Position DetailsPosition Information
Position Title Dean of Libraries
Position Summary The
University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) seeks a dynamic and forward-thinking Dean of
Libraries to lead a multifaceted, mission-driven library system that advances teaching, learning, and scholarship. Reporting to the Provost, the Dean serves as the chief administrative and strategic leader for all library programs, services, and facilities, while also overseeing the
Center for Teaching and Learning. This role is central to aligning library operations with institutional priorities, supporting a diverse academic community, and ensuring responsiveness to the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education and academic libraries.
The Dean is responsible for shaping and executing a collaborative strategic vision that enhances student success, faculty research, and academic innovation. Key areas of leadership include advancing information literacy, particularly in the context of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence; strengthening digital scholarships and open educational initiatives; and expanding access to collections through effective resource management and digitization. The Dean will also play a critical role in accreditation, institutional effectiveness, and assessment efforts while fostering strong partnerships across academic units and external consortia.
The Dean will oversee a $3.8 million budget and 27 staff and will be responsible for guiding resource allocation in a complex, multi-campus environment. The Dean must serve as a visible advocate for UIW Libraries, leveraging data-informed decision-making and cultivating external funding opportunities through grants and philanthropy. Additionally, the role requires expertise in vendor negotiations, licensing, and collaborative partnerships to ensure the sustainability and growth of library services and infrastructure.
UIW seeks a collaborative and inclusive leader with extensive experience in academic libraries, a deep understanding of evolving trends in scholarly communication and higher education, and a commitment to mission-driven service. The ideal candidate will foster a high-performing team culture, strengthen cross-campus engagement, and position the UIW Libraries as a central driver of learning, discovery, and lifelong intellectual growth within a diverse and globally oriented Catholic institution.
Benefits UIW has been identified year after year as one of the nation's
Great Colleges to Work For based on employee feedback. UIW offers an outstanding benefits package for full-time employees that includes medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, numerous paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. Tuition benefits include UIW tuition waivers, tuition exchange programs and
Brainpower Connection discounts for employees and dependents. Retirement benefits include 403b retirement plans with a 7% employer match, plus a retirement health solution. We also offer employer-paid Life/AD&D, long-term disability, pet insurance, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), wellness programs, employee discount program, Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility and more! Please refer to the
Human Resources webpagefor additional details on our benefits and eligibility.
Job Duties
Job Duty Name Leadership
Description of Job Duty - Collaboratively shape and execute the UIW Libraries' strategic vision, master plan, and annual objectives in partnership with University leadership, library staff, and other University stakeholders.
- Develop and implement policies, procedures, and assessments that advance library programs and services focused on student success and faculty support.
- Develop team that can serve as a resource to faculty and students regarding copyright, fair use, and creative commons licensing.
- Provide support to the Director of the Center of Teaching and Learning and ensure faculty development initiatives impact student outcomes.
- Assist the Provost and collaborate with other leaders in Academic Affairs in building understanding and capacity to support open educational objectives such as open pedagogy, open data, open access, and open educational resources access.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Job Duty Name Budget and Personnel Management
Description of Job Duty - Develop and administer library operational, grant, and endowment budgets in alignment with strategic objectives.
- Oversee the Libraries' Collection Development and Access plan using evidence-informed processes for new and renewing resources and in support of established, new, and substantively changed programs, through consultation with all related subject area liaison librarians.
- Submit reports and required data to consortia partners and federal and state agencies.
- Provide guidelines for licensing, agreements, endowment terms, and contract negotiations related to library operations.
- Where appropriate, work with UIW Advancement to identify and obtain external funding in support of library projects, programs, and services.
- Serve as lead in personnel issues and staffing as well as leadership in library staff development as it relates to unit development, strategic planning, and the implementation of AI related work-assisted processes.
- Provide direct supervision of senior library leadership and other direct reports.
Job Duty Name Co-curricular Instruction, Research, and Discovery
Description of Job Duty - Lead the UIW Libraries team in the cultivation of co-curricular partnerships in the development of a robust and scaffolded information literacy program that is reflective of changing needs such as the evolution of meta literacies, including evolving AI Information Literacy standards.
- Collaborate with internal partners to build programs of support for digital scholarship, knowledge dissemination and discovery, and open educational and access initiatives.
- Enhance discovery to unique collections through digitization, data management, and marketing.
Job Duty Name Advocacy and Representation
Description of Job Duty - Represent the University in regional, state, and national consortia and any regulatory agencies focused on academic library concerns.
- Serve on various committees including Academic Administration Leadership Council, Provost's Council, Graduate Curriculum Council, Institutional Effectiveness Council, and provide leadership for the Faculty Library Advisory Council.
Job Duty Name Resources and Facilities
Description of Job Duty - Ensure the libraries are included in Campus Master Planning and meet evolving space needs for the institution.
- Provide leadership with reports and usage data about facilities uses and emerging needs.
- Ensure UIW Libraries online platforms
Job Duty Name Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation
Description of Job Duty - Work collaboratively with the Institutional Effectiveness Council in representing the UIW Libraries in all discipline specific and institutional accreditation requirements.
- Assist with the analysis of annual and five-year academic program reviews related to UIW Libraries services and programs.
- Collaborate with the Provost to develop the Libraries' Academic Master Plan in alignment with the strategic goals of the University and the strategic priorities within Academic Affairs.
Qualifications
Knowledge Skills and Abilities - Understanding of the challenges facing higher education libraries and the intellectual ability to envision opportunities for innovation in academic/research libraries.
- Awareness and ability to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Thorough knowledge of the changing scholarly communication model and the ability to implement policies and practices that benefit academic/research library users.
- Thorough understanding of copyright and fair use as well as open licensing.
- Understanding of how to effectively utilize space to meet the evolving needs of students and faculty.
- Ability to provide leadership as the University navigates the impacts of artificial intelligence.
- Ability to develop a high-functioning, collaborative environment for a multifaceted organization.
- Deep commitment to supporting the professional development and success of library staff.
- Commitment and record of creating a welcoming and inclusive work environment.
- Ability to effectively engage donors and identify grant opportunities that will provide additional resources to further the goals of the Libraries and the University.
- Commitment and record of commitment to enhancing student engagement and success while ensuring access and affordability of information, including a keen understanding of undergraduate and graduate experiences and how libraries support these learners.
- Commitment to building partnerships across a complex university, with other institutions and consortia, and within the broader San Antonio community.
- Excellent active listening, spoken, and written communication skills.
- Passion for the value and opportunities inherent in contemporary Catholic higher education, along with an unwavering commitment to the University's mission and values.
- Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures.
- Employee shall adhere to all applicable rules and regulations of the University, the Conference, and the NCAA.
Required Education A graduate degree is required. A Master's of Library / Information Science from an ALA Accredited Program is preferred.
Required Work Experience Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in academic or research libraries, including at least 6 years in administrative leadership roles. Demonstrated experience overseeing library budgets, operations, facilities, and other key functional areas; contributing to institutional accreditation processes; negotiating agreements for library resources, systems, and services; supporting strategic planning initiatives; and advancing library programs, services, collections, and digital research platforms.
Preferred Qualifications None specified.
Required Certifications, Licenses or Registrations None specified.
Work Hours Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm with extended hours as needed to meet departmental goals.
Physical Demands - Ability to regularly move about multiple Library locations, campus and event venues to actively engage faculty/staff/donors/guests /potential/current students, as well as attend meetings on and off campus as appropriate.
- Ability to actively engage in Library and other events for extended periods of time.
