University Libraries, Associate Dean for Collection Strategy

Loyola University Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 115,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Loyola University Chicago is seeking an Associate Dean for Collection Strategy to provide strategic vision and leadership within the Libraries. This full-time position is responsible for managing the libraries' collections portfolio and aligning it with the University’s mission. Required qualifications include a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science and five years of leadership experience in a library context. The role involves significant oversight of collection policies and budget, and engagement in donor relations.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of leadership experience in a library or library-adjacent setting.
• Significant experience with electronic resources management, licensing, and negotiation.
• Active participation in relevant professional associations at the regional or national level.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and assess a comprehensive collection strategy that supports academic programs.
• Provide senior administrative leadership and oversight for various library departments.
• Lead the development and ongoing review of the Libraries' collections policies.

Skills

Leadership experience

Electronic resources management

Collection strategy development

Donor relations

Education

Master's degree in Library and Information Science

Job description

Job Description:

Salary Range: $115,000 – $120,000

Benefits Information: https://www.luc.edu/hr/benefits/

Reporting to the Dean of Libraries, the Associate Dean for Collection Strategy is a senior member of the Libraries' leadership team responsible for providing strategic vision, administrative oversight, and operational direction for the full spectrum of the Libraries' collections portfolio. This portfolio encompasses general collections (print and electronic), electronic resources and database licensing, rare books and special collections, the University Archives, and the Women and Leadership Archives.

The Associate Dean provides inspired, forward‑thinking leadership that aligns collection development, stewardship, and access with Loyola's Jesuit mission and the evolving research, teaching, and learning needs of the University community. This position plays a pivotal role in shaping the long‑term direction of the Libraries and serves as a key institutional representative in consortial, donor, and professional contexts.

This is a 12‑month appointment. The Associate Dean holds faculty status and is expected to engage in professional service, scholarship, and leadership activities commensurate with rank. The position will be primarily situated at Loyola's Lakeshore campus but will be expected to regularly attend meetings and perform other functions at the Water Tower campus.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Administration

• Develop, implement, and assess a comprehensive, integrated collection strategy that supports Loyola's academic programs, research priorities, and the University's Jesuit mission
• Provide senior administrative leadership and oversight for the following departments: Monographic Acquisitions and Cataloging, Serials & E-Resource Management, University Archives, and the Women and Leadership Archives
• Serve as a member of the Libraries' senior leadership team; contribute to institution‑wide strategic planning, policy development, budgetary decision making, and assessment

Collection Development & Stewardship

• Lead the development and ongoing review of the Libraries' collections policies across all formats, including monographs, serials, electronic resources, databases, and rare and unique materials
• Direct management of the Libraries' collections budget, working collaboratively with subject liaisons and collection managers to ensure strategic, data‑informed allocation of resources across disciplines and collection types
• Oversee the negotiation, licensing, and administration of electronic resource agreements, including publisher contracts, database subscriptions in compliance with university standards and evolving scholarly communication norms
• Develop strategies for alternative acquisition models including demand‑driven acquisition, evidence‑based acquisition, and collaborative purchasing
• Collaborate with the Dean of Libraries and the Office of Advancement to cultivate and steward relationships with donors, including the solicitation of gifts‑in‑kind, endowments, and funds supporting collections and archives
• Represent the Libraries in consortia partnerships, including the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI) and other collaborative bodies; negotiate and manage shared collection initiatives

Minimum Education and/or Work Experience

Required

• Master's degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program, or an equivalent advanced degree in archival studies or a closely related field
• Minimum of five years of leadership experience in a library or library‑adjacent setting
• Significant experience with electronic resources management, including licensing, negotiation, and the administration of complex database and publisher agreements

Preferred

• Experience in donor relations, development, or grant writing in an academic library or archival context
• Active participation in relevant professional associations at the regional or national level

Job Type: Full‑Time