Assistant Director, Austin Public Library

Assistant Director, Austin Public Library

Under the direction of the Director of Libraries, this position is accountable for the effective delivery of public library services to the citizens of the City of Austin, ensuring the efficient management, operation, and strategic alignment of all Public Services Divisions. These divisions include Central Library Services, Branch Library Services, Cataloging & Collection Management, the Office of Programs and Partnerships, and the Austin History Center.

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Defines and communicates strategic vision for delivering library services to the community and directs the effective delivery of these services.
• Directs the day-to-day operations of the Library's Public Services Divisions, directly supervising the managers of these divisions, and ensures continuous innovative improvements to systems and services.
• Ensures that staff follows appropriate policies and procedures to select and maintain balanced library collections reflective of community interests and needs, and ensures compliance and adherence to the Library's mission and vision.
• Ensures that high quality and engaging programs are developed and presented for customers of all ages.
• Ensures that library staff participate in appropriate outreach opportunities to bring information regarding library materials, programs, and services to the community outside of library locations.
• Supports the staff of the Austin History Center in their mission, ensuring that programs and exhibits highlight the resources of the Austin History Center and its role in preserving the history of the City of Austin.
• Ensures all activities are performed in compliance with City of Austin and departmental policy, Local, State, and Federal regulations and laws governing activities.
• Works with colleagues in other City departments to coordinate and avoid duplication of programs and achieve multiple outcomes.
• Serves as the Executive Liaison to the Library Commission.
• Builds relationships with and represents the Library to government, external agencies, regulatory bodies, the community, and the public.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of library and information science principles and practices, including policies, procedures, services, materials selection and acquisition and classification, office and library equipment, and public relations.
• Knowledge of leadership, management, and supervision principles and practices.
• Knowledge of current budgeting and personnel management practices.
• Ability to learn and adapt to change.
• Ability to recognize and define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously in person, over the telephone, and via email communication with people of all ages in a business and public service context as well as with professional colleagues.
• Ability to oversee library promotion and publicity, including the use of social media.
• Skill and proficiency in establishing and maintaining open and honest communication with City and Library staff.
• Skill in providing direction for employees to ensure efficient customer service.
• Skill in the application of supervisory and management practices.
• Skill in the analysis and interpretation of library issues.
• Skill in training, mentoring, and coaching staff.
• Skill in using computers and related software, including Microsoft Office products.
• Skill in operations forecasting and strategy design and implementation.
• Skill in projecting and formulating long-range goals for facility usage and expenditures.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with City officials, representatives of business and governments, City employees, and the general public.
• Ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with a Master's degree from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited college or university, plus six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in the library field, including four (4) years of experience in an upper management capacity.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• None.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading public-facing operations within a large, multi-branch urban library system.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic initiatives related to community engagement, digital equity, intellectual freedom, or equitable access to public services.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain collaborative partnerships with community organizations, nonprofit foundations, educational institutions, and governmental stakeholders.
• Experience presenting to executive leadership, governing bodies, boards, commissions, or community groups on complex or high-profile public issues.
• Demonstrated success leading organizational change initiatives, innovative programming efforts, or service delivery improvements within a public service environment.

Salary Range: $148,000 to $158,000 annually.

Location: 710 W. Csar Chvez St, Austin, TX, 78701

Days and Hours: 8:00 AM 5:00 PM; Monday Friday.

*Hours may vary depending upon business needs. This position is on-site.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a collaborative, community-centered leader with extensive experience in public library operations within a large, multi-branch urban library system. They are an engaging and politically savvy communicator who is comfortable serving as a public-facing representative at community meetings, commissions, and Council presentations. This leader brings a coaching-oriented management style, empowering division managers and staff while fostering an inclusive, service-driven culture that values intellectual freedom, equitable access, and civic engagement. The successful candidate will possess the strategic vision and emotional intelligence necessary to help guide the Austin Public Library into its next century of service, balancing innovation, community trust-building, and operational excellence.

The following core competencies are important for this role:

• Leadership & People Development: Demonstrates a collaborative and coaching-oriented leadership style, with the ability to mentor division managers, build strong teams, and foster accountability across diverse public service operations.
• Community Engagement & Public Communication: Skilled in public speaking and relationship management, with the ability to effectively engage community stakeholders, present before boards and commissions, and navigate sensitive public issues with professionalism and diplomacy.
• Strategic Vision & Innovation: Brings the ability to help shape the future of library services through strategic planning, innovative programming, outreach initiatives, and long-range service delivery planning.
• Political Savvy & Relationship Building: Able to build and sustain strong partnerships with community organizations, fundraising partners, elected officials, cross departmental and regional stakeholders while balancing diverse community perspectives and priorities.
• Equity, Intellectual Freedom & Civic Engagement: Demonstrates a strong commitment to digital equity, civil discourse, intellectual freedom, and equitable access to library resources and services for all communities.
• Operational & Multi-Branch Library Management: Possesses experience overseeing complex public-facing operations within a multi-branch library system, ensuring high-quality customer service, effective program delivery, and alignment with organizational goals and community needs.

What to Expect in the Role

The selected candidate will provide leadership for Branch Library Services, Central Library Services, Austin History Center, and Cataloging and Collection Management divisions, including four (4) direct reports serving as division managers of public services divisions while also working closely with support services, community programming and engagement, and strategic and administrative services teams.

The role includes responsibility for assistance with department general fund budget review, 250+ staff, daily program offerings, 24 library facilities, and equitable service delivery to over 1 million Austinites.

Initial priorities may include providing support for Austin Public Libraries' centennial planning efforts, advancing the re-entry services initiative, overseeing capital improvement projects' service impacts within branches, and promoting operational excellence within public services divisions. Key considerations include federal, state, and local political landscapes, organizational history, varying demographics, and social conditions resulting in diverse service demands and alignment with City of Austin priorities and pressures.

The selected candidate should be prepared to navigate these areas while supporting strong operations, employee engagement, community trust, and long-term service excellence.

Regarding Your Application:

• A detailed and complete Employment Application is required. A Resume and Cover Letter are required and will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online