Associate Dean of the University Library

About This Role

The Associate Dean of the University Library provides strategic leadership and vision for the UNH Library, partnering with the Dean to advance its mission as a top-tier public research institution. This role oversees financial operations, assessment, and facilities, while fostering an inclusive and collaborative culture.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Dean to provide executive leadership for the library, ensuring alignment with university priorities and advancing a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and professional excellence
• Advance the Dean’s vision and library goals, shaping and guiding strategic and operational planning, annual goal setting, organizational assessment, and staff development
• Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the Dean, assuming responsibility for the overall leadership and administration of the library in the Dean’s absence
• Build relationships across campus and across USNH, and work across USNH to identify and implement multi-campus efficiencies through a centralized services model
• Represent the UNH Library and the University at institutional, regional, and national levels, strengthening the library’s reputation and influence
• Champion the library’s role in advancing teaching, learning, and research across disciplines, including digital scholarship, scholarly communication, data management, and AI
• Provide leadership and oversight for the library’s financial operations and long-range budget planning, ensuring fiscal sustainability and compliance with institutional policies
• Build and maintain strong relationships with faculty, administrators, and student groups to advocate for library initiatives, services and partnerships and advance cross-institutional initiatives
• Lead the library’s Community & Sustainability program, aligning efforts with university-wide initiatives around community building, civic engagement, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility
• Oversee the development, administration, and maintenance of library facilities, contracts, agreements, and MOUs with partnering departments

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Library and Information Science or equivalent
• Second advanced degree (master’s or higher) in another discipline
• Record of scholarship and professional service sufficient to qualify for appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor
• Minimum five years of progressively responsible leadership in a research library at the department head, associate director, or equivalent level

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Library and Information Science or equivalent, plus a second advanced degree (master’s or higher) in another discipline
• Minimum five years of progressively responsible leadership in a research library at the department head, associate director, or equivalent level.

Nice to Have

• Financial management, resource allocation and assessment
• Space planning, facilities management, and/or building renovation projects
• Effective strategic and operational planning, organizational development, and/or project leadership
• Communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of colleagues, students and campus partners
• Commitment to fostering a welcoming, respectful and supportive environment for all members of the community
• Fundraising, donor relations, or advancement initiatives
• Leadership in national or regional library organizations
• Fostering innovation and managing organizational change

Skills

* Required skills