Executive Director, Othmer Library

Science History Institute; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 153,000 - 187,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental coverage

Retirement match

Generous PTO

Commuter benefits

Job summary

The Science History Institute in Philadelphia seeks a senior executive to serve as Vice President and Arnold Thackray Director of the Othmer Library. You will lead the library’s strategy, operations, and collections, ensuring robust stewardship of endowments and donor engagements.

Based at our HQ in Old City, you will oversee acquisitions, processing, preservation, and space planning while collaborating with the President to advance the Center for the History of Life Sciences.

Qualifications

• PhD in history of science, technology, or medicine.
• Seven+ years in a special collections or research library with increasing responsibility.
• Experience managing large teams with innovative leadership and strategic vision.
• Experience managing complex budgets and nonprofit governance.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (5–10%).
• Strong knowledge of library and archival best practices and DAMS software.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership for the Othmer Library and related collections.
• Oversee acquisitions, processing, deaccessioning, and preservation activities.
• Lead collections growth through space planning and curated displays.
• Manage endowments, gifts, and donor reporting to major donors and foundations.
• Represent the Institute for the Independent Research Library Association.
• Collaborate with the President to shape the Institute’s Center for the History of Life Sciences.

Skills

Executive leadership

Team leadership

Budget management

Donor cultivation

Strategic vision

Education

PhD in history of science/technology/medicine

Tools

DAMS software

Job description

The Science History Institute in Philadelphia seeks a senior executive to serve as Vice President and Arnold Thackray Director of the Othmer Library. You will lead the library’s strategy, operations, and collections, ensuring robust stewardship of endowments and donor engagements.

Based at our HQ in Old City, you will oversee acquisitions, processing, preservation, and space planning while collaborating with the President to advance the Center for the History of Life Sciences.