Executive Director - Learning Commons

New Mexico Junior College; Hobbs (NM); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico Junior College seeks an Executive Director for the Learning Commons to provide strategic leadership across library, tutoring, and academic support services. You will supervise the Academic Success Center Director, the Head Librarian, and admin staff, advancing student success and align with college goals.

Responsibilities include strategic planning, budget management, faculty collaboration, and implementing innovative service models while upholding accreditation standards and open

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Education, Higher Education Administration, or MLS/MLIS from an ALA-accredited institution.
• 3+ years leadership experience in library/learning center/academic support environment.
• 1+ year supervisory experience.
• Experience with program assessment and data-driven improvement.
• Experience managing budgets and personnel.
• Community college setting experience preferred.
• Experience integrating library and tutoring/academic support services preferred.
• CRLA tutor training knowledge preferred.
• Experience with Open Educational Resources (OER) preferred.
• Experience with learning management systems and online tutoring platforms preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of integrated library and academic support services.
• Develop and execute a strategic plan for the Learning Commons aligned with institutional priorities.
• Foster an inclusive, student-centered environment that supports diverse learning needs.
• Promote innovative service delivery models, including embedded tutoring and instructional partnerships.
• Improve student experience by improving access to services supporting success.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Staff supervision

Budget management

Data-driven improvement

Faculty collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Education or Higher Education Administration

MLS/MLIS from an ALA-accredited program

Tools

Learning Management Systems

Online tutoring platforms

Open Educational Resources (OER) initiatives

Job description

TITLE: Executive Director - Learning Commons

REPORTS TO: Vice President for Instruction

SUMMARY

• The Executive Director of the Learning Commons provides strategic leadership, vision, and operational oversight for New Mexico Junior College's integrated learning space, which combines the functions of the Academic Success Center and the Library, including tutoring services and collaborative learning environments. The Executive Director leads the development of innovative, student-centered services that promote academic success, information literacy, digital fluency, and equitable access to learning resources. The Learning Commons includes library services, tutoring and academic support services, collaborative study spaces, virtual tutoring, and individual study pods designed to foster student engagement and achievement. This position supervises the Academic Success Center Director, the Head Librarian, and administrative support personnel. The Executive Director collaborates closely with faculty, student services, and institutional leadership to advance student retention, persistence, completion, and transfer success in alignment with the College's mission and strategic goals.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership and Vision

• Provide leadership in the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of integrated library and academic support services.
• Develop and execute a strategic plan for the Learning Commons aligned with institutional priorities.
• Foster an inclusive, student-centered environment that supports diverse learning needs.
• Promote innovative service delivery models, including embedded tutoring, co-requisite support, and instructional partnerships.
• Improve the student experience by improving access to services supporting student success.

Library Services Administration

• Oversee all library operations in collaboration with the Head Librarian, including reference services, collection development, circulation, information literacy instruction, and digital resources.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and professional best practices in library services.
• Guide the integration of emerging technologies and digital tools to enhance access to information resources.
• Support open educational resources (OER) initiatives and affordable learning strategies.

Academic Success and Tutoring Services

• In collaboration with the Director of the Academic Success Center, direct tutoring services across disciplines, including in-person and online tutoring models.
• Establish standards for tutor hiring, training, evaluation, and professional development consistent with national tutoring best practices (e.g., CRLA guidelines).
• Collaborate with faculty to align tutoring and academic support with course outcomes.
• Implement data-informed strategies to improve student success, retention, and completion.

Facilities and Learning Environment Management

• Oversee scheduling, policies, and utilization of collaborative study spaces and individual study pods.
• Ensure that facilities support collaborative, technology-enabled, and independent learning.
• Coordinate maintenance, upgrades, and technology enhancements within the Learning Commons.

Personnel Supervision and Development

• Directly supervise Academic Success Center Director, Head Librarian, and administrative support personnel.
• Conduct performance evaluations and support professional growth.
• Foster a collaborative team culture focused on service excellence and student success.

Budget and Resource Management

• Develop and manage the Learning Commons budget.
• Pursue external funding opportunities, grants, and partnerships to enhance services.
• Ensure effective allocation of personnel, materials, and technology resources.

Assessment and Reporting

• Develop measurable outcomes and assessment plans for library and tutoring services.
• Analyze usage data, student performance metrics, and satisfaction surveys.
• Prepare reports for institutional leadership and accreditation bodies.
• Use assessment findings to drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Collaboration and Campus Engagement

• Partner with faculty to embed information literacy, artificial intelligence literacy, and academic support into curriculum.
• Collaborate with Student Services to support first-year experience, developmental education, dual credit, and special populations.
• Represent the Learning Hub on college committees and in community partnerships.
• Promote Learning Hub services through outreach and marketing efforts.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in Education, Higher Education Administration, or related field with significant experience in academic support services, or a master's degree in Library Science (MLS/MLIS) from an ALA-accredited institution.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a library, learning center, learning commons, or academic support environment.
• Minimum of one (1) year of supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated experience with program assessment and data-driven improvement.
• Experience managing budgets and personnel.
• Experience in a community college setting preferred.
• Experience integrating library and tutoring/academic support services preferred.
• Knowledge of CRLA tutor training standards preferred.
• Experience supporting Open Educational Resources (OER) preferred.
• Experience with learning management systems and online tutoring platforms preferred.
• Record of successful grant writing or resource development preferred.

Additional Information:

In compliance with federal law, all individuals hired will be required to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position is not eligible for Visa sponsorship.