Executive Director, Knowledge and Library Services

Job Summary

Harvard Business School (HBS) seeks a seasoned leader to fill the role of Executive Director of Knowledge and Library Services (www.library.hbs.edu), a pre-eminent academic business research library and a key component of the Harvard Library system. A thought-leader and innovator, Knowledge and Library Services (KLS) leverages staff expertise, an unparalleled collection, and an extensive technology ecosystem to acquire, create, manage, preserve, and disseminate information to further HBS’s mission to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. The department name reflects its scope of responsibility, which extends the traditional role of an academic library with a knowledge management focus that seeks to make HBS’s priority content (physical and digital) findable and accessible for dissemination and reuse. As an integral part of the HBS community, KLS supports the teaching, research, and lifelong learning needs of HBS faculty, staff, students, and alumni, Harvard University, and the global academic research community.

Job-Specific Responsibilities

KLS sits at the intersection of rapidly evolving landscapes (e.g., business, higher education, research libraries, technology). The Executive Director (ED) is responsible for leading a team of cross-disciplinary experts in providing service excellence, while supporting School priorities including the future of work, HBS plan for racial equity, and digital transformation. Primary responsibilities include: establishing KLS’s vision, strategy, and implementation plan; managing relationships with faculty and stakeholders; and, prioritizing resource allocation with a $14M budget and 56 permanent staff plus a contingent workforce. The ED is also accountable for research and course support, information and data management services, information products (including Working Knowledge, faculty microsites, Harvard Business Publishing (HBP) products, newsletters, etc.), contemporary and historical collections, the HBS art collection, and a content management system and discovery platform.

Critical to this role is communicating the value KLS can contribute across HBS, establishing strong ties with administrative partners who work in collaboration to support the School’s priorities, and positioning customer-centric strategies to meet faculty, staff, student, and alumni needs. The ED will be a global leader in innovative academic research library services, an inclusive and inspiring manager, and an entrepreneurial strategist.

Basic Qualifications

• MLS or equivalent degree required.
• 10+ years' experience as a Director or Associate Director of a substantial academic, research, or corporate library or information center required.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Related 2nd master's or doctorate welcome.
• Seeking a breadth of experience, scope of knowledge, and the strategic outlook required to be a driving force at HBS for the development of new knowledge management methods and information products, and library services and programs.
• Proven understanding of scholarly communication and research processes.
• Solid grounding in the uses of information and the technologies for delivering it to the user. Demonstrated ability to plan strategically and to successfully implement those plans.
• Proven organizational, interpersonal, communication, and consultative skills.
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging.
• Demonstrated ability to develop trusting working relationships with University colleagues, vendors and peers in the broader library ecosystem.
• Solid track record in developing, motivating, and managing a cross-disciplinary team essential.

Additional Information

During the current period of COVID-19 related restrictions, this position may start as a remote position with the transition to onsite at HBS campus in Boston, MA when the office reopens.

While we continue to monitor the evolving COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions, we appreciate your understanding and flexibility with our interview process. Please note that we will be conducting interviews virtually (phone and or Zoom) for selected candidates until further notice.

A cover letter is required to be considered for this opportunity.

Harvard Business School will not offer visa sponsorship for this opportunity.

Culture of Inclusion: The work and well-being of HBS is profoundly strengthened by the diversity of our network and our differences in background, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and life experiences. Explore more about HBS work culture here.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Learn More »