The University of Iowa Libraries has exclusively engaged  Jack Farrell & Associates (www.jackfarrell.com) to find the successful candidate for this position. Interested candidates should provide a CV and cover letter by email to Jack Farrell (jack@jackfarrell.com by April 28, 2026, for priority consideration.

See specific application information below.

 

The University of Iowa Libraries seeks a dynamic, strategic, and collaborative Director of Special Collections and Archives (Library Director PLB4/6A classification). Reporting to the Associate University Librarian (AUL) for Distinctive Collections, the director will provide visionary leadership and direction to the programs, services, operations, collections management, and initiatives of the University of Iowa Special Collections and Archives, a department of 21 staff members of librarians and archivists and approximately 20 graduate and undergraduate student employees, with eight direct reports.

The successful candidate will be passionate about special collections and archives and enthusiastic about the unique role these materials play in advancing teaching and learning, research, and creative work. They will be an expert in the knowledge and practice of building archival, manuscript, and rare book research collections in various physical and digital formats, stewarding those collections, and in donor relations. They will develop collaborative and productive relationships with other areas within the Libraries and shape a vision for Special Collections and Archives complementary to those interests.

 

Key Areas of Responsibilities and Job Duties

 

Leadership/Staff and Resource Management/Financial Responsibility

• Provide visionary leadership and direction for a department of 21 staff members of librarians and archivists and approximately 20 graduate and undergraduate student employees, fostering a work environment that embraces team leadership and the University Libraries’ stated values of service, collaboration, integrity, creativity, openness, stewardship, and respect for differences.
• Provide leadership, guidance for, and oversight of multiple repositories including the Iowa Women’s Archives, University Archives, the Iowa Archives of the Avant-garde, and rare books and manuscripts.
• Model leadership and provide mentorship, advocacy, and support to department staff and foster professional growth.
• Identify and advocate for preservation environments and other collections storage needs in close collaboration with Libraries Conservation and Collections Care and Libraries facilities.
• Create and align departmental initiatives with Libraries and university strategic goals, oversee program development and evaluation, and manage resources in support of the Libraries’
• In collaboration with the University Librarian, the AUL for Distinctive Collections, and the Associate Director of Development, cultivate relationships with current and prospective donors and identify departmental engagement opportunities that provide meaningful ways to help donors achieve their desired philanthropic impact.
• Work in partnership with the Associate Director of Development to ensure a coordinated donor-centric approach to tracking and acknowledging gifts-in-kind for Special Collections and
• In consultation with the AUL for Distinctive Collections recommend use and report on use of over 20 advancement funds consistent with donor intent and Libraries fiscal strategies.
• Actively participate in the University Libraries Operations and Management Council (OMC) and the AUL for Distinctive Collections Portfolio Directors Leadership Team.
• Engage in collaborative initiatives with campus partners, including the Stanley Museum of Art; Pentacrest Museums; as well as university colleges and schools or programs and with state and regional partners, including Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa.
• Seek and facilitate new partnerships and opportunities for Libraries engagement with other campus units in alignment with the Libraries’ strategic plan and with the department’s capacity and resources.
• Identify relevant grant prospects and other opportunities for innovative work in special collections and archives.

 

Instruction, Consultation, Outreach, and Research Support

• Provide direction for an established and staffed Special Collections and Archives instruction program that meets the university’s commitment to teaching, learning, and research in partnership with campus faculty by providing students with exceptional educational experiences through the integration of special collections and archives into coursework and providing instruction to teach critical thinking, information literacy, and research skills.
• Provide direction for and guide outreach and exhibition programming to engage with Libraries, campus, and external partners in alignment with Libraries and university priorities.

 

Select, Acquire, Organize, Preserve, and Provide Information Resources and Services

• Determine strategic direction for collection development within Special Collections and Archives and oversee application, with an eye for filling gaps in collecting areas and for project priorities, as well as ensure complementary alignment with collections in Iowa, Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) schools, and other relevant institutions.
• Provide direction and oversight for research and public
• Curate manuscripts and rare books collecting areas outside the scope of other curators’ areas, with responsibility for guiding collection development and collection management, including advising on cataloging and processing prioritization.
• Explore new areas for collection development and opportunities to expand on existing collection strengths and to enhance current campus priorities, especially in ways that support new curricular programs, welcome a wider cross-section of the campus community, while working in close coordination with other staff both inside and outside of the department.
• Informed by Special Collections and Archives staff, serve as chief strategist for the identification of Special Collections and Archives materials to be digitized and made available.
• Sensitively work with gifts-in-kind donors to ensure smooth transfer of
• Ensure that policies and procedures are consistent with professional best practices for academic libraries, special collections, rare books, and archives.
• In conversation with staff, oversee regular assessment of policies and procedures and develop strategies to improve staff work satisfaction while increasing productivity and streamlining

 

Continuous Learning and Skills Development

• Keep abreast of developments in impactful academic library leadership and management as well as special collections and archives standards and trends, applying new rules, interpretations, and techniques as appropriate.
• Grow and maintain leadership skills including skills to support professional development of staff that contribute to their teamwork and collaborative effectiveness as well as to their individual career goals.
• Grow knowledge of cultures, languages, materials, and other ancillary subjects related to

 

Professional Contributions

• Contribute to the profession through service, research, publishing, and/or
• Participate in and contribute to relevant Libraries and university-wide activities and

 

 

Qualifications

Required Education:

• An advanced degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution or international equivalent, or appropriate advanced degree accompanied by a minimum of 8 years of experience in a special collection at an academic research library (or related library) and training in areas such as rare books, archives, manuscripts, and/or special collections librarianship.

 

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of six years of progressively responsible experience working with special collections or archives in a research library.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible staff management and development experience in a research library or similar setting.

 

• Ability to articulate a vision for the value of special collections and archives to learning, teaching, research, and community engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to foster environments of teamwork and
• Deep and broad knowledge of best practices in special collections and archives including collections development and management of analog, digitized, and born-digital materials; ethical purchasing and acceptance of gifts-in-kind; digital preservation; archival description; cataloging; special collections security; as well as copyright and intellectual property issues.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with programs to integrate special collections and archives in research, curricular and co-curricular use, and community engagement.
• Experience working with prospective donors to cultivate gifts of collections and the ability to establish and maintain successful donor relationships.
• Experience building and maintaining effective partnerships and collaborations between the Libraries, academic departments, and university community.
• Excellent oral and written communication
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work successfully in a collaborative environment with a broad range of people including colleagues, administrators, students, faculty, alumni, and donors.
• Demonstrated ability to support a welcoming and respectful environment in a job-related experience, an academic setting, and/or the community.

 

Desired Qualifications:

• Additional advanced professional or academic degree in a relevant subject
• Classwork, certifications, concentrations, or additional degree(s) in special collections, archives, the history of the book, or other relevant disciplines.
• Demonstrated success working collaboratively with Libraries leadership and university advancement staff in fundraising, including individual and corporate gifts.
• Successful track-record developing, writing, and managing
• Demonstrated experience with budgeting and strategic
• Basic understanding of metadata standards and schemas for describing special collections, rare books, and archives.
• Demonstrated understanding of the mission of a research university and the mission and functions of a large research library.

 

How to apply for this position:

The University of Iowa Libraries has exclusively engaged  Jack Farrell & Associates (www.jackfarrell.com) to find the successful candidate for this position. Interested candidates should provide a CV and cover letter by email to Jack Farrell (jack@jackfarrell.com by April 28, 2026, for priority consideration.

 

The cover letter should address the following questions in no more than 2 pages:

1. Why are you interested in this position and why Iowa?
2. Share your path (career and leadership trajectory) that led you to be ready for this role?

 

This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.

For additional questions, please contact Jack Farrell at jack@jackfarrell.com.

The hiring salary range for this position is $75,000 - $120,000.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.

 

 

 

Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success. Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance. Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation.

 

Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.

 

 

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.

 

Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu.  For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543.