Vice President of Programs and Services at Queens Public Library

METRO | 599; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent public library in New York seeks a Vice President of Programs and Services to lead library programs and services across multiple locations. The ideal candidate will have extensive leadership experience, strong financial management skills, and a commitment to serving diverse communities. Responsibilities include supervising staff, managing budgets, and developing community partnerships. This role offers a salary range of $170,000-$180,000/year and eligibility for hybrid/remote work.

Qualifications

• Minimum of ten (10) years in a leadership position in program development.
• Experience using data-driven strategies to create and enhance programmatic goals.
• Demonstrated advanced written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage library programs and services system-wide.
• Supervise over 100 staff and manage a $6 million budget.
• Build partnerships with government and civic agencies.

Skills

Leadership

Data-driven strategy

Financial management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Museum Studies, Library Science or related field

Job description

Queens Public Library has been named one of the best midsize employers in the United States by Forbes Magazine in its 2025 rankings.

Queens Public Library is a national and international leader in the delivery of public library service. Our mission is to transform lives by cultivating personal and intellectual growth and by building strong communities. Queens Public Library welcomes innovators and leaders to contribute to a long history and dynamic future of serving the most diverse county in the United States. Queens Public Library is a private, non‑profit corporation with 1,400 employees serving 66 locations.

Reporting to the Chief Librarian/Senior Vice President, the Vice President of Programs and Services is responsible for conceptualizing, developing, implementing, managing leading and contemporizing library programs and special services system‑wide in accordance with the Queens Public Library’s mission and vision. Responsible for the development and management of a broad array of programming targeting all age groups, with a particular focus on ensuring inclusive and specialized activities for individuals with special needs. Serve as a dynamic and inspirational leader able to articulate QPL’s compelling vision among internal and external audiences. Additional areas of focus include: community health, services for immigrants; career and business development; digital inclusion services; a wide spectrum of ESOL programming; and GED/HSE preparation classes.

Responsible for the direct and indirect supervision of over 100 staff and an approximately $6 million dollar budget, motivates staff that delivers the programs and services necessary to fulfill QPL’s mission. In collaboration with QPL’s Office of Organizational Assessment, analyzes community and demographic data to understand customer needs. Serves as the Library’s representative with external, government and civic agencies and community‑based organizations to advance meaningful partnerships that are key to meeting the needs of Library customers and Queens communities. Performs other duties as assigned.

Operational Leadership and Administration

• Conceptualizes, develops, implements, leads and improves library programs system‑wide, including internal and external stakeholder development and coordination, to meet organizational strategic goals and provide innovative and transformational support to the Library’s customers of all ages, backgrounds, and needs.
• Establishes performance benchmarks to define the scope, strength and success of programs and services, and identify where modifications are needed.
• Develops and monitors multi‑million‑dollar budgets from various funding sources and allocates funding in the most fiscally responsible manner to ensure maximum return on investment and to achieve quality customer service.
• Utilizes internal and external data to help steer the direction of library programs and services as well as track their success, short and long‑term impact and reallocates funding as needed.
• Develops strong and consistent mechanisms for communication within all parts of the department to ensure that various divisions are knowledgeable about all PSD programming and fostering an environment welcoming programming ideation across the department.
• Based on programmatic needs and priorities, partners with the Queens Public Library Foundation to support the delivery and expansion of programs and services to ensure that requirements of the grant have been met, as well as support the securing of future grants.
• Ensures that there are strong and consistent mechanisms for communication among all parts of the department building awareness of all of the programming and create an environment that welcomes programming ideas across the divisions.

Partnership Development and Management

• Develops, builds and nurtures partnerships with government and civic agencies and community‑based organizations that effectively support achieving organizational goals for the delivery of innovative, customer‑focused, educational programs and services that fosters lifelong learning and community growth and support.

Administration of Day‑to‑Day Operations

• Supervises and coordinates the management team and resources within the department and effectively coordinates all activities with other departments to ensure effective delivery of quality programs and services.
• Establishes reasonable performance goals. Identifies professional development needs of staff and encourages and supports innovation, accountability and collaboration.

Staff Management and Professional Development

• Recruits, trains, leads and inspires a team of motivated professionals whose skills and interests are fully aligned with their job functions.
• Ensures all staff within the department receive timely performance reviews that are accurate and in accordance with the Library’s Performance Management procedures.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Museum Studies, Library Science or related field required.
• Minimum of ten (10) years in a leadership position in program development required.
• Demonstrated clear programmatic vision and strong leadership is required.
• Experience using data‑driven strategies to create and enhance programmatic goals and strategies is required.
• Strong financial and grants management, interpretation, evaluation, and application skills are required.
• Demonstrated advanced written and oral communication skills required.
• Commitment to serving the Library’s diverse communities a must. Deep knowledge of the cultural landscape in Queens is highly desirable.
• Must have the ability to apply principles of leadership, analyze and interpret business information, formulate business strategies and plans, and solve problems at an advanced business level.
• Demonstrated ability to manage staff performance and resolve interpersonal and operational conflicts required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree preferred.
• Experience working in a large or multi‑site complex organization preferred.

The schedule for this position will include occasional evenings and weekends. This position is eligible for hybrid/remote work, subject to approval of the Chief Librarian/Senior Vice President.

To Apply

Please send your resume and cover letter to [e-mail] and reference “Vice President of Programs and Services – EXTERNAL” in the subject line. Resumes will only be accepted by email.

This is a non‑union position. The salary range for this position is $170,000-$180,000/year.

The Queens Public Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer.