Associate Dean, Research & Collections, Library

Associate Dean, Research & Collections, Library

Primary Purpose
Joining the organization at a pivotal time as it implements a new strategic plan, the Associate Dean, Research & Collections has the opportunity to shape how the University Library navigates the complex scholarly communications landscape at the University of Saskatchewan. Driven by the principles of Open Access and Open Scholarship, this position is responsible for areas including: research support services (such as research data management, data/GIS, digital humanities); oversight of the $16M acquisitions budget to build impactful physical and digital collections; collections services; special collections and the university’s archives; library systems, discovery, and access. Serving as the liaison to the Information and Communications Technology group assigned to the Library, the incumbent establishes the organization’s needs and priorities.

This position serves as a member of the Library’s senior leadership team, working in close collaboration to advise the dean and advance the Library’s goals. Helping to shape a positive and inclusive organizational culture where employees feel valued and empowered to bring about change in service to our faculty and students, the incumbent cultivates an environment where everyone can succeed. The portfolio includes ensuring strategic and administrative effectiveness of multiple programs and activities in the Research Services, Collections and Discovery, and University Archives and Special Collections Divisions. The incumbent will also have responsibility for advancing a supportive environment for faculty librarians as they pursue research endeavors.

Nature of Work
Associate Deans are empowered to think boldly and creatively about how library initiatives advance the broader campus vision. The Associate Dean, Research & Collections is expected to build relationships and cultivate partnerships across the University Library and throughout the campus, positioning the Library as an essential collaborator in advancing research. Expected to lead strategic projects (including capital planning projects), and ensure progress on key initiatives, this position works collaboratively with other colleges and administrative units to advocate for and enhance the capacity and quality of library services and collections. Working in a community of diverse partners, the incumbent must demonstrate awareness of and commitment to Indigenization and decolonization, equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and anti-racism. Success requires taking a proactive approach to identifying and scoping key services, collaborations with campus partners, and coaching and mentoring employees. The portfolio includes administrative oversight of select faculty direct reports, with employees consisting of both faculty and staff – and a total complement of ~40 employees. The Associate Dean will serve as the Dean’s delegate for important functions such as representing the University Library on relevant university committees.

The Associate Dean contributes to collegial processes, including Assignment of Duties, annual review, as well as librarian onboarding. An out-of-scope faculty position, it is expected that the Associate Dean will allocate approximately 75% of their time to the Associate Dean, Research & Collections portfolio, and 25% to ongoing individual academic and research activities.

Accountabilities for Associate Deans

Organizational Leadership

• Together with the Dean and senior leadership team, develops and executes a shared vision and strategic direction for the University Library, that aligns with the university’s institutional strategies.
• Works collaboratively with other leadership team members to ensure cross-division alignment and success grounded in a positive and inclusive organizational culture.
• Upholds commitments to and makes decisions in alignment with Indigenization and Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Anti-Racism frameworks.
• Regularly assesses workforce needs to ensure alignment with strategic plan and organization’s priorities and actively develop employees.
• Proactively and regularly scans the internal environment to identify opportunities for operational effectiveness in library functions, specifically in-person and online services, and is responsible for implementation.
• Develops relationships and partnerships with other academic and administrative units across campus to advance shared goals.

Research & Collections Portfolio Leadership

• Sets the vision and strategic direction of the Research & Collections portfolio, including a programmatic approach managing the acquisition’s budget, delivering in-person and online research services, and campus and community engagement, in alignment with broader organization and campus priorities.
• Applying a people-centred leadership approach, prioritizes visibility and engagement with units and builds relationships to advance the portfolio’s impact.
• Together with the portfolio’s managers, determines annual goals, accountabilities, and assessment metrics.
• Provides mentorship and coaching to grow leadership capacity and experience of team members.

Financial Management

• Responsible for managing the portfolio’s budget, and ensuring sustainable stewardship of fiscal resources, which include institutional and operations funds, and select endowments and donor funds.
• Together with managers in the portfolio and in consultation with the Dean and the Library’s Finance-SBA, determines collections strategy and resource allocation.
• Contributes to Provincial and campus reporting requirements, specifically those associated with targeted funding that support Saskatchewan Health Information Resources Program and Health Human Resources.

Risk Management

• Contribute to the identification, assessment, and management of risks into the planning processes for the University Library.
• Communicate and ensure compliance with University policies, federal and provincial laws and regulations, and collective agreements.

Commitment to Institutional Competencies

• Engage: Commit to advancing the aspirations of the people of the university, the province, and beyond
• Include: Build a welcoming and accessible place where diverse students, faculty, and staff feel a sense of belonging
• Collaborate: Intentionally seek relationships across teams, disciplines, and capacities to achieve results
• Advocate: Develop and support each other, innovative ideas, and Indigenous knowledge in pursuit of the university’s strategic priorities.

Education and Experience

• An Master of Library and Information Science degree or international equivalent, with a minimum of five years of progressively responsible leadership and management experience in libraries, archives, or comparable academic or cultural organizations.
• Evidence of strategic leadership capacity, including experience guiding organizational change, decisive decision-making, and aligning local priorities with broader institutional and academic goals.
• Proven experience leading people and teams, with a strong commitment to employee development, and creating conditions that enable shared leadership and foster cross-unit collaboration.
• Evidence of a strong research record.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets, including experience with budget development and oversight and resource allocation.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with key partners, such as faculty, students, administrators, vendors, and community members to advance services and meet partner needs.
• Excellent listening, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to balance the needs of individual units or disciplines while advancing collective priorities.

Salary
Salary will be dependent on qualifications and rank appointment. The anticipated hiring range is $165,000-$190,000, which includes an administrative stipend.

This position includes a comprehensive benefits package: dental, health and extended vision care plan; pension plan, life insurance (compulsory and voluntary), academic long term disability, sick leave, travel insurance, death benefits, an employee assistance program, a professional expense allowance, and a flexible health and wellness spending program.