Head of the University Archives & Special Collections

University of Europe for Applied Sciences Dubai; Fairfield (CT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairfield University is seeking a leader for its Archives & Special Collections, responsible for strategic direction, visibility, and stewardship of institutional memory. The role requires overseeing digital infrastructure and supporting staff development.

Applicants should have a graduate degree in Library & Information Science and experience in archival practices. The position promotes a collaborative environment, advocating for the importance of the Archives in educational initiatives.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Library & Information Science from an ALA‑accredited program.
• Specialization or certification in archival practices.
• Second Master’s in a subject‑specific field is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for University Archives & Special Collections.
• Oversee technology and digital infrastructure.
• Supervise staff and facilitate professional development.
• Engage in advocacy and community engagement for the library.

Skills

Leadership and management

Archival practices

Digital preservation

Collaboration

Education

Graduate degree in Library & Information Science (MLS)

Job description

Job Description

Fairfield University is a co‑educational, comprehensive Jesuit university with a 200‑acre campus located along the scenic shoreline community of Fairfield, CT. The University is comprised of approximately 3,500 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students pursuing degrees within 5 schools: The College of Arts and Sciences, The Charles F. Dolan School of Business, The School of Engineering, The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, and School of Education and Human Development. As an expression of our Jesuit, Catholic mission and identity, Fairfield embraces a liberal humanistic approach to education, encouraging critical thinking, cultivating free and open inquiry, and fostering ethical and religious values.

Department: DiMenna‑Nyselius Library

Primary Work Location: Fairfield

Direct Supervisor: Dean of the Library & University Librarian

Basic Function: Provides leadership, management, and strategic direction for the University Archives & Special Collections, advancing visibility, impact, and responsible stewardship of institutional memory. Ensures integration of professional archival standards and technologies that support acquisitions, long‑term preservation, and sustainable digital access. Works with Library Leadership and University partners to develop spaces that ensure appropriate environmental conditions, security, and room for future growth for the University Archives & Special Collections. Serves as an advocate and spokesperson for the University Archives & Special Collections in teaching, learning, community engagement, and fundraising. Supervises and supports staff. Engages in the professional work of the library.

Unusual Work Conditions

Availability for evening and weekend work, as needed, is required.

Education, Certification, License, and Experience Requirements

Graduate degree in Library & Information Science (MLS or equivalent) from an ALA‑accredited program with specialization or certification in archival practices. Second Master’s in subject‑specific field, or equivalent experience, is preferred.

Essential Functions

1. Provides leadership, management, and strategic direction for the University Archives & Special Collections. This includes:
   • Strategic vision and collection priorities: developing and communicating a forward‑thinking vision that integrates technology and preservation priorities into long‑range planning, establishing collection development priorities that strengthen institutional memory and scholarly value, guiding digital preservation strategies in collaboration with campus partners to ensure secure, sustainable storage and access.
   • Facilities and resources: collaborating with the Dean, University Archivist & Special Collections Librarian, and campus partners to plan and maintain adequate archival facilities, ensuring environmental controls and storage infrastructure protect all physical and digital collections.
   • Visibility, partnerships, and engagement: partnering with units within the Library to increase the visibility of the University Archives & Special Collections, integrating the University Archives & Special Collections into teaching, learning, and research initiatives, building strong partnerships with Advancement, Marketing & Communications, Alumni Relations, and academic units to elevate the University Archives & Special Collections’ presence and impact, advocating for inclusive practices that broaden the representation of University histories, serving as an advocate for the Library and University by participating in professional activities and public engagement initiatives.
   • Assessment, policy, and workflow management: collaborating with the assessment librarian on quantitative and qualitative assessment activities to support data‑driven planning and decision‑making that connect the Library’s strategic initiatives to the University mission, developing and implementing library policies and procedures, establishing priorities for departmental projects and workflows.
2. Oversees technology, digital infrastructure, and systems that support digital preservation, web archiving, and access to collections, in collaboration with Library colleagues and University partners. This includes:
   • championing innovative technologies that enhance discoverability, teaching use, and user experience, ensuring workflows for born‑digital and digitized materials align with national archival standards and best practices, coordinating assessment strategies to evaluate the effectiveness of digital engagement, monitoring emerging tools and AI‑assisted approaches to archival description and access, strengthening security, continuity, and ethical stewardship of digital assets.
3. Supervises and supports staff. This includes:
   • recruiting, hiring, and training; coaching and mentoring; meeting with all direct reports individually and with the department/unit on a regular basis; overseeing the flow and quality of work; coordinating staffing schedules; communicating effectively with staff concerning department/unit and library‑wide matters; evaluating performance.
4. Participates in the growth, development and professional work of the Library. This includes:
   • embodying the mission and values of the Library and the University in everyday work life, communicating effectively with supervisor concerning pertinent Library and/or University matters, assisting in the discussion and formulation of policies and procedures, keeping current with developments in job responsibilities, acting as a responsible participant in staff, committee, and/or task force meetings, attending and participating in Library and University events, monitoring developments in librarianship through attendance at meetings and workshops, membership in professional associations, and the reading of professional literature, promoting and communicating the value of the Library to the community.

Work Schedule

12‑month role

Employee Type

Exempt (salaried)

Applicable to all positions

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate.

Category

Academic - Admin

Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.