Associate Dean of Libraries and Information Resources

Description

Associate Dean of Libraries and Information Resources

University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota invites an innovative, collaborative leader to join the Chester Fritz Library at an historic and exciting time in our history. Our university has record enrollments, with more than 15,800 students from all 50 states and nearly 100 countries. Grounded in UND LEADS, the library has launched a new strategic plan, articulating an ambitious strategy for the library toward accelerated impact and excellence. Our goal is to serve our community as a premier research library, recognized as an impactful partner who drives student success and faculty excellence. If the opportunity to be part of building this future inspires you, consider joining us.

Position Summary

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.

Key Responsibilities

Chester Fritz Library Management/Administration (40%)

• 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 (25%)

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 (25%)

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 (10%)

• Engage in professional development activities that enhance expertise in change management, leadership development, and library innovation.
• Contribute to the advancement of the profession through presentations, publications, and service activities related to change leadership.
• Maintain awareness of emerging trends and best practices in premier academic libraries, particularly in areas of organizational development.
• Participate in grant writing and funding development activities that support library innovation and organizational transformation.

Qualifications

Required:

• 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.

Demonstrated Success in several of the following is strongly preferred:

• 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

Applicant Instructions

Applicants should be prepared to upload the following documents when applying online within the Resume/Cover Letter section of your applicant:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• Contact Information for 3 Professional Reference

Link: https://careers.und.edu/jobs/associate-dean-of-libraries-and-information-resources-grand-forks-north-dakota-united-states 

Applications that are missing any of the required items may not move forward for consideration.

About the University of North Dakota and the Chester Fritz Library

The Chester Fritz Library (CFL) is the main library at the University of North Dakota (UND) and the largest library in the state, housing over two million print and non-print items. The library has a budget of $9 million and a team of 42, including 21 librarians and archivists. CFL has three branch libraries: the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) Library, the F. D. Holland Geology Library, and the Gordon Erickson Music Library. UND Art Collections, which includes 30,000 pieces of art and art-related objects by regional and internationally known artists, is also part of the Chester Fritz Library. In addition, we work closely with colleagues in libraries located in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences and the School of Law.

The University of North Dakota, founded in 1883 — six years before North Dakota achieved statehood — is the state’s flagship institution of higher education. UND enrolls more than 15,800 students from all 50 states and nearly 100 countries, making it the largest and most globally connected University in the region. As the largest and most diverse university in the state, UND enrolls students from all 50 states and nearly 100 countries. Enrollment is on the rise, fueled by strong freshman classes and growing interest from students across the state, the nation and around the world. Offering more than 225 fields of study from bachelor’s to doctoral levels, UND combines a strong liberal arts foundation with nationally recognized strengths in professional fields including law, medicine, business, engineering, education, aerospace, and health sciences. UND is classified as a Carnegie R1: Very High Research Activity university, placing it among the top tier of U.S. research institutions.

UND’s 516-acre campus in Grand Forks, North Dakota, provides a dynamic setting where discovery, teaching and service thrive within a welcoming college community of more than 70,000 residents, including Grand Forks, its sister city of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, and the nearby Grand Forks Air Force Base. Grand Forks consistently earns national recognition as one of the best places to live in North Dakota. With the cost of living nearly 10% below the national average, excellent public schools and short commutes, Grand Forks offers an outstanding quality of life. The community is known for its safety, friendliness, and strong partnership with UND, a relationship honored with the International Town & Gown Association’s Larry Abernathy Award.

Compensation Pay Range:

$113,000-$117,200+

The University of North Dakota is an equal opportunity employer (veteran/disability). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or other protected characteristic. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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