Director of Special Collections and Archives

the client seeks a dynamic, strategic, and collaborative Director of Special Collections and Archives. The director will provide visionary leadership and direction for the programs, services, operations, collections management, and initiatives of Special Collections and Archives, working with a team of librarians and archivists and a cohort of student employees. Reporting to the associate university librarian for distinctive collections, the director is expected to be passionate about special collections and archives and to understand how these materials advance teaching and learning, research, and creative work. Key responsibilities include leadership, staff and resource management, and oversight of multiple repositories and collections in physical and digital formats. The director will foster a values-based, team-oriented work environment; model mentorship and advocacy; and support professional growth. The role also involves identifying and advocating for preservation environments and collections storage needs in collaboration with relevant library conservation and facilities partners, aligning departmental initiatives with library and university strategic goals, and managing resources to support the library’s mission. The director will also lead donor relations and advancement efforts by cultivating relationships with current and prospective donors, identifying engagement opportunities, and ensuring a coordinated approach to tracking and acknowledging gifts-in-kind. The director is expected to recommend and report on the use of advancement funds consistent with donor intent and library fiscal strategies, participate in relevant library leadership and operations councils, and engage in collaborative initiatives with campus and state or regional partners. Additionally, the director will seek and facilitate new partnerships, identify grant prospects and other opportunities for innovative work in special collections and archives, and provide direction for instruction, consultation, outreach, and research support. Confidential