Salary Range: Salary range begins at $115,000.
About the Position: This role is an on-campus, in-person position.
SMU Libraries invites applications for the Director of the Duda Family Business Library, the premier research library for SMU's Cox School of Business. This is a highly visible leadership role for a service-minded, relationship-driven, forward-thinking administrator who thrives in close partnership with academic leadership.
Reporting to the Associate Dean for Academic Initiatives and working closely with SMU Cox leadership, the Director provides strategic direction through effective management of the staff of business librarians, a library specialist, and student employees to provide library and research services that strengthen teaching excellence, accelerate faculty scholarship, and support student success across academic and executive programs.
At a private, highly engaged institution, the Director is deeply embedded in the academic life of the business school, serving as a trusted advisor to faculty, administrators, and students and translating school priorities into high-impact research, data, and instructional support.
This position offers the opportunity to shape a distinctive business library program with direct connection to decision-makers and measurable influence on teaching, research, and student outcomes.
In contrast to large public research libraries, this role is distinguished by:
- High-touch faculty engagement and consultation
- Strategic selectivity in collections and data investments to maximize value and impact
- Direct alignment with school priorities, reputation, and outcomes
- Visibility, agility, and responsiveness to academic leadership
SMU is a nationally ranked private research university in Dallas, TX, with eight degree-granting schools. SMU Libraries includes six libraries on the main campus and one library at our satellite location in Taos, NM.
The Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University (SMU Cox) is committed to influencing the way the world conducts business via prolific research that provokes innovation, change and global thought leadership. SMU Cox is consistently ranked among the world's leading business schools.
SMU Libraries and the SMU campus are dedicated to diversity and inclusion. We seek to hire a person who shares our values in a diverse and equitable workplace based on teamwork with a proactive and positive approach in all that we do.
Essential Functions: - Provide vision and leadership for the Duda Family Business Library aligned with SMU Libraries and the Cox School of Business strategic priorities in teaching, research, and executive education. Serve as primary liaison between the Cox School of Business and the SMU Libraries dean.
- Develop strategies, budgets, hiring plans, programs, and services aligned with SMU Libraries and Cox School of Business strategic directions.
- Lead, mentor, and evaluate a team of business librarians and library specialists. Foster a culture of collaboration, service excellence, and continuous improvement.
- Foster relationships with Cox leadership, faculty, and curricular units.
- Ensure responsive services and resources targeted to research and curricular needs of faculty and students. Monitor trends in business librarianship to respond to new technologies. Communicate new business initiatives to the libraries' dean.
- Collaborate with faculty to integrate business research, data literacy, AI literacy, and information fluency into the undergraduate, MBA, professional and executive curricula. Support experiential and applied learning initiatives. Monitor new degree programs and curricular changes to align instructional support and information resources.
- Deliver research and data services to support faculty and graduate research. Partner with faculty on data discovery, licensed resource use, and responsible research practices. Collaborate with the Associate Dean for Research and Digital Strategy to support faculty research.
- Lead strategic selection, licensing, and assessment of business information resources. Manage vendor relationships and coordinate contract negotiation through payment of invoices to ensure timely access and cost-efficient use of funds. Balance access to high-cost proprietary resources with sustainable, mission-aligned investment strategies.
- Build partnerships with campus units, such as career services, the entrepreneurship ecosystem, and the Center for Teaching Excellence and other research centers. Contribute as appropriate to Cox initiatives, donor relations, advisory boards, and community initiatives. Communicate the value of business library services and expertise through assessment and outreach.
- Participate in professional organizations and contribute expertise through presentations, publications, and other professional venues.
Education and Experience: Required Qualifications:- A master's degree in Library or Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution or equivalent.
- 7 or more years of progressively responsible experience in academic or research libraries with substantial experience supporting business disciplines.
- 5 or more years of supervisory experience leading or managing library, research, or information services in an academic, corporate, or professional setting.
- Strong communication skills.
- Knowledge of business information resources and data tools.
- Record of professional contributions commensurate with role.
Preferred Qualifications:- Business library experience
- Experience providing instructional and research services including knowledge of business information resources and data tools.
- Experience in library operations such as budgeting, hiring, and strategic planning.
- Demonstrated ability to translate strategic vision into actionable plans and lead teams through successful implementation.
- Experience collaborating with faculty or other academic partners in designing library services.
- Knowledge of trends in business research including application of emerging technologies.
- Advanced degree in business or related field.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.
Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.
Physical and Environmental Demands: - Sit for long periods of time
Deadline to Apply: Open until filled. Applications submitted by August 16th, 2026 will receive priority consideration.
To be considered for this position, applicants are required to submit:
A resume or CVA cover letter that addresses the education and experience required and preferred for this position Benefits: SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefit s. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.
SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.
The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities , including tuition benefits .
