University of Michigan

Associate University Librarian

University of Michigan • $160K — $200K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Graduate degree in computer science, information systems, library science, or related field.
  • Proven leadership of production-oriented technical teams and workflows.
  • Experience in navigating organizational change and fostering collaboration.
  • Strong understanding of academic library technologies and user needs.
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to synthesize stakeholder input.
  • Proficient in prioritizing tasks within complex environments.
  • Demonstrated commitment to mentoring and developing teams.

Responsibilities

  • Develop forward-looking strategies for library's technical services portfolio.
  • Guide technology infrastructure and workflows for resource lifecycle management.
  • Set strategic direction and oversee divisional operations and policies.
  • Collaborate with campus IT leaders and external partners for service development.
  • Drive organizational change through workflow evaluation and innovation.
  • Supervise and mentor department directors and manage workforce development.
  • Use data analysis to inform decision-making and improve services.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Generous paid time off: 24 vacation days and 15 sick days annually.
  • Matched retirement contributions with immediate vesting.
  • Professional development opportunities available.
  • Flexible work arrangements with hybrid or onsite options.
Full Job Description
How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Job Summary

This Associate University Librarian (AUL) provides visionary, strategic, and administrative leadership for shaping and advancing the University of Michigan Library's technical infrastructure, process improvement, and innovation. With an expert team of Directors, the AUL develops and stewards the Library's well-regarded technology and technical services portfolio, which supports the lifecycle, discovery, access, and stewardship of library resources and services, in collaboration with colleagues across the library and university. The AUL champions innovation in workflow, production, and project management processes, and strengthens partner and stakeholder relationships, creating efficiencies that align information technology and technical services investments with the university's academic priorities. The AUL cultivates key collaborative relationships across the university and with consortial partners to leverage the University of Michigan Library's expertise, resources, and knowledge in a wide variety of interdependent networks.

As a senior library administrator, the AUL reports directly to the Dean of Libraries and works in close partnership with other members of the library administration team to lead and advance the organization as a whole. The AUL is responsible for leading strategic planning, enhancing service development and sustainability, and guiding the operations, policy development, budgeting, communications, training, and professional activities of the departments within their division. The AUL supervises 6 department directors and guides the work of more than 80 librarians, professional staff, and student employees.

What You'll Do
  • Develop and implement forward-looking strategies for the library's information technology and technical services portfolio, aligning programs, investments, and emerging technologies with the library's and the university's priorities.
  • Guide the development and management of technology infrastructure and production-oriented technical workflows across the lifecycle of library resources, strengthening discovery, access, accessibility, and long-term stewardship.
  • Set strategic direction, allocate resources, and provide administrative guidance for divisional operations, services, policies, procedures, and major initiatives.
  • Partner with library administration, campus information technology leaders, and external organizations to develop and sustain reliable services, coordinate infrastructure, resolve issues, and advance shared goals.
  • Lead organizational change and continuous improvement by evaluating and reimagining workflows, improving efficiencies, and encouraging innovation, experimentation, and meaningful risk-taking.
  • Oversee, mentor, and develop six department directors; guide workforce planning, recruitment, performance management, professional development, and employee growth across the division.
  • Foster collaborative, user- and partner-centered service delivery across organizational boundaries, including sponsoring cross-library teams and strengthening coordination among library locations and departments.
  • Use assessment, evaluation, and data analysis to inform decisions and continuously improve services, workflows, programs, and resource allocation.
  • Represent the library with university stakeholders, consortial partners, and national organizations, advancing the University of Michigan Library's role in collaborative and interdependent networks.
  • Plan, manage, and monitor a large divisional operating budget with accountability and transparency, identifying opportunities to control costs and increase organizational impact.

Required Qualifications*
  • A graduate degree in computer science, information systems/technology, educational technology, library science, archival or museum studies, or any related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead production-oriented technical teams, workflows, and/or projects, including the ability to envision and communicate high-level strategy for IT and technical services in alignment with Library and University goals.
  • Demonstrated experience leading through organizational change.
  • Collaborative leadership skills with proven success in developing and sustaining deep partnerships with colleagues both internally and externally.
  • Understanding of academic library technologies, services, and user needs.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for diverse audiences and a commitment to transparency, with the ability to actively gather, synthesize, and act on input from a wide variety of stakeholders.
  • Skilled prioritization for a complex work environment, including a track record of effective organization, time management, and follow-through.
  • Commitment to and record of modeling, mentoring, and developing individuals and teams.

Desired Qualifications*
  • Experience navigating, negotiating, and building key relationships in a higher education, academic, non-profit and/or business setting.
  • Experience developing and implementing sustainable annual and long-term budgetary resource management plans.
  • Experience developing, documenting, evaluating, and communicating about technical processes, policies, and procedures.
  • Experience leading the development, implementation, and maintenance of library-specific technologies.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes .

Additional Information

The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package , including health, dental, and vision insurance, generous time off (24 vacation days per year and 15 sick days per year), matched retirement contributions with immediate vesting, professional development opportunities, and more. TIAA and Fidelity Investments' retirement benefits are available.

For questions about this posting or to request accommodations, please contact [email protected] .

This position currently allows a hybrid or fully on-site work environment. Flexible work agreements are reviewed annually and are subject to change depending on the business needs of the hiring department throughout the course of employment. Fully remote work is not applicable to this position. Please see the University of Michigan's Remote Employment Policies and Agreements for more information.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

We expect this posting to be open for the full 30-day posting period.

Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period, and continue until the posting is closed.

Job Detail

Job Opening ID

283608

Working Title

Associate University Librarian

Job Title

Associate University Librarian

Work Location

Ann Arbor Campus

Ann Arbor, MI

Modes of Work

Onsite
Hybrid

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

Univ Library

Department

University Library

Posting Begin/End Date

9/28/2026 - 10/28/2026

Salary

$160,000.00 - $200,000.00

Career Interest

Libraries & Museums

About University of Michigan

The University of Michigan is a public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan system. The University of Michigan was founded in 1817 in Detroit, as the Catholepistemiad, or University of Michigania, 20 years before the territory became a state. The school moved to Ann Arbor in 1837 onto 40 acres (16 ha) of what is now known as Central Campus. Since its establishment in Ann Arbor, the university campus has expanded to include more than 584 major buildings with a combined area of more than 34 million gross square feet (781 acres or 3.16 km²), and has two satellite campuses located in Flint and Dearborn. The University of Michigan is a founding member of the Association of American Universities.
Learn more about University of Michigan
Size
50,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1817

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