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Senior Partnering Consultant

Senior Partnering Consultant

Vanderbilt University Job Location: Tennessee Date Created: 08-10-2022

The Senior Partnering Consultant - Libraries (SPC-L) is part of the Office of Data and Strategic Analytics (DSA) at Vanderbilt University and is a strategic partner to leadership at the Vanderbilt Libraries. Building on the insights of data and analysis, the SPC-L works with library leadership, the Assessment Librarian and university communications to increase the impact of the Libraries on the life of the institution. This position is funded by the Vanderbilt Libraries, reports directly to the Director of Academic Partnering, and has strong dotted line reporting and accountability relationship with the University Librarian, or their designee. The SPC-L will be part of the Libraries' leadership team and work at a strategic and operational level in the Libraries to ensure that decisions and objectives are based on high-quality and relevant data, information, and analysis. The individual will draw on relationships with others in the DSA team to access specialist support as required. They will provide feedback to DSA about priorities and preferences among users, to ensure that DSA outputs are focused on institutional and local need. Vanderbilt University is entering a time of ambitious change. With a dynamic new Chancellor and Provost, the campus is engaged in significant, positive transformation. The Chief Data Officer and the Office of Data and Strategic Analytics are based in the Chancellor's Office and work collaboratively with decision-makers and stakeholders across the university to support the strategic use of data. The DSA team has recently expanded and now comprises four teams (Academic Partnering; Administrative Partnering; Institutional Research and Assessment; and Data Governance and Solutions). DSA works closely with data leads in other parts of the university and with Information Technology (VUIT). The SPC-L will be able to shape and support this exciting period of strategic development for Vanderbilt and the Libraries. Duties and Responsibilities Engage with library leadership in strategic conversations to influence the alignment of operations, policies, programs, and resources with the mission of the Library and the University.
  • Work with library leadership to identify KPIs and prepare reports and narratives that demonstrate progress towards the goals.
  • Research University, Library, and industry trends and gather benchmark data to make Library leadership aware of opportunities to innovate and to enhance services levels to stakeholders.
  • Participate in quarterly library directors' meetings to discuss strategy and plans.
  • Contribute to the development and communication of the Libraries' value proposition to stakeholders.
Make data and analytical information accessible, relevant, and usable to leaders and stakeholders in the Libraries.
  • Understand the key strategic and operational issues facing the Libraries, place them into a broader context, and work collaboratively to explore how data, information, and analysis can best address the issues.
  • With an understanding of the goals and constraints of the Libraries, integrate disparate sources of information, including quantitative and qualitative data, to provide evidence-based, actionable analyses and recommendations.
  • Share and explain data, analysis, assessment findings, and similar information to leadership in the Libraries. This may include writing compelling narratives, customizing reports, and using a variety of tools, including Excel, PowerPoint, and data visualization software.
  • Advise on options, risks, and action plans for improving the Libraries' effectiveness.
  • Train on data usage, data literacy, data tools, and assessment, and serve as a source of data expertise.
Collect data and enhance data resources, especially those specific to the management of the Libraries. (NB: this section refers to data resources used to manage the Libraries and support the Libraries' service delivery, not the academic or bibliographic data resources which are what the Libraries deliver to the University and which are the responsibility of librarians.)
  • Identify ways to improve existing data resources and advise and lead on how to collect and curate data to be more effective.
  • Work with experts in the Libraries, DSA, and VUIT to ensure that the technical underpinnings and integration of data resources are fit for purpose and aligned with Vanderbilt's Data Strategy.
  • Serve as Data Steward for identified data resources within the Libraries, ensuring adequate data quality for known uses, documenting the data sources and definitions, overseeing data retention, managing data access, and ensuring data privacy standards are maintained.
  • Review the data resources supporting the Libraries' management and work with Vanderbilt's Data Governance Committee (chaired by the Chief Data Officer in DSA) to ensure good data governance and management.
  • Work with the Libraries and DSA to develop and implement assessment instruments for data collection, which might include surveys, focus groups, interviews, etc.
Support accreditation, compliance, and benchmarking processes.
  • Abide by professional codes of ethics for librarians such as the American Library Association Code of Ethics and the IFLA Code of Ethics for Librarians and other Information Workers.
  • Work with local and institutional leadership to support regional accreditation processes (SACSCOC).
  • Work with library leadership to support regional and disciplinary accreditation compliance requirements, particularly around data requirements specific to the library.
  • Draw on knowledge of national datasets and benchmarking efforts (e.g., LibQUAL+, IPEDS, NCES, Ithaka S+R, etc.), influential library assessment methods (e.g., EBLIP, SAILS, RAILS, Conspectus), and relevant library standards (e.g., ACRL Standards for Libraries in Higher Education) to advise the Libraries about engaging in initiatives and how to use the data that comes out of institutional and national datasets.
Serve as an intermediary between DSA and the Libraries.
  • Identify projects (e.g., assessment, surveys, analysis, reporting) which may require input from the broader DSA team and broker and facilitate those conversations.
  • Provide feedback to the DSA team about the effectiveness and impact of various office outputs, and about local priorities in the Libraries.
  • Remain abreast of developments elsewhere in the DSA team to identify what may be of use to the Libraries.
  • Contribute to or lead Library or DSA projects and support the development of institutional data capability (e.g., a more self-service data retrieval approach).
Cover for colleagues in the Academic Partnering team and collaborate as required inside and outside DSA. Qualifications
  • A master's degree is necessary, and an ALA-accredited MLS degree is preferred.
  • At least five years' experience working in a professional setting is necessary, including experience working with senior leaders, understanding of how they best receive and consume data and analysis.
  • Experience working in higher education is necessary, with a demonstrated understanding of how a higher educational institution works. This includes awareness of strategic challenges, knowledge of the formal structures, and an appreciation of the internal and external political context and how that influences appropriate behavior.
  • Experience of working in an academic library setting is strongly preferred.
  • Experience of working with quantitative information and data is necessary; this may be demonstrated by academic or professional experience.
  • Ability to understand and translate quantitative data for a wide variety of audiences is necessary.
  • Excellent people skills are necessary because the Partnering Consultant needs to be able develop a rapport with a wide range of individuals, including senior leaders.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills are necessary, including the ability to shape the opinions of others based on an understanding of their reservations and motivations.
  • Ability to manipulate and present data in Excel is necessary.
  • Experience with Tableau or a similar data visualization tool is strongly preferred.
  • Ability to do descriptive statistical analysis (e.g., compute means, variances, change over time) is necessary.
  • Ability to present to and train targeted audiences is necessary.
  • Ability to learn quickly and independently and to identify one's own learning needs is necessary.
  • Strong time-management skills are necessary to effectively prioritize and complete campus area and institutional projects.
  • Excellent problem solving and critical thinking skills are necessary, with the intellectual agility to move from theoretical to practical and back again and drawing together a variety of different inputs to draw a conclusion.
  • Training in and experience of more advanced statistical techniques is preferred.
  • Candidates are encouraged to highlight in their applications additional skills that might contribute to team goals. These may include: bibliometrics and analysis of scholarly outputs; qualitative analysis; survey implementation and analysis; data governance; coding for data manipulation and analysis, especially SQL, R, Python, or similar; data science; etc.
Please apply online at: https://ecsr.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX/requisitions/preview/10002726   Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education. Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.   About Us Vanderbilt is a community of talented and diverse staff & faculty! At Vanderbilt University, our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice through:
  • Working and growing together as a community of communities... we are One Vanderbilt.
  • Providing a work environment where every staff and faculty member can be their authentic and best self, while providing the resources and opportunities to learn and grow.
  • Encouraging development, collaboration, and partnership both internally and externally while fostering the value that every member of the Vanderbilt community can lead and grow regardless of title or position.
We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.

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