Associate Director of Collections Management, The Auraria Library
University of Colorado Denver
Denver, CO - United States
The University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver), the only comprehensive urban research institution in Colorado, seeks an experienced, collaborative, and innovative leader to serve as its next Associate Director of Collection Management and Discovery, The Auraria Library.
Located in downtown Denver, Colorado, the Auraria Campus is a dynamic, 150-acre academic environment shared by three separate and distinct institutions of higher learning: Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and University of Colorado Denver. The Auraria library serves the campus’ vibrant community of nearly 38,000 students, the majority of whom are from the first generation in their family to enroll in higher education. It is an indispensable partner in the educational experience of the entire campus community. Many of its students are Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color, and they also serve large populations of veterans, transfer students, adult learners, and other populations that have been historically underserved. In its 2023 rankings, US News & World Report has recognized CU Denver as #1 for mobility in Colorado for the second year running and consistently ranks it as one of the nation’s best schools.
This is a senior-level, full-time, non-tenure instructor library faculty position reporting to the Auraria Library Director and eligible to work on a hybrid schedule. The new Associate Director will be a key member of the library senior leadership team responsible for developing the evolving vision and direction of the functions and services specifically related to the Collection Management and Discovery Division, which is comprised of approximately twenty professional staff with three direct reports. The Associate Director’s divisional portfolio includes three important departments: Collection Development and Strategies, Discovery Systems and Metadata, and Special and Digital Collections. The Associate Director also provides inclusive leadership through decision-making for library-wide planning, personnel decisions, budget allocation, resource management, organizational effectiveness, and program and policy development as part of the Library Cabinet and in collaboration with the Department Heads group.
The successful candidate will be an organized and skillful collaborator committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within a library setting and will be knowledgeable of trends and issues in higher education and academic libraries, particularly related to library services, tools, and programming. A graduate degree in library information sciences, or related, from an ALA-accredited institution is required as is previous experience (at least five years) with managing professional staff. Candidates are also expected to have at least three years of experience managing library activities such as strategic planning, budgeting, workforce development, organizational development, and/or partnership building. Finally, candidates should have expertise in one or more of the following areas: collection development and strategies, discovery systems and metadata, or special and digital collections.
The Auraria Library, housed in a modern building designed by internationally recognized architect Helmut Jahn and remodeled in 2017, houses study and group meeting rooms, media spaces, and a coffee shop. There is also a Digital Media Studio for photo, video, and audio production and an Innovation Garage with 3D printing, large-format printing, and creative technology software and support. As of 2023, The Auraria Library’s collections include approximately 495,000 print books, 1.6 million eBooks, 200,000 online journals, 114,000 streaming videos, and over 300 databases. The Library is also home to Special and Digital Collections, which encompasses collections of historic importance, including rare books, and archival materials.
Denver, Colorado, one of America’s most vibrant and fastest growing cities, is a magnet for young professionals and new businesses. With 300 days of sunshine annually, diverse cultural attractions, a progressive mindset, and proximity to some of the most sought-after outdoor recreation in the country, Denver is one of the top cities on many national “Best Places to Live” lists (U.S. News and World Report, Business Insider).
Inquiries and nominations may be directed to WittKieffer consultants Ashley Buderus and Jessica Cummings at: Jcummings@WittKieffer.com. Candidates should provide, as two separate documents: a CV/resume and a letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described in the Leadership Profile. Application materials should be submitted using the buttons below. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will continue until the position is filled.
Compensation and Benefit Information
Compensation range: $95,000-$100,000 for base salary with an additional annual administrative stipend of 10% of the base salary. This salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. While the Auraria Library serves CU Denver, MSU, and CCD equally, its faculty and staff are University of Colorado, Denver employees.
Benefits: The University of Colorado offers a full benefits package that includes generous leave, health plans, retirement contributions, and employee/family tuition assistance. Information on university benefits programs, including eligibility, is available at https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits.
The University of Colorado Denver values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by law.
Auraria Library faculty and staff strive to create a welcoming environment that fosters equity, diversity, and inclusion and nurtures creativity and learning. They are deeply committed to ensuring equitable access to knowledge and information from diverse perspectives for everyone as they build a shared vision that challenges existing notions of the library and sparks discovery and curiosity about the world around them.