supervisory or leadership experience in libraries.
• Experience in collection development, acquisitions/licensing, and metadata/cataloging.
• Budget management, data-driven decision making, and analytics in library contexts.

Responsibilities

• Provide vision and direction for development and stewardship of research collections.
• Negotiate pricing and content with publishers and vendors using data-driven assessments.
• Oversee assessment initiatives to measure value, use, and impact of collections.
• Supervise staff within the Collections and Resource Strategies department.

Skills

Budget management

Data-driven decision making

Analytics

Vendor negotiation

Leadership

Education

Master’s, MLIS/MLS from an ALA-accredited institution

Tools

Integrated Library Systems (ILS)

Library Services Platforms (LSP)

Discovery systems

Job description

Job Posting Title

Director of Collections Services

Position Type

Faculty

Department

LSUAM Lib - PS - Collections & Open Scholarship (Hayley Johnson (00049583))

Work Location

0030 LSU Library

Pay Grade

Academic

Job Description

Reporting to the Head of Collection Services and Open Scholarship the Director of Collections Services provides strategic leadership for LSU Libraries’ collections, advancing the Libraries’ mission to support the University’s teaching, research, and learning through innovative, sustainable, and user-centered collection strategies. This role integrates evolving collection models, budget planning, and assessment practices to align with the Libraries’ strategic priorities. They oversee collection development, assessment, and stewardship of physical, digital, and open-access resources, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, fostering data-driven decision-making, and championing sustainable, user-centered models in library collections. They work closely with library units and academic departments to guide renewal, selection, and retention decisions, ensuring a sustainable and relevant collection. They explore innovative approaches to collection development, analyze financial and usage data, and refine policies to ensure fiscally responsible decision-making.

Responsibilities

40% Collection Strategy: Provide vision and direction for the development and stewardship of research collections. Collaborate with the Head of Collections & Open Scholarship, subject librarians, faculty, and campus stakeholders to ensure collections align with evolving institutional priorities. Develop and implement policies, procedures, and guidelines for lifecycle management of resources in all formats. Negotiate pricing and content with publishers and vendors, using data-driven assessments to maximize impact and cost-effectiveness. Manage vendor relationships to ensure quality service and strategic acquisitions. Coordinate with internal selectors and vendors on approval plans. Represent LSU Libraries in consortia discussions, system-wide committees, and national and regional networks to assess collaborative agreements and emerging best practices.30% Data, Assessment & Budget Strategy: Leads assessment initiatives to measure the value, use, and impact of collections. Stays informed of best practices and emerging methodologies in collection assessment. In collaboration with the Head of Collections & Open Scholarship, oversees the development of a comprehensive data analysis strategy to support collection assessment and data-informed decision-making, including the creation of analytics, dashboards, and benchmarking tools to monitor usage, cost, return on investment, and trends across peer institutions. Collaborates with Administrative Services and the Associate Dean of Public & Collection Services on budget forecasting, allocation, reallocation, cost-benefit analysis, and long-term sustainability of collection investments. Compile and submit required reports ensuring accuracy and timeliness.20% Supervision & Staff Development: Supervise and mentor staff within the Collections and Resource Strategies department, setting performance goals and providing regular evaluations. Identify training and professional development needs to ensure staff maintain current knowledge of collection trends, tools, and practices. Encourage a culture of innovation, collaboration, and shared responsibility among the team.10% Service: Performs service to the libraries, university, and/or profession.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s, MLIS/MLS from an ALA-accredited institution. 5 years of supervisory or leadership experience. Progressively responsible experience in academic or research library collection development, acquisitions/licensing, metadata/cataloging, or resource management. Demonstrated experience in budget management, data-driven decision making, and analytics in a library collections context. Experience with integrated library systems (ILS) or library services platforms (LSP), and familiarity with metadata/cataloging standards and discovery systems.

Background Check

Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

Benefits

• Benefits - LSU offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!
• Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance.
• Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.

Essential Position (Y/N)

LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and maintain that valid work authorization throughout employment. Changes in laws, regulations, or government policies may impact the university’s ability to employ individuals in certain positions.

Posting Date

August 11, 2026

Closing Date

February 7, 2027

HCM Contact Information

For questions or concerns related to updating your application with attachments (e.g., resumes, RS:17 documents), date of birth, or reactivating applications, please contact the LSU Human Resources Management Office at225-578-8200or [e-mail]. For questions or concerns regarding the status of your application or salary ranges, please contact the department using the information provided in the Special Instructions section of this job posting.

About LSU

LSU researchers across Louisiana are working on developing a wide-range of innovations to improve quality of life by studying issues such as disease management, advance medical treatments, obesity, coastal protection, hurricane preparedness, energy, natural resource management and agriculture, among others. Louisiana’s Flagship University is a land-, sea- and space-grant institution with academic programs in all areas of science, engineering, humanities, arts and social sciences. The University comprises of nine institutions: Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College (“LSU”), the premier flagship university for the state, which include the Paul M. Hebert Law Center and the School of Veterinary Medicine Louisiana State University at Alexandria Louisiana State University at Eunice Louisiana State University at Shreveport LSU Health Sciences Center – New Orleans LSU Health Science Center – Shreveport The Health Care Services Division Louisiana State University Agricultural Center Pennington Biomedical Research Center Any other college, university, school, institution, or program now or hereafter under the supervision and management of the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College In implementing its mission, LSU is committed to: Offering a broad array of undergraduate degree programs and extensive graduate research opportunities designed to attract and educate highly qualified undergraduate and graduate students; Employing faculty who are excellent teacher-scholars, nationally competitive in research and creative activities, and who contribute to a world-class knowledge base that is transferable to educational, professional, cultural, and economic enterprises; and Using its extensive resources to solve economic, environmental, and social challenges.