Head, Liaison Services

McGill University

About The Position

The position of Head, Liaison Services at the Schulich Library of Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, and Engineering offers an exciting opportunity to lead the liaison services of one of Canada’s top research libraries, supporting McGill University’s Faculties of Engineering, Science, Medicine & Health Sciences, and Dental Medicine & Oral Health Sciences. With a strong user-centered approach, the Unit Head will lead and shape the liaison services that meet the evolving needs of researchers and students in these dynamic fields. Reporting to the Associate Dean, Research & Scholarship, and actively collaborating with McGill Libraries and University partners, this position plays a vital role in positioning the library as a key contributor to teaching, learning and research at McGill University. THE McGILL LIBRARIES Located in Montréal, one of the world’s great multicultural and multilingual cities, McGill University is internationally recognized for its excellence as a leading institution of higher education and research. For nearly 200 years, through the work of dedicated people, McGill has been breaking ground in diverse fields and contributing solutions to some of the world’s most significant issues. McGill is also the most internationally diverse research-intensive university in Canada, with over 32% of its students coming to McGill from more than 150 countries. The University systematically appears on the annual list of the best employers in Montreal. The McGill Libraries are committed to delivering high-quality, innovative information products, services and programs that focus on client needs and support the University’s strategic mission and directions. The McGill Libraries proactively supports the teaching, learning and research needs of faculty and students to fulfill McGill’s strategic mission of excellence as a research-intensive, student-centred university. The McGill Libraries has the largest collection in Quebec and is one of Canada’s largest academic libraries with over six million monograph titles and 150,000 e-journals and databases. The Libraries are a member of the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL), the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Bureau de coopération interuniversitaire (BCI), the Center for Research Libraries (CRL), and the HathiTrust Digital Library. INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE STAFF Information about the University and the McGill Libraries can be found on the University’s web site. As a tenure stream appointee, the successful candidate is expected to satisfy the requirements in the Regulations Relating to the Employment of Librarian Staff.

Requirements

Master’s degree in library or information science accredited by the American Library Association or recognized equivalent.
Minimum five years of professional library experience, preferably in an academic setting in an area covered by the Schulich Library or Open Science, including two years with supervisory or managerial responsibilities.
Demonstrated ability to lead and manage using collaborative, transparent, and inclusive approaches.
Experience performing liaison or educational services, demonstrated through instruction, consultation, outreach, or program development, with a strong user-centered service orientation.
Engagement with professional communities through service, committee involvement, or scholarly or creative activities.
Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and a willingness to continue learning about the histories and experiences of Indigenous communities in Canada, including the legacy of residential schools.
Excellent interpersonal and professional communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal.
McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at level #(4) on a scale of 1-4.

Nice To Haves

A graduate degree in a relevant field is an asset; a PhD is considered a strong asset.
Knowledge of French is a significant asset.
Experience assessing and improving library services, including the ability to plan, manage, and evaluate multiple projects or service initiatives.
Awareness of current trends in academic librarianship, including pedagogy, instructional technologies, and emerging user needs.
High level of professionalism and commitment to the organization and its mission and the ability to work flexibly in a changing environment.

Responsibilities

Provides leadership, strategic direction, and overall management of Schulich liaison librarian services, ensuring alignment with McGill Libraries priorities.
Contribute leadership to the development of campus‑wide capacity for Open Science, in collaboration with librarians, researchers, and campus partners.
Lead the design and delivery of services, training, and outreach that support researchers in adopting Open Science tools, platforms, and best practice.
Champion the integration of Open Science principles into library collections, services, and research support infrastructure.
Manage, mentor, and evaluate a team of liaison librarians, including oversight of workload distribution, professional development, performance assessment, and ongoing skill enhancement.
Collaborate with internal and external partners, including the Schulich lending and access services manager, other Library units, University departments, and external organizations on shared initiatives and projects.
Cultivate a positive, collaborative, and effective work environment that supports strong communication, teamwork, and professional respect.
Represent Schulich Library on Libraries, Faculty, and University committees, task forces, and working groups, as well as relevant external committees and associations.
Advance and model principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, Indigenization, and accessibility (EDIA) in all aspects of service design, team management, and community engagement.
Foster a culture of engagement, innovation, and continuous improvement, encouraging assessment, experimentation, and user‑centered service development.