Associate Dean for Technology & Digital Scholarship

Florida State University Libraries has retained Jack Farrell & Associates (www.jackfarrell.com) to find the winning candidate for this important hire. Interested candidates should please see below for instructions on the required materials (CV & letter). Thank you.   Associate Dean for Technology and Digital Scholarship   Tallahassee, FL   Florida State University Libraries seeks a highly collaborative, creative, and strategic leader for the position of Associate Dean for Technology and Digital Scholarship. Reporting to the Dean of University Libraries, the Associate Dean works with a team of senior leaders, department directors, and staff to provide overall vision and leadership for the Libraries’ Digital Infrastructure, Web Development, and Digital Research and Scholarship departments. These departments include 20 full-time employees working on a range of dynamic and exciting projects, including development and maintenance of a hybrid digital infrastructure comprised of both open-source platforms and vendor-hosted solutions, increasing emphasis on migrating legacy applications to the cloud, and a wide range of programs and services to support emerging research needs on campus. Technology and Digital Scholarship works in partnership across the Libraries and University to enhance learning and research for undergraduate and graduate programs and to advance the University’s goals.   The Associate Dean will serve as a member of a highly effective Senior Leadership Team to plan, allocate resources, and make decisions to advance the libraries’ strategic plan. All Associate Deans have responsibility for adopting a holistic, library-wide view in terms of communication, collaboration, and fostering an innovative work culture. The successful candidate will work collaboratively and strategically to develop a shared vision and goals aligned with Florida State University’s priorities. The university is focused on enhancing research and supporting an engaging learning environment for students. The Libraries are a key partner in this endeavor. Tallahassee and Florida State University benefit from a rich diversity in our communities and the person in this position will be expected to advance our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The position is located in the Robert Manning Strozier Library on the FSU campus in Tallahassee, Florida, and relocation assistance is available to the selected candidate.   The FSU Libraries As a center of intellectual community, FSU Libraries inspire curiosity, discovery, and learning by providing equitable access to information, enhancing scholarship, promoting critical thinking, and fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion.  The University Libraries offer expert teaching and research support, technology rich learning spaces, research materials and rich distinctive collections, and support students and partner with faculty on award-winning scholarship, grants, and groundbreaking research.   With over two million visitors each year, our libraries provide around-the-clock assistance to our large, diverse community.  The Libraries are a member of the Association of Research Libraries, the Association of Southeast Research Libraries, HathiTrust, the Council on Library and Information Resources, the Center for Research Libraries, Coalition for Networked Information, Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition, Library Publishing Coalition, and serve as the Florida hub for the Digital Public Library of America.   FSU One of the nation's elite research universities, Florida State University advances cutting-edge research in the sciences, technology, arts, humanities, and professions, while embracing a philosophy of learning strongly rooted in the traditions of the liberal arts, entrepreneurship, and critical thinking. FSU's welcoming campus is located on the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida, in a community that fosters free inquiry and embraces diversity, along with championship athletics, and a prime location in the heart of the state capital.   Home to over 45,000 students and nearly 400,000 living alumni, FSU is ranked #55 in National Universities and #19 Top Public Schools by US News & World Report. The university has steadily continued to rise in ranking – from #43 in 2016 to #19 in 2022 – with each freshman class exceeding the previous in academic success and potential. Florida State is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity". The university comprises 19 separate colleges and more than 110 centers, facilities, labs, and institutes that offer more than 360 programs of study, including professional school programs.   The FSU Libraries are located in beautiful Tallahassee, Florida. Learn more about the town and region at https://visittallahassee.com/.  Home to the state’s capital, two major universities, a large community college, and an array of museums, attractions, and unique experiences, Tallahassee shares a deep-rooted history and culture with unparalleled nature and outdoor recreation. Situated in the Florida Panhandle, Tallahassee is a place where college town meets cultural center, politics meets performing arts, and history meets nature.   Responsibilities:

• Direct a team of three department heads and provide strategic direction to all librarians and staff (20 in total) in the Technology and Digital Scholarship Division. Use collective leadership strategies to build a cohesive team and develop and implement a long-term vision and strategy for Information Technology for the FSU Libraries.
• Establish strategies for positive, effective communication with the Technology and Digital Scholarship Division, including routine meetings with department heads, staff meetings as appropriate, and routine communication through other means.
• Engage in problem solving, leading the Technology and Digital Scholarship Division through organizational change, implementation of innovative strategies, and development of enhanced skills and services.
• Work closely and collaboratively with the other Associate Deans and Directors of the Libraries to ensure that the Libraries effectively deploy and protect digital technologies and content needed by current and future users.
• Develop and sustain a collaborative environment in which data and technology decisions are mission-driven, and stakeholders and staff across the organization are adequately and appropriately engaged in decisions and prepared for change and user adoption.
• Develop outward-looking partnerships with faculty, staff, and external organizations at local, national, and/or international levels.
• Partner with student and faculty groups on campus to enhance libraries services and to advance the goals of the university.
• Participate fully as a member of the Senior Leadership Team to plan, allocate resources, and make decisions that align with the Libraries’ strategic plan and the aspiring goals of the University.
• Oversee and monitor the budget for the division, specifically as it pertains to travel, the part-time OPS budget, and operational needs. Participate in budget discussions with the senior leadership team, including preparation of an annual division budget request.
• Engage with the Libraries’ strategic planning process by advancing projects that contribute to the libraries’ goals.
• Lead and participate fully in the diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programming of the libraries, collaborating and infusing these values into all parts of the organization.

  Qualifications: Required:

• Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program or other appropriate advanced degree
• Demonstrated commitment and success in working collaboratively with internal units and external partners
• Demonstrated ability to develop and facilitate effective communication and program implementation
• Demonstrated ability to promote positive organizational culture, including the ability to engage, empower, and motivate people
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility
• Demonstrated successful experience leading a department or significant program in an academic institution related to Digital Library Programs and/or Library Technology Services, or other applicable experience.
• Understanding of the higher education research landscape and the library’s role as an essential component of the research infrastructure
• Holistic understanding of technology needs, opportunities, and challenges in an academic library environment

Preferred:

• Experience with securing and managing grants, philanthropic support, and cost recovery mechanisms.
• Experience with project management
• Supervision of staff and/or librarians responsible for information technology, digital scholarship.
• Evidence of professional service and/or research, with the potential to succeed in an academic promotion process.

Other:

• This position is 12-month specialized faculty, non-tenure earning. Librarian rank will be determined based on candidate’s experience.

How to Apply:   Interested candidates should provide a CV and 2-page cover by email to Jack Farrell (jack@jackfarrell.com). The cover letter should address: 1) why are you interested?; 2) how are you qualified?; and 3) how might the Technology & Digital Scholarship group evolve over the next several years under your stewardship? Applications will be held and reviewed confidentially with an anticipated review date of January 12, 2023.   “An Equal Opportunity/Access/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled & Veteran Employer. FSU's Equal Opportunity Statement can be accessed at:  https://hr.fsu.edu/sites/g/files/upcbnu2186/files/PDF/Publications/diversity/EEO_Statement.pdf.”  To learn more about Florida State University benefits, please visit: https://hr.fsu.edu/total-rewards.  

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