University of Tennessee Libraries has exclusively retained Jack Farrell & Associates (www.jackfarrell.com) to find the next Associate Dean for Research, Collections and Assessment. Interested candidates should provide a CV and 2-page cover letter above qualifications by email to Jack Farrell (jack@jackfarrell.com). The cover letter should address the following: 1) why am I interested?, 2) how am I qualified?, and 3) what is my vision for the Research, Collections and Assessment unit? Thank you. 

Description

The University of Tennessee Libraries is seeking a transformational and collaborative leader to serve as the Associate Dean for Research, Collections, and Assessment.

The Associate Dean reports to the Dean of Libraries and is a member of the Dean’s senior leadership team as well as of the overall leadership of the University Libraries.

The Associate Dean will lead and shape library programs and services to align with the research, learning, and service missions of the University of Tennessee, a research-intensive, land-grant, flagship university on the rise.

The ideal candidate will prioritize cultivating partnerships and fostering continuous improvement in pursuit of excellence. Success at the University of Tennessee Libraries hinges on strong partnerships both within the Libraries and across campus. These efforts are guided by our Strategic Vision values: community, inclusivity, leadership, service, innovation, and sustainability.

The Associate Dean will be instrumental in developing and implementing strategic plans that align with university priorities. They should possess domain-specific knowledge and be an organizational thought leader in their areas of responsibility while maintaining an up-to-date understanding of current trends and issues in research libraries.

The Associate Dean oversees approximately 55 full-time employees across several key departments, including Acquisitions & Continuing Resources, Assessment Programs & Collection Strategy, Collection Management & Sharing, Cataloging, Special Collections, Research Impact & Open Access, as well as operations within the Library Storage Annex (under development). The successful candidate will foster the growth and development of colleagues within a highly collaborative environment. The position is located in Knoxville, TN and relocation assistance is available.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting directly to the Dean of Libraries and collaborating closely with the senior leadership team, the Associate Dean is involved in library-wide planning, budgeting, operations, communications, and policymaking. When necessary, the Associate Dean may represent the Dean at meetings and events, dependent on their portfolio, seniority, and availability.

Provides strategic and innovative direction to support and sustain faculty research, student learning, and the university’s service missions in areas of responsibility. Develops and maintains a broad network of partners on campus to advocate for and advance library programs and initiatives and to contribute to the wider work of the campus.

Serves as a representative of the Libraries in areas of responsibility and maintains a profile as a campus citizen, working in coordination with the Dean and others to contribute to the greater good of the university.

Serves as mentor and coach to faculty and staff in areas of responsibility and maintains a strong commitment to developing the careers and skills of direct reports, faculty and staff in areas of responsibility, and elsewhere as necessary.

Serves as a resource for and ensures compliance with best practices and national standards. Maintains and shares expertise in policy areas relevant to their portfolio and works strategically with the Dean and others to position the library and the organization for success in the broader research, learning, and service missions of the Libraries.

Works with UT System partners to build beneficial partnerships and alliances around collections and in other areas of responsibilities.

Maintains an active professional profile across the state, nationally, and globally. The Associate Dean represents the libraries by serving on and presenting to select national, regional, state, and campus committees and working groups, and advocates for the needs and perspectives of the libraries to external stakeholders.

Serves as the libraries’ representative on important campus committees, such as the Graduate Associate Deans.

The Associate Dean represents the Libraries to the Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development and supports faculty research efforts for the Libraries.

Leadership team members serve at the pleasure of the Dean and embrace a vision of service that places the needs of the organization and the university above personal interests, reporting lines, and supervisory and/or organizational assignments, which may change as the needs of the organization evolve in support of library and campus priorities.

ENVIRONMENT

The University of Tennessee Libraries are an integral part of the flagship campus of Tennessee’s premier public research university. The University of Tennessee holds the Carnegie Foundation Research 1 designation, granted to doctoral universities with very high research activity.  As a land-grant university and as Volunteers, serving our state and nation is key to our mission. UT enrolls approximately 38,728 students at its Knoxville campus. For more information about the people who comprise the UTK community, view resources on our Data Central website. The University culture is guided by adherence to core values that define the Volunteer spirit and include seeking knowledge, leading with innovation and integrity, engaging locally and globally, and embracing responsible stewardship of resources.

The UT Libraries supports the teaching, research, and service mission of the university and enhances the academic experience of each student at the Knoxville campus through outstanding print and electronic collections, reference and instructional services, and top-notch facilities and technological resources. The John C. Hodges Library in the heart of campus houses the majority of the UT Libraries’ collections and many distinctive services. Two branch libraries offer specialized collections and services: the Webster C. Pendergrass Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine Library and the George F. DeVine Music Library.

The UT Libraries is a national leader in digital collections; in support of open access though our digital repository, TRACE; and through a rich history of designing innovative spaces and building key partnerships that enhance the teaching/learning enterprise. The UT Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries, the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries, HathiTrust, the Library Publishing Coalition, Lyrasis, and the Center for Research Libraries. The UT Libraries collaborates actively at the state level with the other University of Tennessee System libraries as well as the libraries in the Tennessee Board of Regents system.

We believe that engaging with individuals from all backgrounds and perspectives fosters a vibrant learning environment that enhances critical thinking and intellectual growth.  Our collective strengths make us stronger, and we are committed to promoting an atmosphere where all members of the University community feel welcome, can thrive, and can achieve success.

BENEFITS

Salary of up to $160,000 based on experience and hiring manager’s discretion. Faculty rank and status; open rank and open track search.

Excellent benefits include 24 annual leave days; choice of state retirement plan (TCRS) or the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) (VOYA, TIAA) with nonrefundable contributions paid for the employee by the University; optional group health and life insurance plans. Tuition remission is available for all university employees and partial undergraduate tuition remission is available to dependent children and spouses of UT employees. Start-up funding in the amount of $10,000 allocated over a three-year period; annual support for travel & professional development.

The Provost’s Faculty Recruitment and Hiring page has information on academic support, personal support, and living in Knoxville.

Qualifications

Required

• ALA-accredited master’s degree or advanced degree in relevant field at the time of appointment
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible administrative/leadership experience in an academic or research library, including supervision and responsibility for program innovation and management
• Demonstrated ability to meet the standards required for a tenure track or non-tenure track library faculty appointment

o   Criteria for Tenure Track Appointments

o   Criteria for Non-Tenure Track Appointments

• Proven ability to advance organizational priorities by leading, developing, recruiting, and retaining individuals of all backgrounds and perspectives
• Strong understanding of current issues and emerging trends in research libraries and higher education
• Highly adaptable, flexible, and responsive to change
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders
• Success in and evidence of commitment to partnerships and collaboration internal and external to the library and the campus

Preferred

 

• Demonstrated commitment to transformational leadership with a proven track record of driving change
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of departmental functions within the leadership portfolio
• Proven leadership experience with a history of successful initiatives implemented at academic or research libraries
• An additional advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) is desirable

Application Instructions

A background check and official transcripts are required prior to hiring. The University of Tennessee Libraries has exclusively retained Jack Farrell & Associates (www.jackfarrell.com) to find its next Associate Dean for Research, Collections and Assessment. Interested candidates should provide a CV and 2-page cover letter above qualifications by email to Jack Farrell (jack@jackfarrell.com). The cover letter should address the following: 1) why am I interested?, 2) how am I qualified?, and 3) what is my vision for the Research, Collections and Assessment unit?  Review of applicants will begin June 10, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled.

Application Process

This institution is using Interfolio's Faculty Search to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge.

 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university. Requests for accommodations of a disability should be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-3560 or eoa@utk.edu or (865)974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Investigation & Resolution 216 Business Incubator Building 2450 EJ. Chapman Drive Knoxville, Tennessee 37996 or (865)974-0717 or investigations@utk.edu.