Associate Dean of Libraries and Information Resources

Salary/Position Classification

• $113,000- $117,200 annual, Exempt

Purpose of Position

The Associate Dean of Libraries and Information Resources reports directly to the Dean of Libraries and Information Resources at the University of North Dakota. Under the administrative direction of the Dean, the Associate Dean advances the Library’s vision, mission, and strategic plan through innovative change management and collaborative leadership.

Working closely with the Dean and department heads, the Associate Dean helps execute an ambitious strategy to position the University of North Dakota Libraries as a premier academic library system in North America through organizational transformation, innovation, and forward-thinking practices. This role serves as a visible and influential leader within the Libraries, across campus, throughout the state, and nationally—positively representing UND, its Libraries, and their forward-looking vision.

The Associate Dean engages in fundraising and grant writing, contributes to national and international service and professional engagement, and maintains strong awareness of emerging trends and best practices among leading academic libraries. The position plays a central role in mentoring, coaching, and developing department heads and emerging leaders through comprehensive leadership development initiatives. In addition, the Associate Dean fosters strong faculty and staff collaboration across the UND Libraries, the broader university community, and the system.

The Associate Dean serves as a transformational change leader who champions innovation, strengthens collaborative partnerships, and cultivates a culture of continuous learning, assessment, and adaptation.

Duties & Responsibilities

Chester Fritz Library Management/Administration

• Partner with the Libraries Dean in the overall leadership and administration of the University Library.
• Collaborate with the Dean and department heads to execute a strategy positioning UND Libraries as a premier research library in North America.
• Serve on the Library’s leadership team, contributing to policy development, planning, problem-solving, and decision-making.
• Lead and support strategic planning, long-range visioning, and organizational transformation initiatives.
• Participate in budget planning and resource allocation aligned with strategic priorities.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with campus libraries and external partners to ensure seamless services and collaborative initiatives.
• Lead and manage complex, cross-functional projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Provide leadership in innovation, workflow analysis, and process design to align operations with institutional goals and research library best practices.
• Promote a robust service model with strong staffing, effective outreach, and a culture of assessment and data-informed decision-making.
• Engage in fundraising, donor relations, and grant development to support collections, programs, technology, spaces, and services.
• Ensure compliance with university policies while fostering an innovative, supportive, and collaborative work environment.

Mentoring, Professional Growth, and Leadership Development

In partnership with the Library Dean and department heads:

• Lead a comprehensive mentoring and coaching framework that builds leadership capacity across all levels.
• Mentor direct reports and establish consistent professional development expectations across departments.
• Facilitate professional growth through coaching, skill-building workshops, cross-training, and succession planning.
• Establish regular performance conversations focused on strengths, career development, and organizational excellence.
• Model and train supervisors in effective mentoring, coaching, and conflict resolution practices.
• Collaborate with HR and campus partners on recruitment, retention, and professional development initiatives.
• Foster a culture of trust, collaboration, and high team performance.

Collaborative Partnerships and Strategic Team Leadership

In partnership with the Library Dean and department heads:

• Build and strengthen collaborative relationships across campus to advance student success and faculty excellence.
• Lead cross-unit and cross-institutional initiatives that advance innovation and best practices.
• Partner with academic, student services, and technology units to develop integrated, user-centered services.
• Represent UND Libraries in regional, national, and international partnerships and professional networks.
• Develop team-based approaches to project management, service delivery, and organizational effectiveness.
• Create structures that promote shared decision-making and cross-functional collaboration.
• Foster partnerships with community organizations and cultural institutions to expand impact and resources.

Model engagement in national professional service and professional activities

• Engage in professional development focused on change management, leadership, and library innovation.
• Contribute to the profession through presentations, publications, and service related to organizational leadership.
• Maintain awareness of emerging trends and best practices in academic libraries.
• Participate in grant writing and funding development to advance innovation and transformation.

Required Competencies

• Demonstrated leadership skills
• Demonstrated knowledge of current practices in research libraries
• Demonstrated expertise in current issues and trends in academic libraries
• Ability to motivate, develop, and mentor others, and to welcome and support diverse ideas, cultures, and experiences.

Minimum Requirements

• Graduate degree from an American Library Association accredited program
• 10 years of academic or research library experience
• 5 years of experience in an academic or research library in a leadership role
• Project management experience
• Experience in staff coaching or mentoring
• Experience in grant writing, management, or development
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with budget management
• Experience serving as a PI on state or federal grants
• Experience in developing a culture of innovation and organizational resilience
• Demonstrated national leadership in one or more areas of academic librarianship
• A robust record of professional and scholarly activity
• Experience implementing and sustaining collaborative teams

To Apply

To ensure full consideration, applications must be submitted by April 5, 2026.

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