Department/Organization 219101 - University Libraries
Rank Associate/Full Professor
Position Summary Appointments to the faculty of The University of Alabama are based on the personnel requirements of the University’s academic programs and on the goal of achieving and maintaining excellence in its teaching, research, and service/academic citizenship activities. The University of Alabama Libraries seeks a dynamic, experienced, innovative leader to serve as Associate Dean for Collections and Technical Services. The candidate will report to the Dean of University Libraries and will serve as a critical member of the University Libraries Executive Committee. The candidate will have significant experience with large-scale budgetary oversight and collections and technical services management. In addition, the chosen candidate will have extensive experience with management of faculty and staff, as well as supervising the tenure and promotion process for the area. The Associate Dean will work closely with librarians to facilitate a shared vision and commitment to the strategic plan for the University Libraries and The University of Alabama. The chosen candidate will have experience hiring, training, and working with colleagues in a research library setting to effectively implement workflows and procedures that positively impact progress toward completion of organizational goals based on continuous improvement.
Detailed Position Information This position will have primary responsibility for providing stewardship of University Libraries resources by leveraging financial assets for collections resulting in positive and innovative outcomes for university constituents. Prepares and monitors annual collections budgets. Prepares annual stewardship reports for collections endowments. Negotiates and completes contract and licensing processes with Contract Management, completes and submits the annual IT Plan, and provides materials required for Board of Trustees approval when warranted. Provides information as needed to support development of various reports to internal and external agencies.
This position will oversee all aspects of collections and technical services including collections, acquisitions, electronic resources, scholarly communications, archival processing, and metadata. The incumbent will be responsible for overseeing all work within the Resource Acquisition and Discovery unit and will provide leadership and expertise in acquiring and integrating resources in all formats into University Libraries collections while promoting and continuing to build upon a robust Institutional Repository. The candidate will collaborate with University Libraries Special Collections as needed to provide leadership and direction related to processing archival collections, supporting University Libraries initiatives to make these valuable collections accessible to students, faculty, and scholars. The successful candidate will possess a vision for establishing and overseeing a contemporary organizational model that ensures efficient and effective workflows throughout the unit. The Associate Dean for Collections and Technical Services supervises faculty, professional and hourly staff, and student workers, directly leading the work of the Head of Metadata and Archival Processing and the Head of Electronic Resources and Scholarly Communications. Primary duties for this position include managing expenditures and financial reporting for the University Libraries collection budget. The position also collaborates with librarians from within University Libraries to manage collections in a distributed liaison model. The
Associate Dean for Collections and Technical Services manages complex licensing and contract issues with vendors and publishers related to ongoing renewal of online resources and may work with other institutions and organizations to negotiate for preferred group pricing and license terms. This position will oversee all operations related to quality metadata generation and classification of materials, following established standards and generating priorities for metadata projects, as well as collaborative metadata efforts within other areas of University Libraries. The candidate oversees all activities related to scholarly communications, including the Institutional Repository and efforts to develop and promote services associated with copyright, publishing, and intellectual property issues.
The University of Alabama Libraries is committed to data-driven decision-making, and this position is responsible for acquiring, analyzing, and reporting statistical information on key performance indicators across all areas within Resource Acquisition and Discovery on a regular basis. Provides the Dean of University Libraries and the University Libraries Executive Committee with timely and accurate information for projects, reporting, and planning purposes. This position ensures the proper authentication and security for library resources within the FOLIO Library Services Platform. The University Libraries is migrating to the FOLIO Library Services Platform, and the person in this position will lead the Resource Acquisition and Discovery unit in the post-migration planning, development, testing, and training for FOLIO.
This position may take on additional and changing leadership portfolio responsibilities as the research library environment continues to evolve. Represents the University Libraries on university, regional, and national level committees as assigned by the Dean of University Libraries and regularly contributes to the profession through active participation, presentations, and scholarly activities.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position oversees or participates in:
· Overseeing collection management for the University Libraries and working collaboratively with liaisons in a distributed collection development model.
· Providing oversight to help align purchasing that supports the teaching and research mission of the University.
· Participating in development of accreditation reports and new program proposals.
· Monitoring, assessing, and reporting on the annual collections budget.
· Working with vendors to ensure ordering and processing of orders efficiently and in a timely manner.
· Negotiating with publishers and vendors to ensure cost containment, author rights, accessibility compliance, and other priorities.
· Leading efforts to collaborate when feasible with other institutions and organizations to acquire better pricing and/or increase access to content.
· Managing large journal, e-book, and database package collections, using tools and services such as EBSCONet, EBSCOAdmin, EBSCO Experience Manager, EBSCO Collection Manager, Campus Enterprise Systems for financials, GOBI and Mosaic Administration, MARC and KBART Holding Files, and through direct access to vendor and publisher administrative sites.
· Evaluating the effectiveness of subscription-based resources, using key performance indicators, reporting monthly and annual statistical information, and making recommendations on purchases and renewal decisions through data-driven decision-making.
· Managing domestic and foreign language acquisitions approval plans for print and electronic resources, demand driven acquisitions (DDA), evidence based acquisitions (EBA), and streaming media purchasing models.
· Leading continuous improvement of work processes and procedures, including training and succession planning, workflow analyses, and reorganization projects to ensure that work is performed efficiently and effectively.
· Managing faculty librarians and staff, including mentoring and development of skills and documenting performance.
· Establishing unit priorities and goals to align with the University Libraries Strategic Plan.
· Overseeing scholarly communications workflows, including established processes related to the DSpace Institutional Repository and Open Journal Systems.
· Overseeing workflows and project management related to metadata and systems, ensuring the application of standards and processes that ensure efficient and effective access and discovery of materials.
· Incorporating Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and High-Performance Computing tools and programs to improve workflow efficiencies and automate processes both internally and for research based commercial products.
· Responsibilities of this position change as the University Libraries continue to evolve.
The position collaborates with a broad range of stakeholders internally and externally. The candidate must have the ability to cooperate effectively with diverse faculty, staff, students, and administrators. This position is expected to maintain and build relationships in the University Libraries and with colleges and universities in the region, state, and nationally. The candidate must have the ability to foster collaboration and to develop and empower librarians and staff. The successful applicant must possess the ability to approach change, ambiguity, and complex problems in a research university setting.
Minimum Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
· MLS/MLIS degree from an ALA accredited program or equivalent.
· At least 5 years of significant and progressive management and leadership experience in a research library collections and technical services setting.
· Proficient understanding of and experience with fund accounting.
· Experience with EBSCOAdmin, EBSCO Experience Manager, and EBSCONet suite of tools, as well as GOBI and Mosaic.
· Extensive experience working with a University Procurement office, specifically Accounts Payable and Contract Management.
· Extensive experience with the FOLIO Library Services Platform.
· Extensive experience cultivating strategic relationships with vendors, publishers, subscription agents, and consortia to advance product and service improvements beneficial to research libraries.
· Extensive experience negotiating business and licensing terms and conditions of contract renewals.
· Experience working with contracts officials at the university level.
· Adept understanding of SSO, EZ-Proxy, Okta, and/or other authentication methods.
· Understanding of metadata standards and applications.
· Experience performing assessment of technical services.
· Experience with DSpace and Open Journal Systems.
· Knowledge of and/or experience using inferential statistics and predictive modeling.
· Excellent organizational skills and an ability to manage time and set priorities.
· Significant experience solving complex issues related to electronic resources access and discovery, including demonstrated ability to troubleshoot access and discovery issues related to systems and metadata workflow.
· Understanding of scholarly communications, including author rights, Open Access, transformative agreements, OER, and data storage.
· Demonstrated leadership experience with innovative use of resources and emerging technologies.
· Demonstrated experience managing, supervising, and motivating faculty librarians and staff with the ability to facilitate positive and progressive change.
· Effective oral, written, and interpersonal skills.
· Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively with a diverse range of colleagues.
· Experience with the implementation of emerging trends in higher education and research libraries.
· Proficiency with creating and analyzing detailed spreadsheets and preparing data visualizations of complex data sets.
· Enthusiasm for an innovative and evolving work environment.
· Ability to work independently and evidence of strategic initiative to carry projects through to completion.
· Demonstrated ability to contribute collegially and productively in a rapidly changing environment.
· Ability to support and enhance a diverse learning and working environment.
· Evidence of an active research portfolio, and the ability to meet university promotion and tenure requirements for University Libraries faculty.
· Responsibilities change as the University Libraries continues to evolve.
Preferred Qualifications PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: · Ten years progressively responsible experience in a research library setting. · Doctoral degree focusing on descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. · Experience managing or working closely with collection development in a research library. · Evidence of professional involvement in associations and organizations as expected of the position. · Budgeting, compiling, and reviewing technical services data for decision-making. · Demonstrated stewardship of financial resources with respect to library collections. · Experience coordinating a broad range of technical services workflows to ensure efficiency related to the acquisition, discovery, and access to library resources. · Experience working with faculty and students regarding fair-use of electronic resources including streaming media. · Demonstrated ability to integrate technology into workflow. Prior to employment the successful candidate must pass a pre-employment background investigation.
Instructions and Required Materials for Application TO APPLY: Applications are accepted online only at https://careers.ua.edu. Click Faculty Jobs, then University Libraries. Please include your application, Curriculum Vitae, and names, addresses, phone numbers, and e- mail addresses of three references, including one current supervisor. Consideration of applications will begin immediately and will continue until position is filled. Applications received by December 11, are assured of receiving full consideration. The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants to and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. Follow the link below to find out more. "EEO is the Law" https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf For questions regarding the search, contact Dr. Alice Daugherty, Senior Associate Dean, at padaugherty@ua.edu
About the Division/College/School The University of Alabama Libraries, a system of seven separate discipline-related libraries, is proud to support the research enterprise at the University of Alabama via a comprehensive and integrated network of resources, services, and technologies designed to meet the academic and research needs of students, faculty, and staff. We take pride in serving as a hub for innovation, knowledge creation and dissemination, research assistance, and collaborative learning. As a U.S. Government Documents Regional Depository since 1860, University Libraries also serves the public and our local community. The University of Alabama Libraries maintains memberships in the Association of Research Libraries, the Center for Research Libraries, the Greater Western Library Alliance (GWLA), the Coalition of Networked Information, centerNET, LYRASIS, HathiTrust, the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries, LOCKSS, the Network of Alabama Academic Libraries, and the Alabama Digital Preservation Network. University Libraries provides strong mentorship for faculty and staff, with ongoing collaborative opportunities, and administrative support for innovative services and ideas. We promote and administer a robust professional development environment that supports faculty research and conference travel, and we are invested in academic freedom with teaching and research. We are heavily invested in performing the same high value research that our stakeholders produce, and that assists in our data-driven strategic planning for the future. Our staff routinely update and maintain cutting edge programs of service in support of our stakeholders. Our faculty librarians have developed a record-breaking instruction program, including a series of research data services and workshops, that consistently perform at the top of the SEC. UA is located in Tuscaloosa, a metropolitan area of over 250,000, with a vibrant economy, a moderate climate, and reputation across the South as an innovative, progressive community with an excellent quality of life. If working with a talented group of professionals who value service, innovation, and high achievement, earning a nationally competitive starting salary, in a thriving college town, with a low cost of living, close to Birmingham, Atlanta, Nashville, New Orleans, and the Gulf Coast sounds interesting to you, start your application process with us to learn more! Prior to employment the successful candidate must pass a pre-employment background investigation.
About the University The University of Alabama, the Capstone, is the state of Alabama’s flagship public university and its oldest and largest public university, founded in 1831. UA is an R1 institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, the top tier of doctoral research universities. UA enrolls a record 42,431 students from all 67 Alabama counties, all 50 states, the District of Columbia and 95 countries. In fall 2026, Graduate School enrollment reached 6,484 students.
University of Alabama students continue to win prestigious national awards. Sixty-nine UA students have been named Goldwater scholars, including three for 2026-27. The University of Alabama has produced 17 Rhodes scholars, 16 Truman scholars, 43 Hollings scholars and 21 Boren scholars. The Fulbright Program selected 10 UA students for awards for the 2026-27 academic year. UA was named a Top Producing Institution of Fulbright U.S. Students, a distinction it has now earned nine times in the last 11 years.
UA appeared on 15 U.S. News & World Report lists ranking the Best Online Programs, including seven programs ranked in the top 10 of their respective lists. UA made Time magazine’s list of Best Colleges for Future Leaders 2026. Forty current UA faculty members have received National Science Foundation CAREER Awards, one of the nation’s most prestigious recognitions of top-performing young scientists, in disciplines ranging from nanoscience and engineering to biological sciences.
UA made Forbes’ 2026 lists of America’s Top Colleges and Best Employers for Company Culture. According to the UA Center for Business and Economic Research, UA’s total statewide economic impact is $3.4 billion and 15,238 jobs.
Background Investigation and EEO Statement Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.
Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. More information is available in the EEOC’s Know Your Rights: Workplace (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf) discrimination is illegal poster.
The University of Alabama affirms its longstanding commitment to institutional neutrality, free speech, and academic freedom.
