Organization: University of Florida
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Closing Date: Position is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as received. 

Opportunity Description

The George A. Smathers Libraries seek an innovative and collaborative candidate to apply for its Associate Dean for Research and Health Sciences (Associate Dean) position. This year-round (12-month) tenure-track position provides vision and leadership for research services across the larger UF community, as well as strategic support of the multi-faceted mission of UF’s Health Science Center.

The Associate Dean works collaboratively with the Dean of the Smathers Libraries and its senior management team to collectively provide strategic leadership and management. Our goal is to identify a collegial and experienced leader whose enthusiasm for research and health sciences libraries will position them to develop key relationships; advocate for the role of the Smathers Libraries in supporting health sciences and campus-wide research; and build and grow highly effective, inclusive, and culturally rich innovative teams. We actively support intellectual freedom, freedom of speech and the open exchange of ideas and opinions that support the community building, learning and research efforts of the University of Florida

Responsibilities include:

• Provide visionary leadership and strategic management to support the education, research, clinical, and community engagement missions of the University of Florida Health Science Center; and lead library strategy in fostering innovative collaborative priorities to support research and provide cross disciplinary research services in partnership with the ARCS senior director and team members and other relevant campus entities, including Research Computing and the Clinical & Translational Science Institute.
• Participate in the administration of the Smathers Libraries to support discovery, engagement, and the use of knowledge for the entire University community, including the collaborative allocation of a combined $12.3 million materials budget.
• Actively contribute to the senior management team of the Smathers Libraries for operational and long term strategic direction and effectiveness.
• Identify gaps in library research support services and establish strategies to fill or overcome gaps through ongoing assessment, active participation in the research enterprise, and developing appropriate organizational structures and functions.
• Define and deliver health sciences library services that are responsive to current and future needs of students, faculty and other library users; and manage library facilities in Gainesville and Jacksonville.
• Actively seek opportunities and implement plans for community engagement with the broader Gainesville, Jacksonville, and Florida communities and health care consumers.
• Supervise the Senior Director of ARCS, the Chair of the HSC Library (Gainesville), the Borland Library Program Director, and indirectly supervise other faculty and staff on the Gainesville and Jacksonville campuses.
• Guide the tenure and promotion process for HSCL faculty, including mentoring and career development.
• Seek out and work with individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientation, and perspectives, to support campus-wide initiatives and the Libraries’ Strategic Directions, including a commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility and awareness.
• Actively engages in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, supports diverse communities, and creates a welcoming environment for all
• Empower staff and faculty to be creative problem-solvers and innovators, make decisions, and participate in the governance and management of the libraries through deep involvement in teams, committees, and work groups.
• Direct content management for the HSCL and acquisition of library materials to meet the needs of the students, faculty, staff and clinicians of the HSC.
• Stay abreast of trends, technologies, and policies impacting the research enterprise and researchers nationally, internationally, and locally.
• Represent the HSCL in the state, region and nation, including participation in state-wide committees of academic library consortia and health and medical science library consortia, in addition to service on or leadership of a variety of campus-wide and library-wide committees and task forces.
• Engage in research and contribute through service at the institutional and professional levels suitable to the assignment and rank.

Qualifications

Research indicates that applicants from underrepresented groups are hesitant to apply for positions if they do not meet all the required and preferred qualifications.1 We want to emphasize that the preferred qualifications are not required and that we are committed to helping our future colleague develop these preferred skills. Additionally, applicants are encouraged to communicate the ways in which their work fulfills the required qualifications in ways that may not be obvious.

Required:

• Master’s degree in library science from an ALA accredited graduate program in library or information science, or other relevant advanced degree.
• At least five years of effective, relevant and progressive administrative responsibility in a research library or other information organization, including management of personnel and financial resources.
• Experience with health sciences libraries, the needs of health sciences colleges and professional programs, and with health sciences research.
• Demonstrated experience providing research services or support through libraries.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current trends and needs of researchers and the research enterprise.
• Proven leadership within a relevant organization and in related collaborative activities in support of that organization.
• Demonstrated initiative and flexibility, as well as the ability to adapt to and work creatively in a rapidly changing environment.
• Awareness of the challenges of and opportunities for inclusion, diversity, equity, and access as they relate to health sciences librarianship and research support services.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Interest in and ability to contribute to the profession via research and service.
• Record of including individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, races, ethnicities, gender, sexual orientation, and perspectives in research, teaching, service and other work.
• For appointment at Associate University Librarian or University Librarian ranks, strong potential for meeting the requirements of tenure and promotion as outlined in the HSCL By-Laws.

Preferred:

• Membership in the Academy of Health Information Professionals at the Senior or Distinguished level.
• Undergraduate or advanced degree in a field related to life or health sciences.
• Experience in securing donor and grant funding.

How to Apply

Apply Today!

To apply, submit

• a cover letter detailing your interest in and qualifications for this position
• a written statement regarding “The role of libraries in advancing inclusion, diversity, equity and access as they relate to health science and research and this position’s contribution to achieving this” (no more than one page)
• your current resume or CV
• three to five references including their contact information (telephone number and email address)

This position is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as received. Submit all application materials through the Jobs at UF online application system at Job Number 520016. Failure to submit the required documents may result in the application not being considered. If you have any questions or concerns about this process please contact Tina Litchfield, George A. Smathers Libraries Human Resources Office.