Head of Acquisitions & Collections Strategy (Hybrid)

DePaul University; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Retirement match

Tuition waivers

Paid time off

Full-time benefits

Stable university

Job summary

DePaul University in Chicago seeks a Head of Acquisitions & Collections Strategy to lead the ACS team, manage the library budget, and shape the acquisitions and collection development program in support of teaching and research.

The role emphasizes data-driven decision making, collaboration across the library and campus, and fostering an inclusive, professional culture while improving efficiency and innovation in resource management.

Qualifications

• Master's degree from an ALA-accredited program.
• Minimum 6 years of academic library experience, with at least 3 years in acquisitions or collection development.
• Strong budgeting and staff supervision capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight and leadership for the ACS team, aligning activities with library goals.
• Oversee acquisitions lifecycle across formats and procurement models.
• Shape collection strategies and participate in governance through the Collections Steering Committee.
• Engage in professional development and foster staff growth.
• Directly supervise one librarian and two staff; manage salary and resource decisions.

Skills

Project management

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Supervision

Education

Master's degree from an ALA-accredited program

Tools

Alma/Primo

Open Athens

Springshare

Job description

The Highlights: The Head of Acquisitions & Collections Strategy (ACS) provides leadership for acquisitions and collection strategy, to ensure library resources advance DePaul University’s research, teaching, and learning priorities. The Head of ACS oversees the library collection budget, acquisitions workflows, and related operations. The position develops and implements sustainable approaches to collection development, licensing, access, and resource management. The ACS collects and analyzes data to assess collection use and value, inform resource decisions, and identify emerging needs and opportunities. The role collaborates across the library and university to align collections with evolving user needs, academic priorities, and changes in the information landscape. The ACS will work in a highly‑supportive and collegial culture that encourages active participation in meaningful and valuable skills training and professional development. This includes workshops, committee memberships, and engagement in programs that support the Library’s mission and its inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility goals, while building connections and partnerships across DePaul’s wider academic and user community.

What You’ll Do

1. Leadership of Acquisitions & Collections Strategy Department.
   • Provide strategic oversight and leadership for the ACS team, establishing priorities and aligning departmental activities with library goals and university needs.
   • Support, develop, and empower ACS staff and fosters a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, innovation, and professional growth.
   • Develop, implement, and evaluate policies and procedures related to acquisitions, collection strategy, and library resources; review existing policies to ensure accuracy, currency, effectiveness, and alignment with evolving practices.
   • Identify opportunities to improve acquisitions and collection‑related workflows, systems, services, and organizational practices. Serve as a library leader and contributes to strategic planning and decision‑making across the library.
2. Acquisitions.
   • Coordinate and provide strategic oversight of the full materials acquisitions lifecycle across print, electronic, continuing, and other resource formats and procurement models.
   • Administer library purchasing systems and monitors spending throughout the year, identifying trends and opportunities to maximize the impact and sustainability of collection acquisitions.
   • Coordinate and customize tools and workflows to support materials acquisition across a range of procurement and licensing models.
3. Collections Strategy.
   • Collaborate with the AUL and liaison librarians to shape and advance collection strategies, including development, implementation, and ongoing assessment.
   • Serve as an ex‑officio member on the Collections Steering Committee, which is responsible for setting collection priorities and making major purchase, renewal, and cancellation decisions.
   • Identify emerging collection needs, opportunities, and challenges and recommend strategies to the Collection Steering Committee to address them.
   • Develop and use data, usage statistics, cost information, assessment findings, and other evidence to inform collection decisions and evaluate effectiveness, impact, and sustainability of collection resources.
   • Coordinate the acquisitions budget with the AUL and Director of Business & Administration, ensuring expenditures reflect established collection priorities and strategic goals.
4. Professional Development.
   • Maintain an awareness of best practices in academic librarianship through engaging with scholarly and professional literature, participation in relevant conferences, workshops, and professional development programs, and applies lessons learn.
5. Directly supervise one full‑time librarian, two full time staff, and indirectly supervises a student employee.
6. Prepares collections budget in collaboration with the Director of Business and Administration and Associate University Librarians and recommends full‑time and part‑time salary/wage, technology, supplies, and other acquisitions to support the work of staff in assigned units.

What You’ll Need

Required

• Master's degree from an ALA‑accredited program, required.
• Minimum, 6 years of academic library experience, of which at least 3 years must include working with acquisitions, collection development, or related areas.

Preferred

• Knowledge of Alma/Primo, Open Athens, and Springshare.
• Experience working with academic library consortia.
• Effective written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent planning, project management, and problem‑solving skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of library budgeting and financial management.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and direct the work of others.
• Demonstrated ability to collect, organize, and interpret relevant statistical information and data.
• Ability to communicate and effectively interact with people across cultural identities and foster an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment.

The anticipated hiring range for this position is: $64,662 to $77,224.46.

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Perks

• Working for a stable and well‑known University.
• Top choice medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Retirement plan matching contribution of 8%.
• Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
• Generous paid time off, sick time, holidays, floating holidays, and more!
• Full‑Time Benefits

Vincentian Mission

Guided by an ethic of Vincentian personalism and professionalism, DePaul compassionately upholds the dignity of all members of its diverse, multi‑faith, and inclusive community. We seek to hire collaborative, open‑minded, and dedicated professionals who are committed to advancing our university mission to making education accessible to all, with special attention to including underserved and underrepresented communities. Successful candidates thrive in an environment where ideas and perspectives representing a wide variety of cultures, backgrounds and experiences are welcome and supported.

Required Background Check

Employment at DePaul University is contingent on passing a background check. Only final candidates who are extended an offer of employment will undergo a background check.

DePaul University is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information or any other legally protected status, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local EEO laws.