Director of Research, Teaching and User Services

Another Source’s client, The Claremont Colleges Library (TCCL) is recruiting a Director of Research, Teaching and User Services to join their team in the heart of Southern California. This is a great opportunity to bring vision, passion, analytical and evaluation skills, and a strong commitment to research for the development of new partnerships for academic libraries in higher education.

Here’s a little about the Claremont Colleges and the position they are recruiting for:

Established in 1925, The Claremont Colleges Services (TCCS) is the shared services organization for a highly regarded consortium of seven independent colleges known as The Claremont Colleges located in Southern California. Today, TCCS is a nationally recognized educational model for academic support, student support and institutional support services to meet the needs of students, faculty and staff, and is a member of the Association for Collaborative Leadership (ACL).

The Claremont Colleges Library partners with faculty, students, and staff to provide content and services in support of all forms of intellectual engagement and inquiry across The Claremont Colleges consortium. We are focused on creating a dynamic, equitable and welcoming presence for our users, honoring the diverse voices–and varied lived experiences–of our community and constituencies. We have a strong regional and national presence as a member institution of the Oberlin Group of Libraries, the Greater Western Library Alliance, the Center for Research Libraries, the HathiTrust and SCELC.

• Learn more about the Claremont Colleges Services Library here: https://library.claremont.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://library.claremont.edu/

The anticipated yearly salary range for this position is: $105,000- 120,000. Relocation support available.

About the Role

The Director of Research, Teaching & User Services (RTUS) is a key strategic leader within The Claremont Colleges Library, shaping the vision and direction of how the Library supports teaching, learning, and research across a unique academic consortium of seven distinguished institutions. This role offers an opportunity to influence the academic experience of a diverse community of undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff through innovative services, learner-centered research support, and strong campus partnerships.

As the leader of three essential public-facing units, Research Services, Information Literacy & Student Engagement, and User Services, you will guide teams responsible for instruction, research consultation, scholarly communication initiatives, user experience, course readings, building and access services, and general collection circulation. Your work will directly impact how students and faculty engage with information, integrate primary sources and digital scholarship into their work, and navigate an evolving landscape of scholarly communication, technology, and AI.

In partnership with the Dean and the Library Leadership Team, you will help shape and implement the Library’s strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and emerging academic trends. This position is ideal for a collaborative, future-focused leader who excels at building relationships, strengthening service models, and guiding teams through change. The Director will play a pivotal role in fostering innovation, improving operational effectiveness, and ensuring that the Library continues to serve as a vital intellectual and cultural hub for The Claremont Colleges.

What you can expect to be doing:

65% of Time: Divisional Leadership

• Identify and report on emerging trends in information literacy, assessment, research support, collection development, scholarly communication and copyright, artificial intelligence (AI) in libraries, access service design, and student success initiatives.
• Maintain the visibility and impact of the Library’s research and teaching services through close collaboration with unit heads, faculty, and departmental constituencies across the undergraduate colleges.
• Implement best practices in scholarly communications outreach and develop public guides and instructional information that support Open Educational Resources (OERs).
• Develop a learner-centered research support model for all in-person service points in coordination with the Library Leadership Team (LLT).
• Build stronger synergies between User Services, Research Services, and Information Literacy/Student Engagement—particularly around orientations, outreach, and course readings.
• Collaborate with Distinctive Collections & Digital Scholarship (DCDS) to enhance public services and promote the sharing and integration of scholarly output, primary sources, digital scholarship, and data science methods.
• Partner with the Collections, Metadata & Resource Sharing (CMRS) division on Materials Budget allocation, strategic collection assessment, and collection maintenance projects.
• Represent the Library in professional associations, maintain currency with emerging standards and best practices, and foster a culture of professional growth across the division.

35% of Time: Organizational Leadership

• Represent the RTUS division on the Library Leadership Team and contribute to library-wide strategic planning and implementation.
• Advance a culture of assessment, planning, experimentation, and data-informed decision-making across divisions.
• Engage in high-level outreach to stakeholders across The Claremont Colleges to deepen shared understanding of evolving academic and research needs.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support institutional goals.

What we would like to see from you:

• ALA-accredited MLS/MLIS or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum four years of experience in an academic or research library with progressively increasing responsibility.
• Minimum three years of supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and leadership to support organizational priorities.
• Experience conducting outreach to faculty or academic program leaders.
• Teaching and instruction experience in an academic or research library setting.
• Proactive and adaptable leadership; ability to navigate evolving priorities.
• Deep understanding of the academic library’s role in teaching, learning, and research.
• Knowledge of trends in information literacy, research services, scholarly communication, AI applications in libraries, copyright education, collection development, and access services.
• Understanding of how digital literacy and scholarly communication expand upon information literacy concepts and practices.
• Experience designing and assessing library services for diverse users.
• Ability to collaborate effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Exceptional emotional intelligence, diplomacy, and communication skills.
• Creative problem-solving and analytical skills with a commitment to service excellence.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success.
• Commitment to the profession through national service, presentations, or professional engagement.
• Dedication to ongoing professional and leadership development.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with academic consortia.
• Managerial experience within a collective bargaining environment.
• Certification or training in copyright or Open Education librarianship.

What’s in it for you:

The Claremont Colleges offers a comprehensive benefits package for fulltime staff. Learn more about the benefits here: https://services.claremont.edu/benefits-administration/benefit-plan-information/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://services.claremont.edu/benefits-administration/benefit-plan-information/

Notices

Disclaimer: This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. When duties and responsibilities change, The Claremont Colleges Services (TCCS) will review this job description and make changes of business necessity. TCCS reserves the right to modify job duties or assign additional duties as needed.

ADA & OSHA: This job description defines the essential job duties of this position. TCCS expects that employees hired for this position can perform the essential functions of this job without imposing risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others. It may also include marginal functions, generally defined within Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination:

TCCS makes employment decisions on the basis of merit, with the aim of having the best available person in every job. TCCS prohibits discrimination based on all characteristics protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance or regulation. TCCS also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of these characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of these characteristics.

Another Source works with their clients on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us.