Head, Collection Assessment and Licensing

Summary

About the Department: The Access & Resource Management (ARM) division works across the Libraries to support the University’s strategic goals and plan by acquiring, managing, and providing access to scholarly resources that enhance curricular and research needs. The division manages the lifecycle of the University Libraries’ scholarly collection from budget development to point of ordering to provision of access and all associated maintenance and assessment. The division is comprised of three departments: Collection Management, Discovery Services, and Access Services. The Collection Management department brings together the units of Resource Acquisition, Collection Assessment & Licensing, and Resource Sharing to provide holistic management of the Libraries’ research collections. The Collection Assessment & Licensing unit focuses on the assessment and analysis of the Libraries’ collections, the implementation of collection priorities, and the licensing of research content in alignment with those priorities. 

About the Position: Within the Collection Management department of the ARM division, the Head, Collection Assessment and Licensing coordinates the assessment of the Libraries’ research collections, whether owned, subscribed to, shared, open, accessed, or otherwise made available to the George Mason University scholarly community. This position negotiates new and complex license agreements for library electronic resources and serves as the expert on trends and issues in library electronic resource licensing. The Head, Collections Assessment and Licensing supports and participates in collection development for the Libraries and supports the Collection Assessment & Licensing unit. The position reports to the Director, Collection Management. Participates in committees, task forces, and/or workgroups as required to share knowledge, develop best practices, and implement and advance the work of the Libraries.

Description

Responsibilities:

Collection Assessment 

  • Oversees the evaluation of the Libraries' research collections to help ensure they effectively meet the needs of its users and align with the Libraries' goals;
  • Works with the unit's Specialists to prepare product and program analysis for the Collection Management Council's review and use.;
  • Works collaboratively with the Data Discoverability Unit in applying ever-developing and increasingly sophisticated methods for assessing all aspects of the Libraries’ collections and their use;
  • Assesses the intellectual component and usage of the Libraries’ approval plans and related models such as demand-driven or evidence-based purchasing of content; and
  • Maintains awareness of new developments in librarianship, information access, and assessment methodologies. 

Electronic Resource Licensing 

  • Coordinates the licensing of new and complex electronic resources, including reading licenses, suggesting licensing language, and reviewing existing licenses for comparison and needed updates, working in close partnership with Resource Acquisition personnel, who focus on licenses for product renewals;
  • Serves as the expert on trends and issues in library electronic resource licensing; develops and maintains expertise on current and emerging best practices for licensing, including for complex resources such as streaming media, data, and open access agreements;
  • Serves as the Libraries' primary contact for new and complex electronic resource licensing with the University's Office of General Counsel and Procurement; and
  • Helps create policies, documentation, a shared workflow, and a tracking system for the steps of electronic resources licensing. 

Collection Development 

  • Identifies collection gaps and areas where collections spending is misaligned with current curricula;
  • Supports and participates in collections planning and strategic decision-making for acquisition or cancellation using data; and
  • Negotiates product renewals in collaboration with the Director, Collection Management and Head, Resource Acquisition, as needed. 

Supervision 

  • Sets clear performance goals that align with the Libraries’ mission and strategic plan;
  • Effectively communicates expectations to team member(s), organizes workflows to optimize productivity, and ensures clarity around roles and responsibilities;
  • Drives employee engagement and development by monitoring performance, providing actionable feedback, fostering professional growth through coaching and training, and promoting a collaborative work environment; and
  • Champions compliance by upholding university policies, legal standards, and ethical practices, and takes decisive action when necessary to address performance and/or behavioral issues. 

Service and Scholarship 

  • Engages in university and professional service, and in research and creative work as outlined in the George Mason University Librarians’ Handbook and University Libraries Librarians’ Council Bylaws. 
Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

  • ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library or Information Science OR an equivalent certified foreign degree or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
  • Professional library experience involving collection assessment and/or collection development in an academic or research library setting;
  • Experience evaluating and assessing library collections;
  • Experience negotiating electronic resource licenses;
  • Supervisory or team lead experience;
  • Demonstrated knowledge of collection assessment methodologies, tools, and metrics used to evaluate academic library collections;
  • Knowledge of trends, standards, and best practices in electronic resource licensing, including copyright, intellectual property, and accessibility compliance;
  • Demonstrates strong communication and interpersonal skills to convey complex ideas with clarity and impact to a variety of audiences working collaboratively with colleagues, vendors, and stakeholders;
  • Strong analytical skills, with the ability to collect, interpret, and present data to support decision-making;
  • Ability to negotiate complex licensing agreements with vendors; and
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to evolving needs in a fast-paced academic environment.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience leading collection assessment projects in an academic or research library;
  • Considerable experience with data analysis tools or approaches;
  • Experience supervising professional staff in a collection assessment, licensing, or electronic resources environment;
  • Advanced knowledge of national licensing standards;
  • Skill in presenting complex data in accessible formats for diverse audiences, including administration and faculty;
  • Ability to develop policies, workflows, and best practices for collection assessment and licensing; and
  • Proficiency with integrated library systems, electronic resource management systems, and assessment tools.
About

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Head, Collection Assessment and Licensing at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume for review.

Posting Open Date: September 23, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  October 14, 2025

Director of Finance and Administration

Summary

WRLC is seeking a Director of Finance and Administration, a position that plays a key role in achieving the Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC) vision and mission by providing leadership and operational management for financial, facilities and administrative services. This position is the primary fiduciary officer for the WRLC, ensuring appropriate controls for financial transaction processing and reporting; the communication of timely and accurate financial information; and the safeguarding of company assets. Financial responsibilities include payroll, budgeting, treasury, capital planning, audits and taxes. Administrative responsibilities include risk management, human resources and facilities management.

We seek candidates who are excited by the opportunity to engage in partnership and collaboration among higher education colleagues across the Washington, DC area. Of particular importance is ensuring accurate accounting and timely reporting of the company’s financial position to staff and Board leadership to make sound financial decisions. The Director of Finance should be comfortable in a hands-on role and working in a cross-departmental collaborative setting.

Description

The Director of Finance and Administration is a member of the WRLC leadership team, and collaborates with personnel from the libraries, universities and vendors as appropriate. This position reports to the Executive Director and supervises staff responsible for planning, implementing and maintaining financial, facilities and administrative services.
 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Financial responsibilities: Plans and directs all accounting and finance operations in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and non-profit best practices. Prepares the annual operating and capital budgets in consultation with the leadership team. Monitors and manages cash and investment income, expenses and recommends modifications in operations to maintain financial health. Prepares and presents financial and statistical analysis of operations for the Executive Director, the Board of Directors and senior managers. Serves as principal liaison with auditors in the preparation of year-end financial statements and Form 990 federal tax return. Oversees the financial risk strategy and treasury-related activities, including investments. Manages relationships with financial institutions, investment managers, auditors, insurance and other consultants. Promotes financial transparency through consistent communication and collaboration with senior level colleagues, the Library Directors Council and the Board of Directors. 
     
  2. Contract/Facilities Management: Coordinates with Facilities Manager to direct contracted maintenance and ad hoc service vendors. These vendors ensure effective and efficient operation of building systems, facilities and property maintenance. Reports to the Library Directors Council and the Board of Directors on facilities budgeting, contracts and capital improvements. Reviews operations and environments to insure compliance with federal regulations and relevant safety standards.
     
  3. Human Resources: Guide and manage human resources services, policies and programs. Facilitate and administer the recruitment, hiring and onboarding of staff. In conjunction with the Executive Director, oversee performance management, employee relations, compensation and benefits administration. Develop and document personnel policies and processes. Administer employee retirement, health, safety, welfare and wellness plans and services.
     
  4. Executive Functions: Provide leadership and performance management for Head of Facilities and Staff Accountant. Establishes performance expectations and ensures annual review. Attend Library Directors Council, Finance Committee, and Board of Director meetings, and other task forces as required. Undertake special projects and perform other duties as assigned. Seek new knowledge and update skills to enhance performance in all areas of responsibility.
Qualifications

EXPECTED
 

  • Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or other related field.
  • Five to seven years increasingly responsible professional experience with broad financial and operations management experience with a non-profit corporation.
  • Effective oral, written and interpersonal communication skills with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and to successfully manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Customer centered orientation
  • Demonstrated abilities:
    • Preparing and presenting budgets to both finance and non-finance audiences
    • Preparing and presenting accounting, financial and operational reports and audits
    • Soliciting, evaluating and negotiating contracts with vendors
    • Minimizing and managing risk
    • Human Resources administration, including health, dental and life insurance, retirement plans, recruiting, hiring, assessing and retaining staff
    • Solve problems and meet deadlines
       

DESIRED
 

  • Masters degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or another related field.
  • Experience managing and monitoring building maintenance systems and services.
  • Experience working with non-profit corporation boards
About

The Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC) was established as a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization in 1987 to support and enhance the library and information services of nine partner universities in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. We accomplish our mission  by expanding and coordinating services between research libraries and staff. The WRLC staff work from a facility located between Upper Marlboro and Bowie, MD that also houses a high-density climate-controlled shelving facility.

The WRLC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Compensation:

  • Salary range: $120,000 - $135,000
  • Benefits: Total compensation includes an extensive benefits plan including health, dental and vision insurance and a generous 403b contribution and match outlined at: WRLC Benefits Summary 

Environment:

  • This is a fulltime hybrid position with 3 days per week required in office
  • 35 hour work week
  • Work schedule is negotiable

Apply:

  • Please email your resume, a cover letter outlining your relevant experience, and contact information for at least three professional references to: personnel@wrlc.org