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Washtenaw Community College
Executive Director of Learning Resources

Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Washtenaw Community College in its search for Executive Director of Learning Resources. 

For full consideration, please apply by April 25th.

This is an exceptional time for an innovative and forward-thinking leader to join one of the nation’s premier community colleges in one of America’s top college cities. Reporting directly to the Vice President for Academics and Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Executive Director of Learning Resources is a critical partner in shaping the educational environment at Washtenaw Community College. They are responsible for strategic leadership in developing, managing, and providing learning resources and services to the college constituencies throughout the college campus and online. The Learning Resources Division (LRD) is highly valued for its rich collections, extensive services, and outstanding staff. The LRD includes the Bailey Library, Learning Commons, and Tutoring. The library also includes Access Services, Collection Development, and Reference Departments.

The Executive Director of Learning Resources embodies collaborative leadership, strategic vision and teamwork to drive the division’s priorities and support faculty and student needs. The successful candidate is committed to continuous improvement and implementing innovative and well-proven Library practices and services tailored to meet the needs of a diverse community. The Executive Director of Learning Resources brings experience as the director of a library and/or library organization and has knowledge and understanding of Library scholarships, copyright laws and Library systems and technologies.   

This position reports directly to the Vice President for Academics and Liberal Arts and Sciences.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategically develop and recommend the library, learning commons and tutoring goals, policies, resources, and services to align with the immediate and long-term goals of the college, and to meet the educational needs of faculty and students.
• Build and provide visionary leadership in creating a culture which embraces innovation and supports the recommendation, development, support, and implementation of services, programs, and spaces that enable the library to develop as a learning hub that engages and meet the changing needs of students.
• Oversee and manage all operating, general, and endowed budget lines and prepare the annual budget with future projects and long-term strategic initiatives in mind. 
• Evaluate the accessibility of resources and services as needed. Make changes in systems and in the utilization of space to accommodate these needs.
• Plan, direct, and organize staff to select, acquire, organize, and make available to the college community both print and non-print Library collections to ensure continued relevance and sustainability.
• Develop policies and procedures for Library resource sharing and support participation in existing national, state, and local cooperative arrangements.
• Provide vision and collaborate with faculty and academic administrators to offer Library and tutoring support for academic programs, faculty instruction and scholarship, and student learning activities.
• Work directly with the Head of Tutoring to develop and implement plans for various tutoring services while utilizing current data.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and align with trends in the profession between the Library, Learning Commons, and tutoring for a sustainable future.
• Provide direction for the Learning Commons technologies, resources, and services for students, including the development of a user-centric support environment and collaboration with other departments, such as ITS, Learning Support Services, and Writing Center, etc., to provide computing and tutoring resources and services in the Commons.
• Play a leadership role in the college’s adoption of OER and development of OER courses by collaborating with the instructional deans and faculty.
• Direct the regular compilation of statistical data and the required preparation and submission of reports on the library’s collection and services to federal and state agencies, library networks, and consortia.
• Ensure that the library complies with the ethical and legal standards of the American Library Association and other appropriate bodies. 
• Consult regularly with the Vice President for Academics and Liberal Arts and Sciences on all aspects of Library operations and engage in institutional leadership as appropriate and/or assigned.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the Vice President for Academics and Liberal Arts and Sciences or designee.

RELATED DUTIES

• Seek sources of outside funding when necessary and provide expenditure control for grant-funded projects.
• Participate, as a member, in the work of college committees and represent the Library, the Learning Commons, and tutoring at college meetings and functions.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Vice President of Instruction.

• Master’s degree in Information & Library Science accredited by the American Library Association. 
• Minimum of two (2) years’ experience as the director of a library and/or library organization overseeing all administrative, planning, budgetary and personnel operations.
• Continued leadership involvement with state and national professional library associations. 
• Analytical/administrative abilities to serve as an effective leader and manager of an academic library, not only through the management of people and budgets, but also in analysis, short and long-term strategic planning and execution, and successful implementation of new ideas, services, and technologies.
•  Experience in directly supervising staff, including faculty librarians, preferably in a union environment.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills for communication with staff, faculty, students, and administration.
• A high level of professionalism, innovation, collaboration, and institutional commitment in all actions.
• History of successful staff recruitment, development, mentorship, and team building. 
• Knowledge and experience with Library scholarship.
• Knowledge of copyright laws as related to learning resources and services, including creative commons licenses.
• Knowledge of Library systems and technologies, preferably ExLibris/Alma.
• Ability to serve as an institution-wide partner and team player, able to engage in constructive dialogue and to advocate persuasively and transparently for the mission and priorities of a Library.
• Demonstrated success in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within an institution, as reflected in hiring practices, student engagement, and Library content and accessibility. 
• Knowledge of both innovative and well-proven Library practices and services. 
• Ability to provide rapid response in disseminating information, completing and submitting materials, and returning phone calls and emails in a timely manner to both internal colleagues and external constituents.

About the Institution
 

Washtenaw Community College was established in 1965, when Washtenaw County voters passed a millage to provide financial support for a countywide community college. WCC opened with a 6-member Board of Trustees, a newly appointed president, and a parcel of land in Ann Arbor and Superior Townships. Classes started in September 1966 on a temporary campus at Willow Run, with 1200 students enrolled in 30 occupational programs and a transfer curriculum.  

From this modest beginning, WCC has grown into one of the nation’s premier community colleges with an annual enrollment of more than 18,000 students in credit classes each year, and thousands more in Economic and College Development classes. The diverse student body includes more than 1,000 students from 100 foreign countries. The 285-acre campus and strategically located extension centers, operating resources, technology-enabled facilities, and instructional quality are the envy of post-secondary education institutions near and far. 

Living in the Area 

Ann Arbor, with a population of 120,000, is consistently ranked “Best of” in numerous categories by multiple sources including being #1 in the Top 100 Best Places to Live ranking in 2018 conducted by Livability. The city hosts the best schools and universities in the entire state of Michigan and education is a priority for Ann Arbor locals. With more than 90% of residents living within a 10-minute walk of a public park, Ann Arbor ranks high in walkability. Charming streets lined with bookstores, shopping, and unique culinary offerings set the backdrop for street fairs and a thriving arts scene. There are endless opportunities for sports, hiking and to enjoy nature along the Huron River which runs through the center of town. The city has lower unemployment and crime rates than the national average.

To Apply 

For full consideration, please apply by April 25th.

Please apply through the application link and do not email applications. 

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially

Inquiries and questions: Please send to WCCExecutiveDirectorLDR@acesrch.com

Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominee’s name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com.

WCC EEO/AA Statement 
 
Washtenaw Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. 
Washtenaw Community College does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status as provided for and to the extent required by federal and state statutes. Nor does the college discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. 
Washtenaw Community College is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities.  
Please visit Washtenaw Community College's Office of Diversity and Inclusion for more information and upcoming events.