Replacement - Head, Collections Strategy

Location: Ottawa, ON

Time Type: Full time

Posted On: October 03, 2024

Closing Date: November 01, 2024

Job Family: Library and Archives

Union Affiliation: APUO

Faculty/Department: Content and Access

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

The University of Ottawa Library seeks an innovative, motivated, and service-oriented Librarian to fill the Head of Collections Strategy position. The successful candidate will be a creative individual who works well with other colleagues in a challenging and changing environment.

Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Associate University Librarian, Content and Access, the Head of Collections Strategy is responsible for both managerial and operational activities that take place within their department.

The Head of Collections Strategy leads and supervises a team responsible for the strategic acquisition, development, management, and evaluation of content in all formats and across all disciplines to support the research, teaching, and administrative needs of the University community. The incumbent ensures responsible and efficient expenditure of the collections budget. The incumbent acts as the lead negotiator with vendors and publishers, manages consortial collection strategies, and guides the Library's processes for selecting preferred suppliers while ensuring adherence to University requirements. The incumbent manages the Library's collection assessment and evaluation activities, ensuring a user-centred, systematic approach and effective communication with the community.

The Head also ensures timely communication and consultation with other areas of the Library on issues relating to collections and acquisitions. The incumbent works closely with the other Heads in the Content and Access division to ensure seamless access to content, and to employ resource description and metadata strategies that enhance the discovery and use of the collection. This position oversees the day-to-day work of the acquisitions team, ensuring that both ongoing and one-time purchases of all materials are handled in a responsible, timely, and accurate manner.

The Head is a member of the Library Management Team and is engaged in the following:

• Providing input on strategic planning processes and operationalizing strategic plans
• Collaborating with other Management Team members to meet Library-wide objectives and coordinate cross-departmental workflows
• Developing and recommending creative solutions through policy changes, resource allocation, and new initiatives
• Interpreting and communicating Library direction, decisions, and impacts as appropriate
• Exploring new ways of achieving the Library's goals by, for example, challenging legacy practices

Term: This is an opportunity for a 12-month interim appointment beginning in January 2025.

Wage: Rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The anticipated hiring range for this position would normally be Rank II or III ($78,119 - $150,228) (Based on 2021-24 APUO Collective Agreement; subject to change).

Benefits package: The University of Ottawa provides a complete benefits package which includes long term disability, basic group life insurance, supplementary health insurance, University of Ottawa Pension Plan, and optional life insurance.

Location of work: Library, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5

Contact information: Talia Chung, University Librarian and Library Dean, University of Ottawa Library, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5.

Skills requirements:

Education: A Master's degree in Library and Information Studies (MLIS) from an ALA accredited institution or equivalent.

Work experience:

• At least 5 years of professional experience, or fewer if the experience is particularly pertinent to the position.
• Experience in human resources management and administration.
• Ability to establish and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders, excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Effective oral and written communication skills in both French and English.
• Knowledge of licensing models, budget management, collection assessment, consortial collection strategies, and collection development practices and trends.
• Knowledge of the scholarly communications and publishing landscape and its relationship to collections strategy.
• Knowledge of the library collections in relation to the academic mission of the university, and knowledge of the diverse purposes for which the collections are used.
• Ability to communicate on collections issues and strategies with library staff and with the university community to ensure broad engagement and dialogue.
• Highly collaborative, flexible, and collegial, with the ability to work in a team environment.
• Experience planning and implementing innovative projects and services that respond to user needs.
• Ability to engage, empower, and motivate, with a demonstrated ability to develop and implement effective change management strategies.

The University of Ottawa Library thanks all those who apply. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

The University of Ottawa is committed to ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion in the scholarly and leadership environments of our students, staff, and faculty. Accordingly, we strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples in Canada, visible minorities members (racialized persons), persons with disabilities, women, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with equitable, diverse, and inclusive communities. Candidates who wish to be considered as a member of one or more designated groups are asked to complete the confidential Self-Identification Questionnaire, to be completed at the time of application.

All qualified candidates are invited to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadians and permanent residents. When submitting your application, please indicate if you are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Ottawa provides accommodations for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you are invited to proceed in the selection process, please notify us of any accommodations that you require by contacting the Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty Relations by email at . Any information you send us will be handled respectfully and in complete confidence.

The University of Ottawa is proud of its 160-year tradition of bilingualism. Through its Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute, the University provides training to staff members and to their spouses in their second official language.

Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as defined in Policy 129 - Covid-19 Vaccination. This policy was suspended effective May 1, 2022 but may be reinstated at any point in the future depending on public health guidelines and the recommendations of experts.

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