Director of Collections Strategy and Discovery

Posting Information

Posting Information

Department Lib-Administration-553010 Career Area Libraries Posting Open Date 09/16/2026 Application Deadline 10/07/2026 Open Until Filled No Position Type Permanent Staff (EHRA NF) Working Title Director of Collections Strategy and Discovery Appointment Type EHRA Non-Faculty Instructional Position Number 20078503 Vacancy ID NF0010045 Full Time/Part Time Full-Time Permanent FTE 1 Hours per week 40 Position Location North Carolina, US Hiring Range Proposed Start Date 12/01/2026

Position Information

Be a Tar Heel!

Working at the University Library puts you at the very heart of the nation's oldest state university. With an enduring commitment to the people of North Carolina, UNC-Chapel Hill is the number 4 ranked public university in the country and the 10th-ranked university for federal research funding.

UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

At the University Library, you are part of a welcoming, open library community that advances research, teaching, healing and creativity on campus and far beyond. Here, we strive to create an environment of respect and collaboration, where vision and innovation can flourish.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The University Libraries aspires to set the standard for public university research libraries in the digital age.

As one of the premier libraries in the South, we are an essential partner in the research, education, clinical care, and public service missions of UNC-Chapel Hill. The library system includes 10 on-campus Libraries, with nearly 10 million volumes, rich archival collections, and a growing investment in digital collections.

The University Libraries serves campus and broader communities that reflect the socioeconomic, ethnic, and religious diversity of the state of North Carolina, and we maintain a welcoming, inclusive, and open educational and workplace climate for all. We strive to create an environment of respect and collaboration where vision and innovation can flourish. Learn more about our Strategic Framework - including our pillars, values, and priorities by visiting https://library.unc.edu/about/strategic-framework/'.

Position Summary

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

Reporting to the Associate University Librarian for Collections Strategies and Services, the Director of Collections Strategy and Discovery provides vision, direction, and leadership for the Library's general collections from selection to discovery and the infrastructure that supports it. The Director leads two established departments - Resource Acquisitions and Management (RAM) and Resource Description and Management (RDM) - with 26 FTE and will be charged with creating a third department focused on collection analysis and strategy. The Director is part of a deeply engaged team of library professionals committed to the responsible management of resources through thoughtful decision-making, licensing, description and access, and in support of a world-class research library.

Collection development and management

The Director uses data-informed assessment to shape the Library's collection development and management strategies, help manage the multi-million-dollar materials budget, support complex vendor agreement negotiations, and respond to emerging trends in scholarly publishing, open access and accessibility.

Access and discovery

Working collaboratively with Library and Information Technology (Infrastructure Management Services, User Experiences and Repository Services), the Director ensures that the technical workflows of acquisition, licensing, and metadata creation are optimized to provide seamless, user-centered discovery, and accessibility of library resources. Additionally, the Director works closely with User Experience to license and describe content that is fully accessible.

Collection analysis

The Director will form and lead a new unit focused on collections analysis, assessment, and planning. This unit will support evidence-based decision-making by developing and applying metrics, dashboards, and reporting tools to evaluate collections use, cost effectiveness, overlap, gaps, and alignment with institutional priorities. The unit will also monitor trends in scholarly communication, licensing models, and user needs to inform strategic planning and guide future collections investments.

Responsibilities include:

Lead the holistic development, implementation, and continuous evaluation of the Library's collection strategies across formats.

Manage implementation of innovative and creative approaches to discovery and content management in keeping with emerging trends in collection development, purchasing, licensing, open access, and metadata standards.

Overall management of functions and employees in units responsible for purchasing and licensing, collections' analysis, and metadata, including oversight of hiring, mentoring and professional growth of librarian and professional staff.

Seek out and foster relationships with library vendors and partners.

Coordinate the creation of standards for the collection and analysis of usage data across formats

Serve on relevant library committees such as the Collections Steering Committee and the Cataloging and Metadata Policy Working Group.

Collaborate with colleagues on the Collections Strategies and Services Leadership Team to lead the Collections Strategies and Services division.

Build strong collaborative relationships with stakeholders across the Library.

Build strong collaborative relationships with partners and stakeholders on the Chapel Hill campus, the UNC System, and the Triangle Research Libraries Network.

Represent the University Library and actively participate in emerging conversations and projects related to acquisitions and resource descriptions in regional national and international consortia and professional associations.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Relevant post-baccalaureate degree: relevant undergraduate degree with 5 -7 years of related professional experience may be substituted for the advanced degree.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

ALA-accredited master's degree in library or information science and/or an advanced degree in a related discipline.

Minimum of 5 years progressively responsible leadership experience in an academic or research library, with responsibilities in collection strategies, purchasing, licensing or description.

Broad knowledge of acquisitions and cataloging procedures and principles, including an understanding of the e-resource lifecycle, current issues in licensing and discovery, purchasing models, emerging metadata standards and bibliographic utilities.

Strong understanding of current developments in scholarly publishing, open access models, and the lifecycle of electronic resources

Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including the ability to foster productive communication among team members and lead, motivate, and manage staff through organizational change.

Demonstrated commitment to professional growth and development.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Minimum of 3 years demonstrated experience supervising or managing a large or complex team

Ability to holistically approach workflows, analyze connections and iterate processes

Familiarity with integrated library systems.

Experience using data visualization or advanced assessment tools (e.g., Tableau, PowerBI, advanced Excel).

Demonstrated experience in regional, national, or global standards development and adoption.

Experience creating welcoming and inclusive work environments.

Special Physical/Mental Requirements Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Special Instructions

For a more detailed vacancy announcement, please visit:

https://library.unc.edu/hr/employment/

A minimum of three references are required upon application submission.

Quick Link https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/325523

Posting Contact Information

Department Contact Name and Title Freda McClain Department Contact Telephone or Email freda_mcclain@unc.edu Office of Human Resources Contact Information

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (919) 843-2300 or send an email to employment@unc.edu

Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae / Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of References

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • Please select the response below that describes your level of education that best or mostly closely satisfies the education requirements for this position.

• Bachelor's degree in required discipline(s) listed or related field

• Bachelor's degree in any field/discipline

• Master's degree or Doctorate degree in required discipline(s) listed or related field

• Master's degree or Doctorate degree in any field/discipline

• None of the above

• • Do you have an ALA-accredited master's degree in library or information science and/or an advanced degree in a related discipline?

• Yes

• No

• • Do you have a minimum of 5 years progressively responsible leadership experience in an academic or research library, with responsibilities in collection strategies, purchasing, licensing or description?

• Yes

• No

• • Do you have a broad knowledge of acquisitions and cataloging procedures and principles, including an understanding of the e-resource lifecycle, current issues in licensing and discovery, purchasing models, emerging metadata standards and bibliographic utilities?

• Yes

• No

• • Do you have a strong understanding of current developments in scholarly publishing, open access models, and the lifecycle of electronic resources?

• Yes

• No