Job Announcement: University Librarian

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) invites inquiries, nominations and applications for the position of Norman and Armena Powell University Librarian (UL). Consistently ranked among the top academic libraries in the country, the UCLA library system comprises the Charles E. Young Research Library; Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library; Powell Library; Southern Regional Library Facility; six special libraries; a data science center; and the UCLA Film & Television Archive, a division of UCLA Library. With an annual budget of $64 million and an organization of approximately 87 librarians, 222 staff and 355 student employees, UCLA Library collections include nearly 18 million titles with more than 400 languages represented, 3.2 million e-books, 350,000+ motion pictures, 170,000+ television programs, 27 million feet of newsreel footage, and nearly 4 million digital library objects. Additional information can be found on the University Library website.

As the chief executive officer of the UCLA library system, the UL provides strategic vision for and operational leadership of the libraries, which support UCLA’s research and instructional missions by providing access to and delivery of information resources; developing, organizing and preserving collections for optimal use; supporting discovery of and access to remote information sources; encouraging innovation; and promoting excellence. Among the UL’s responsibilities are overseeing the appointment, promotion and advancement of approximately 122 librarians campuswide; working closely with faculty to advance teaching and learning by engaging new services to enhance the student experience and support the entire research lifecycle; leading an aggressive fundraising program, including an annual giving program and stewardship of significant collections as gifts-in-kind; and providing administrative leadership for the UCLA Library Senior Fellows Program. The UL will lead the continuing effort to build a library of the future by making knowledge accessible both in person and online, advancing digital innovations, preserving global cultural heritage as part of post-colonial collecting, establishing community partnerships that preserve Los Angeles history, and supporting open publishing and new forms of scholarly communications.

Reporting to the executive vice chancellor and provost, the UL is a member of the Academic Senate and serves on the deans’ and professional school deans’ councils, collaborating with campus leadership at UCLA and across the University of California system. The UL also serves on the Academic Senate Committee on Libraries and Scholarly Communication, the University of California Council of University Librarians, and the University of California Shared Library Facilities Board, along with other UCLA and systemwide posts. The UL represents UCLA in the Association of Research Libraries, Coalition for Networked Information, Center for Research Libraries, SPARC, the Pacific Rim Research Library Alliance, and other national and international library organizations.

We seek a visionary leader to build upon the UCLA Library’s tradition of excellence, continue to enhance its diversity and expand its impact. Ideal candidates will be nationally recognized with substantial administrative leadership experience; strong visibility within the library community; knowledge of transformative trends in research libraries; and the capacity to exercise policy leadership at local, state, national and international levels. Minimum requirements include a strong commitment to research library service; a record of distinguished professional accomplishment; demonstrated administrative experience and intellectual leadership in the area of research librarianship; proven success in — or aptitude for — external and alumni relations and development, donor cultivation and acquisition; a record of advancing equity, diversity and inclusion; and knowledge of the challenges facing libraries within higher education.

Situated on 419 acres, five miles from the Pacific Ocean, UCLA is enriched by the cultural diversity of the dynamic greater Los Angeles area, as well as the geographic advantages of Southern California. One of the world’s preeminent public research universities, UCLA is an international leader in breadth and quality of academic, research, health care, wellness, cultural, continuing education and athletic programs, with more than 5,200 faculty members who teach approximately 47,500 students in the UCLA College and 12 professional schools. UCLA is consistently ranked among the top institutions nationally for research funding, having generated $1.7 billion in research grants and contracts in the last fiscal year alone.

The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $305,000 – $380,000, commensurate with related experience and qualifications. Relocation assistance is available. UCLA offers an inspiring higher education environment and excellent benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans. Learn more about the University of California and UCLA.

Confidential review of applications, nominations and expressions of interest will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made. Address nominations, inquiries and applications to our WittKieffer consultants Jessica Herrington, Maya E. Holt-Brockenbrough and Suzanne Teer at UCLAUniversityLibrarian@wittkieffer.com. To be ensured full consideration, please submit a letter of interest, diversity statement and curriculum vitae by September 1, 2023.