University Dean for Libraries and Information Resources

The City University of New York; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 175,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellness plans

Competitive retirement benefits

Tuition waivers for further study

Generous paid time off

Job summary

A leading educational institution is seeking a University Dean for Libraries and Information Resources. This role requires a Master's in Library Studies and extensive leadership experience. Responsibilities include managing a significant library budget and spearheading initiatives to improve library resources. The salary range is $165,000 – $175,800 based on experience, with benefits supporting health and wellness. Applications are due by December 10, 2025.

Qualifications

• Minimum of eight years’ related experience in academic settings.
• Experience in managing academic libraries, including budgeting and administration.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for library and information resources across CUNY.
• Manage the acquisition and licensing of electronic and print resources.
• Lead the OER initiative to reduce textbook costs.

Skills

Leadership

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Project management

Education

Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies

Second graduate degree

Tools

Library management systems

Job description

The City University of New York (CUNY) seeks a dynamic and innovative leader to serve as University Dean for Libraries and Information Resources. The successful candidate will provide strategic vision and advance the mission of the CUNY federation of 31 campus libraries at 26 colleges, ranging from community colleges to graduate and professional schools. The University Dean provides leadership in developing, implementing, and assessing CUNY library initiatives and digital resources for the University. The Dean maximizes library resources by promoting innovation, shared library services and collaborations, and the full integration of library and digital resources in teaching, learning, and research activities at CUNY.

The University Dean leads the CUNY Office of Library Services (OLS) to provide centralized services to the University’s libraries. The OLS is responsible for managing the third largest university library system in the United States, with nine million print volumes, 250 faculty and professional staff, 370 additional staff, and 230,000 students. The OLS budget includes $14 million annually, in tax-levy and grants, for e-resources, enterprise technology platforms, and discovery and delivery services that support all CUNY libraries. OLS is responsible for managing and coordinating the CUNY-wide library services platform, discovery, and authentication; cataloging and records management; centralized e-resource procurement and licensing; a centralized scholarly communications office and repository platform; Open Educational Resources (OER) funding, implementation and oversight for compliance, and a grant funded archival initiative.

Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Academic and Faculty Affairs, the University Dean is a member of the Office of Academic Affairs Leadership team. This position works collaboratively with CUNY’s Council of Chief Librarians, the offices of Academic Technology, Research Services, General Counsel, Procurement, other senior administration, and stakeholders to develop materials acquisition, OER and publishing platforms, and digital preservation initiatives that raise CUNY’s profile and share its scholarship with global communities.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Provide strategic leadership on the use of library and information resources across CUNY in support of its academic, pedagogical, and research mission.
• Manage the acquisition, licensing, and management of electronic, print, and digital resources to optimize access across all colleges.
• Lead CUNY’s OER initiative to promote the use of open source teaching materials in CUNY classes to reduce textbook costs. Increase the number of zero-textbook-cost and low-textbook-cost course sections at CUNY to include the allocation and management of CUNY’s $4 million budget to support OER initiatives.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance library and information resources and services, ensuring they meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff.
• Manage centralized technical support services to the libraries, including book processing and cataloging.
• Oversee the strategic management of CUNY’s institutional repository to facilitate access to CUNY scholarship.
• Provide professional development opportunities to CUNY library faculty and staff on issues related to copyright compliance, fair use, authorial rights, open access publishing, and alternative forms of publishing.
• Manage OLS’s $5.3 million operating budget for personnel, CUNY-wide electronic resources, and technology contracts.

NOTE: Until further notice, this position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum:

This position is in CUNY’s Executive Compensation Plan. All executive positions require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and eight years’ related experience.

The successful candidate will possess:

• A Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies (MLIS) or a closely related field from an ALA-accredited institution, with a second graduate degree required.
• A strong background in higher education setting and a record of scholarly accomplishment.

Preferred

• Extensive experience in leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration within a dynamic academic environment.
• Strong consultative, negotiation, and communication skills, along with a commitment to diversity and fostering a culture of inquiry and scholarship across disciplines.
• Experience managing academic libraries, including budgeting and administration.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing library operations that supports undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows.
• Demonstrated experience and professional stature to work effectively with university administrators and faculty.
• In-depth knowledge of library management systems. Strong analytical skills and experience using data for evaluation and program management.
• Strong strategic planning and leadership skills with demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams to develop work plans with clear and measurable goals, assess progress, and guide improvement when needed.
• Strong project and team management abilities, and high integrity.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to effectively engage multiple audiences and demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, think strategically, creatively problem solve, and meet deadlines, in a fast-paced, demanding, and complex work environment.
• Familiarity with CUNY’s infrastructure, traditions, and environment.

CUNY TITLE

University Dean

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range is $165,000 – $175,800; commensurate with credentials, education, and experience.

CUNY’s benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, submit a cover letter and resume online via CUNY’s web-based job system, addressing how your experience and credentials meet the responsibilities and qualifications outlined.

https://hrsa.cunyfirst.cuny.edu/psc/erecruit/EMPLOYEE/HRMSCG/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=31288&PostingSeq=1

Current CUNY employees must apply through CUNYfirst Employee Self Service using their login credentials. After you login, click the Careers tile on the Employee Self Service Menu page to view job openings.

CLOSING DATE

December 10, 2025.

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Executive

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID

31288

Location

Central Office (555 W 57th St, New York, NY)

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