Unit Head of Continuing and Electronic Resources

Summary

The Hesburgh Libraries at the University of Notre Dame seek a collaborative, resourceful, and dynamic professional to serve as the Unit Head of Continuing and Electronic Resources (CER).  The CER Unit is one of three units reporting to the Director of the Collection Strategy and Acquisitions (CSA) Program. The Unit Head provides leadership for the procurement, assessment and management of continuing resources in both print and electronic formats, including individual and package journal subscriptions, databases, streaming services, and the management of data-driven acquisition models. The incumbent works collaboratively with the Unit Head of Resource Acquisition & Access (RAA) to provide training and support in the management of the electronic resources lifecycle (trials, acquisitions, license review, knowledge base management, troubleshooting, authentication and cancellations). They also work with the Program’s three Scholarly Resource Assessment Librarians, who collectively facilitate discussions across the Libraries regarding library collections. The CER Unit Head exercises vision, sets goals, and guides the work of four direct reports. The Unit Head works closely with all members of the CSA Program to develop a unified strategy, best practices, and workflows for managing fee-based and open access scholarly resources that incorporate key stakeholders. Librarians are non-tenured members of the University faculty and engage in professional service, contribution to the profession, and University and community service.

The acquisition of our physical collections and electronic resources is spread across two units: the RAA Unit has an emphasis on one-time purchases, such as print books, ebooks (packages & firm orders), digital primary resource collections, and data sets; the CER Unit has an emphasis on continuing resources. The CER Unit Head exercises vision, sets goals, and guides the work of four direct reports that support numerous aspects of the electronic resources lifecycle, print serials check-in, payment processes, and collection assessment. The Unit Head upholds the values of the Libraries, which include a commitment to innovation, team-based operations, project management, and continuous improvement. 

Responsibilities

• Manages the life cycle of continuing electronic resources (trials, acquisition, license review, knowledge base management, authentication protocols, renewals, and cancellations).
• Sets goals, assesses the performance of the unit, provides training, coaching, and improvement plans.
• Recommends new systems and positions to keep pace with evolving services.
• Advises on principles of data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Leads the development and implementation of local workflows and documentation to support the acquisition and management of electronic resources and print serials.
• Works collaboratively with the Unit Head of RAA to provide training and support in the management of all areas of the electronic resources lifecycle.
• Monitors trends and best practices related to scholarly publishing, electronic resource access, discoverability, data harvesting, usage analysis, and preservation to enhance library services.
• Works collaboratively with the Metadata Services Program to ensure the accuracy of MARC records, the discovery index, knowledge bases, and link resolver holdings.
• Works collaboratively with stakeholders to effectively integrate electronic resource tools and services into the larger discovery and delivery ecosystem.
• Reviews and negotiates license agreements to reach favorable terms, including complex negotiations for data sets, APIs, transformative agreements, and other emerging library resources.
• Provides support for inquiries related to interpretation of license terms.
• Establishes and maintains excellent publisher/vendor relationships.

Qualifications

Required

• MLS degree from an ALA-accredited program or non-U.S. equivalent, or equivalent terminal degree required. Degree must be completed prior to the candidate's starting date of employment.
• Experience with procuring and licensing electronic resources.
• Knowledge of serials and acquisitions practices.
• Ability to take a leadership role in group activities.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

Preferred

• Experience supporting the electronic resources lifecycle, including post-cancellation rights management.
• Team management experience.
• Knowledge of systems that support electronic resource management, access, and discovery.
• Knowledge of basic cataloging principles
• Evidence of project and time management skills and demonstrated ability to set priorities in a time-sensitive environment.

Salary and Benefits:

Appointment salary and rank are competitive, commensurate with experience and qualifications.  The Unit Head of Continuing and Electronic Resources is a non-tenure track member of the Library Faculty. The University offers an excellent benefits and annual vacation package.

Review of applications will begin immediately and the application deadline is March 31, 2021.

Environment:

The University of Notre Dame is a highly selective national Catholic teaching and research university in northern Indiana about ninety miles from Chicago. Approximately 8,200 undergraduates and 3,100 graduate students pursue a broad range of studies. For more information about the University of Notre Dame, please visit the University of Notre Dame homepage at http://nd.edu/.  The Hesburgh Libraries (http://library.nd.edu) hold about 3.5 million volumes and provide access to more than 23,000 serials. The Libraries have 141 staff and 57 librarians. The Libraries are a member of the Academic Libraries of Indiana (ALI), ARL, NERL and other consortia. The University of Notre Dame is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer strongly committed to diversity. We value qualified candidates who can bring a variety of backgrounds to our community.

Further details & application instructions:

This position posting and application instructions can be found on the Interfolio website: apply.interfolio.com/83991

Additional information about Hesburgh Libraries can be found on the Libraries’ website http://www.library.nd.edu/

For additional information about working at the University of Notre Dame and various benefits available to employees, please visit http://hr.nd.edu/why-nd.  The University of Notre Dame supports the needs of dual career couples and has a Dual Career Assistance Program (http://hr.nd.edu/employment-opportunities/dualcareer/) in place to assist relocating spouses and .significant others with their job search.

Diversity and Inclusion:

The Hesburgh Library at the University of Notre Dame embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented identities to apply.

Hesburgh Library is a member of the ACRL Diversity Alliance, which unites academic libraries who are committed to increasing the hiring pipeline of qualified and talented individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.

The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and is committed to building a culturally diverse workplace. We strongly encourage applications from female and minority candidates and others that will enhance our community. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and requires affirmative action by covered contractors to employ and advance veterans and qualified individuals with disabilities in compliance with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a).