Associate University Librarian for Learning, Research, & Engagement
Associate University Librarian for Learning, Research, & Engagement
George Mason University Libraries seek to fill the position of the Associate University Librarian for Learning, Research, & Engagement. George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment.
About the Department:
The University Libraries forms an intellectual nexus for George Mason University. We foster innovation, creativity, and imagination by facilitating access to scholarship and information, providing expert consultation in the research process, and actively teaching the effective and critical use of information. And we fulfill a critical role in the creation, dissemination, and preservation of knowledge.
The Learning, Research, and Engagement Division (LRE) of the Libraries has primary responsibility for the spectrum of services and programs related to the outward-focused, direct engagement with undergraduate and graduate students and faculty pertaining to teaching, learning, and research, including the assessment (in conjunction with the Libraries’ Assessment and Planning Office) of such services and programs. The LRE division consists of four major departments and is staffed by a significant number of professional faculty, classified staff, graduate assistants, and wage employees (mainly undergraduate students).
Through the three disciplinary teams of subject specialist librarians (Arts & Humanities; STEM; and Social Sciences) and including the branch Mercer and Mason Square Libraries, the LRE division works continuously with individual faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates on their individual learning and research needs by working closely with academic departments, programs, and schools/colleges. Subject specialist librarians within the three broad disciplinary teams contribute to the intellectual enterprise through selection expertise for building the Libraries’ research collections – in all forms and formats – and ensuring these collections meet the ever-developing needs of the university’s academic and research programs.
Through the Teaching and Learning Team, LRE works collaboratively with faculty and program administrators from such areas as the Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research (OSCAR), the Honors Program, the Communications Lab, the Mason/NOVA Advance Partnership; English 101 and 302 course administration, etc., to provide intensive, and broad-based instruction and related services to classes and groups of students.
About the Position:
The Associate University Librarian (AUL) for Learning, Research, and Engagement (LRE) is responsible for the leadership, planning, and administrative oversight of most of the University Libraries’ outwardly focused programs, services, and initiatives that directly impact the George Mason community of students at all levels, faculty, and researchers. The AUL for LRE leads the division in the development and articulation of an innovative and compelling vision for advancing teaching, learning, and research, as well as the importance of the libraries (as well as research commons) as place for the GMU community. While also engaging directly with faculty, academic administrators, and students, the AUL works with Libraries’ faculty and staff to innovate, design, pilot, implement, promote, and assess user-focused services that respond to a rapidly changing scholarly environment, in support of the Libraries’ mission and vision. This position works collaboratively as part of Dean’s Executive Team (the senior leadership team) to help develop and implement the Libraries’ strategic priorities.
Responsibilities:
- Consults with, apprises, and advises the Dean of Libraries & University Librarian of issues within the scope and content of the LRE division’s mission and associated resources, services and programs;
- Provides leadership, administrative oversight, budgetary responsibility, and coordination for the Libraries’ system-wide departments involved with teaching, learning, research services, user engagement, and advising on the Libraries’ research collections through subject expertise;
- Fosters an environment that encourages exploration, innovation, and implementation of new approaches to teaching, learning, and scholarship in a rapidly changing digital learning and work environment;
- Works to support existing partnerships within the university (such as those with OSCAR, the Communications Lab, the Honors Program, the Early Identification Program, the English Composition Program, the Writing Center and the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning), as well establish new partnerships, both internal and external to George Mason University;
- In conjunction with the Assistant Dean for Administration, leads and collaborates on initiatives to maximize creative and attractive teaching, learning, and research spaces, including possibilities of learning commons environments;
- Serves as a member of Dean’s Executive Team to review and establish University Libraries’ policies, strategically plan system-wide programs and services, evaluate resources and services, and contribute to the development of grant proposals for projects and activities requiring external funding;
- Manages personnel and training for all departments and units within the LRE division of the libraries and provides leadership for the professional development and training of the directors, department heads, and library faculty and staff within the division;
- Oversees preparation of budget requests for Wages expenditures and other than personnel services expenditures for the LRE division;
- Works closely with the heads of the Mercer and Mason Square Libraries to assure excellent collections and services;
- Ensures timely and ongoing assessment of all LRE programs and initiatives, including those concerned with learning and instruction, user engagement (encompassing both student and faculty dimensions), research services and programs, and prepares reports, studies, and analyses as needed;
- Works with regional, state, and national consortia/networks and other professional agencies, particularly with the Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA), with the Washington Research Libraries Consortium (WRLC), and Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL), related to activities falling within the scope of the position’s role and responsibilities; and
- Performs other administrative, management, and leadership functions within University Libraries and to support the university community as needed/requested, including leadership of and service on University Libraries as well as university-wide committees.
Minimum Qualifications:
- ALA-accredited graduate degree, or certified foreign equivalent;
- Substantial experience and record of accomplishments in at least two of the following functional areas: academic programs liaison and faculty outreach; instructional services; reference and research services provision; and user/campus engagement and programmatic partnerships;
- Substantial budgetary experience, particularly related to program development, discretionary funds, or Wages budgets;
- Knowledge of assessment techniques and trends in academic libraries;
- Demonstrated ability to adapt and collaborate in a rapidly changing organizational and institutional environment;
- Experience managing supervisory/managerial personnel, library faculty, and other staff, including excellent and proven skills in mentoring and leading employees, and as well with employee relations matters;
- Ability to conceptualize, and capacity to innovate and contribute toward, transformative organizational change, to advance development of library faculty and staff, and foster access, diversity and inclusion for both members of the academic community served and library employees;
- Demonstrated commitment to academic outreach and to student/faculty engagement; and
- Exemplary leadership and communication skills, along with interpersonal skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced academic (i.e., discipline) degree;
- Preferred candidates will demonstrate significant, progressively responsible management/administrative-level experience (8+ years) further preference if within an academic or research library setting;
- Expertise in strategizing, planning, visioning, and change management;
- Experience in the management of multiple functional areas/departments;
- Classroom teaching experience and conversant with higher education pedagogies;
- Knowledge of scholarly communications trends (including open access models, intellectual property domain, and open educational resources);
- Experience with or knowledge of grants writing, and familiarity with development/advancement work; and
- Experience with regional and national academic library consortia.
George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in both academics and research. Mason holds a top U.S. News and World Report “Up and Coming” spot for national universities and is recognized for its global appeal and excellence in higher education.
Mason is currently the largest and most diverse university in Virginia with students and faculty from all 50 states and over 135 countries studying in over 200 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William, as well as at learning locations across the commonwealth. Rooted in Mason’s diversity is a campus culture that is both rewarding and exciting, work that is meaningful, and opportunities to both collaborate and create.
If you are interested in joining the Mason family take a look at our current opportunities and catch some Mason spirit at jobs.gmu.edu/!
George Mason University, Where Innovation is Tradition.
George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.
