Fast Facts

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries seeks an innovative Associate Dean of Libraries for Research to lead research support and collaboration across campus libraries, guiding strategic initiatives and development.

Responsibilities: Oversee library research services, develop and implement strategic directions, facilitate campus collaborations, and supervise professional staff while ensuring effective resource allocation and program assessment.

Skills: Strong leadership in library services, interpersonal and communication skills, experience in academic libraries, and a commitment to inclusive practices.

Qualifications: Required: At least five years in relevant roles, including academic libraries; Preferred: Experience aligning resources with academic needs and developing partnerships with faculty and researchers.

Location: Madison, Wisconsin, USA

Compensation: Not provided by employer. Typical compensation ranges for this position are between $95,000 - $135,000.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries is seeking a collaborative, innovative, forward-thinking strategic leader to serve in the role of Associate Dean of Libraries for Research. The Associate Dean (AD) provides senior level leadership to guide the efforts of various campus library programs and services and is actively involved in shaping and implementing research service aspects of the Libraries' strategic plans and directions. Their duties include steering program development and assessment, as well as allocating resources to advance the Libraries' mission.

The Associate Dean of Libraries for Research Services is primarily responsible for promoting and advancing research support and collaboration across all campus libraries, assuming the comprehensive coordination of library research services and activities. Reporting directly to the Dean and Vice Provost of Libraries, the AD leads the development, communication, implementation, and evaluation of strategic directions and priorities pertaining to these library services and functions. The AD serves as a member of the Libraries Executive Council, which is chaired by the Dean and is composed of Associate Deans and senior administrative colleagues.

In collaboration with senior library leadership, the Associate Dean will participate in assessing the re-imagined and realigned library services and organizational structures designed to meet the emerging needs of the campus community. The Associate Dean engages in campus-wide initiatives alongside library governance groups, and works with consortial partners at the regional, state, national, and international levels, to ensure access to vital library services and programs, and to bolster the reputation of campus libraries across the campus and the profession. 

The Associate Dean for Research directly supervises professional staff and has responsibility for approximately 32 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff working across these services which include International and Area Studies, Science and Engineering Libraries, Scholarly Communications, Research Data Management, Public Access Management, and Digital Scholarship services. The AD leads efforts to coordinate the provision of a coherent staff and user experience across library research services on which the campus community relies.

Required Qualifications:

- A minimum of five years of relevant experience is strongly preferred, with at least two years in an academic library setting. This experience should include professional responsibilities demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of a research library's role in partnering and delivering services to advance research and scholarship. 

- Proven track record of effectively fostering partnerships and collaborations that leverage the diverse roles libraries can fulfill in addressing the changing needs of students, faculty, and staff.

- Effective interpersonal, verbal and written communications skills.

- Evidence of substantial professional engagement and contribution, demonstrating a keen awareness of emerging issues and trends influencing the campus research ecosystem and the alignment of library services and programs.

-Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive working and learning environment where all can flourish, with experience supporting programmatic efforts to engage a broad range of perspectives, backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Demonstrated success in implementing library services and programs requiring the alignment of resources to meet growing academic and research needs of an institution.

- Experience building and sustaining campus partnerships and collaborating with faculty and researchers to integrate library services and resources to evolving research and scholarship practices.

- Ability to maintain a strong commitment to scholarly engagement and professional service, including presentations, publications, and service on campus-wide, regional, and/or national level professional organizations. 

- Develops and maintains knowledge of emerging and best practices related to liaison librarianship across disciplines, digital scholarship, research data management, and scholarly communications.