Associate Dean for Health Research Services & Partnerships

Librarian/Faculty Renewable Term

Position Overview

Reporting to the Dean of University Libraries, the Associate Dean for Health Research Services, and Partnerships provides critical leadership, strategy, innovation, and collaborative partnerships supporting library and information services to the educational, research, and professional communities of the OU Health enterprise. Through oversight of Bird Library, OUHC partnerships, and participation in University Libraries strategy and planning, the AD plays a crucial role in providing comprehensive library services to support the diverse information needs of students, faculty, and researchers across six health professions-focused colleges, the graduate programs in biomedical sciences and public health, and evidence-based clinical practice. The Associate Dean brings substantial expert knowledge, a collaborative approach to institutional and extended partnerships, and dedication to the continued growth and impact of the health library and its programming.

Position Responsibilities

OUHC Library Leadership and Management

Responsible for senior leadership and administrative coordination of Bird library services, programs, and personnel serving the OU Health enterprise in coordination with University Libraries strategy, planning, policies, protocols, and procedures.

• Leads strategic alignment of library services and capacities with OUHC information and expertise needs through organizational priority-setting, program development, services innovation, and campus partnerships promoting beneficial library impact of academic, research, and patient care.
• Serves a OUHC lead representative and collaborator advancing the visibility, engagement, and effectiveness of Bird library and extended OU libraries to campus stakeholder communities and programs.
• Articulates a compelling vision for the value of the health library in supporting knowledge creation, transformative teaching and learning, and broader community engagement.
• Provides effective oversight and development of Bird library management to promote efficient and impactful operations, services delivery, and facilities.
• Promotes the effective supervision and development of library personnel, including faculty, professionals and staff to ensure an engaged and effective library service presence, delivering meaningful services outcomes and experiences.
• Develops strategic and operational partnerships with relevant library organizations, academic colleges/departments, research entities, and state, regional and national organizations to expand the reach and impact of services, expertise, and partnerships.
• Develops both short- and long-range visions for the Bird Library that support teaching, learning, scholarly communication, patient care, and research.
• Effectively communicates complex issues and perspectives to a wide range of constituencies, including administration, students, faculty, researchers and the public.
• Facilitates division participation in coordinated Libraries’ wide events and programming, as well as inter-organizational and inter-institutional projects and development opportunities.
• Participates in the study, justification, and planning for facilities enhancements

University Libraries Leadership

• Serves as a member of the University Libraries System’s senior leadership team by actively contributing to organizational strategy, planning, operations, resource development, program assessment, and institutional impacts.
• Demonstrates understanding and contributes to UL knowledge and response to the changing nature of today’s health education, research, and clinical information needs.
• Anchors Bird Library and the mission and goals of the OU Health campus into OU-wide libraries strategy, planning, resource management, partnerships, standards, leveraging, and priority setting by
• Facilitates integration and delivery of evolving campus information and services needs.
• Facilitates the UL’s engagement with and trusted support of stakeholders across the OU Health enterprise through effective communication, planning, and execution of programs and by aligning the Bird library’s practices, services delivery, innovation and organizational development as a campus division of the UL.
• Serves as the lead representative and information source for OUHC communications and fundraising needs with UL-supporting Foundation and Marketing & Communications

Research, Scholarship & Creative Activity

• Publishes and presents on professional and scholarly topics and research.

Professional, University & Administrative Involvement

• Participates in library and university committees and task forces related to primary job assignment as appropriate or assigned.
• Serves and participates at the local, state, regional, national and international level in professional and scholarly associations as appropriate to position and experience.
• Maintains up-to-date professional knowledge and skills in areas related to primary job assignment by participating in appropriate professional development and continuing education activities in the library, on campus, and within the library profession.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program or related field.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible management experience in an academic or research library or similar institution, together with a strong grasp of current issues, trends, and technologies impacting higher education and academic libraries.
• Background or experience in broad health sciences, biomedical, or public health librarianship, preferably in an academic or research library setting.
• Ability to work in a changing, collegial and collaborative environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Excellent organizational, time and project management skills.
• Experience developing, implementing and assessing services and programs
• Familiarity or experience with strategic planning, program review & assessment, and change management.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Advanced degree in a relevant field.
• Experience developing partnerships with library and academic departments, campus entities, and state, regional and national organizations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of or success in fundraising, including grant writing, grant management, and donor relations/cultivation.

Application Process

The Search Committee invites nominations, expressions of interest, or applications (a letter of interest and curriculum vitae) which may be submitted in confidence to the Buffkin/Baker search firm:

Buffkin / Baker

Ms. Chelsie Whitelock, Associate Partner

[email protected]

The University of Oklahoma, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, gender identity/expression (consistent with applicable law), age (40 or older), religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, housing, financial aid, and educational services.