Dean of the University Library

Details•San Diego, CA

18h•Onsite

About The Position

The Helen K. and James S. Copley Library serves as a vibrant intellectual and cultural hub, anchoring the university’s commitment to academic excellence. With a full renovation completed in 2021, the library hosts over 280,000 visitors annually and blends expansive collections with cutting-edge digital access and personalized research support. Beyond its collections, Copley Library offers dynamic study spaces, meeting facilities, and co-curricular programming that foster collaboration and community. As an active participant in regional and national consortia—including the San Diego Library Circuit Consortium, the Catholic Research Resource Alliance, and the Statewide California Electronic Library Consortium— Copley extends its impact well beyond campus. Its global engagement is further reflected in its Sister Library partnership with the Universidad de Monterrey, underscoring a shared commitment to Catholic higher education and cross-cultural collaboration. The next Dean of Copley Library will shape and advance a bold, forward-looking vision and strategic plan—building on the library’s strengths as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and student success. A tenured academic leader with strong operational and financial acumen with a collaborative, shared governance approach to leadership, the Dean will foster a culture of trust, transparency, and collaboration while ensuring organizational effectiveness by assessing and refining structures, processes, and policies. Building on the library’s embedded librarian model, the Dean will deepen partnerships across academic programs and expand support for teaching, learning, and research, while leading innovation in digital scholarship, artificial intelligence, and research infrastructure aligned with USD’s growth as an R2 institution. The Dean will also strengthen strategic partnerships locally, nationally, and globally to enhance USD’s visibility and impact, and will elevate the library’s profile through effective advocacy and fundraising.

Requirements

Master of Science in Library and Information Science (MLS) (or equivalent degree) from an ALA-accredited institution.
A scholarly record appropriate for the appointment of tenure in the Copley Library.
Proven record of inclusive leadership.
Experience guiding organizational change.
Exceptional communication skills.
Experience enhancing knowledge creation and dissemination across the university and beyond.
A deep commitment to the mission and values of contemporary Catholic higher education is essential.
Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.
Official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.

Nice To Haves

Tenured academic leader with strong operational and financial acumen.
Collaborative, shared governance approach to leadership.
Experience with an embedded librarian model.
Experience with R2 institution growth.

Responsibilities

Shape and advance a bold, forward-looking vision and strategic plan for the library.
Foster a culture of trust, transparency, and collaboration.
Ensure organizational effectiveness by assessing and refining structures, processes, and policies.
Deepen partnerships across academic programs.
Expand support for teaching, learning, and research.
Lead innovation in digital scholarship, artificial intelligence, and research infrastructure.
Strengthen strategic partnerships locally, nationally, and globally.
Elevate the library’s profile through effective advocacy and fundraising.