"Dean of Library Services - 002804"

About WCU:

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including:
2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC systems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary:

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being a Senior Academic Administrative Officer (SAAO).
The Dean of Library Services serves as the chief administrative and academic officer of Hunter Library, part of the Division of Academic Affairs, reporting directly to the Provost. This position provides strategic leadership, overseeing the librarys functions and aligning its goals with university priorities. Key responsibilities include developing strategies that support curriculum, research, and student learning in collaboration with faculty and academic leaders.
The Dean of Library Services is also responsible for financial management, including budget planning and compliance with university policies. Supervising library staff, managing performance evaluations, and fostering professional development are essential aspects of the role. The Dean will lead on tenure and promotion matters and the integration of library services into academic programs.
Representing Hunter Library in meetings with the Provost, senior leadership, and external stakeholders is vital, along with supporting fundraising efforts. Finally, the Dean ensures efficient daily operations, focusing on service delivery and policy compliance across library units. The Office of the Dean includes an Associate Dean, a Business Officer, an Executive Assistant, an Administrative Support Associate, and a Special Initiatives Librarian.

About Hunter Library:

Hunter Library is a member of the University Library Advisory Council (ULAC) for the University of North Carolina. The library shares an integrated library system and lending services with participating institutions across the UNC system. Hunter Library maintains a robust collection of physical and electronic resources that serves the curricular and research needs of the universitys students, faculty, and staff. The collection includes over a million print and electronic books; access to more than 100,000 journals; and digital and physical collections that document the university, the surrounding natural environment, and regional history and culture.
Through a subject specialist model, librarians at Hunter Library work in close collaboration with teaching faculty and offer information literacy instruction that prepares students to succeed in the research required for both their academic and professional careers. Hunter Library offers many additional services and spaces, including the Curriculum Materials Center, which serves the College of Education and Allied Professions as well as students enrolled in WCUs lab school, and the Scholar Studio, a space housing equipment, technology, and support services for students creating analog and digital research products.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Interested candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employment sponsorship or any immigration-related assistance.
2. Earned MLS or equivalent terminal degree from an ALA-accredited program or an advanced degree in a related field with evidence of achievement and promise for academic library leadership. Strong record of professional and scholarly experience qualifying for tenure at the rank of associate or full professor.
3. Demonstrated leadership experience in key academic library positions, with a solid understanding of the core functions of academic libraries.
4. Proven advocacy for university libraries as fundamental to the academic enterprise and student success.
5. Knowledge of core functions and trends of academic libraries that include circulation and interlibrary loan departments, technology services, special and digital collections, research and instruction, and a curriculum materials center.
6. Significant experience in budget management and financial oversight.
7. Commitment to employee development, actively supporting the growth of staff and tenured, tenure-track, and fixed term faculty.
8. Experience in shared governance, demonstrating the ability to build consensus, engage in transparent decision-making, and foster a collegial work environment while effectively collaborating with broad constituencies both within and outside the library.
9. Exceptional interpersonal skills, characterized by a clear and open communication style.
10. Knowledge of tenure and promotion processes as they relate to faculty positions in academic libraries.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Demonstrated success in developing and implementing innovative approaches in response to changes in scholarly communication.
2. Familiarity with operations and goals of a regional comprehensive university and its academic library.
3. Knowledge of tenure processes, with specific experience in mentoring faculty through these processes.
4. Experience in securing external funding through grants and private fundraising initiatives.
5. Understanding of information technology as it pertains to library services and instructional support in addition to physical and digital forms of collection management, preservation and access.

Position Type:

Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants:

The salary for this position is competitive and commensurate with qualifications. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.
To complete your application, please include:

• A letter detailing your interest in and qualifications for the position.
• A current curriculum vitae.
• The names and contact information of at least five references, including their job titles and institutions.

Please note that candidates who advance in the selection process will be contacted prior to the search committee reaching out to your references. At least one reference must be a current or former direct supervisor.
All applicants must submit their application materials through WCUs jobs application site. Hard copy materials will not be accepted for consideration.
For questions or additional information, please contact search committee chair Dr. Kim Winter at kkruebel@email.wcu.edu or (828) 227-7311.

To apply, please visit: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/32542