Vice-Provost and Chief Librarian

Office of the Provost & Vice-President (Academic)

Competition No.  -    A103119224 Closing Date  -    Will remain open until filled.

The University of Alberta invites nominations and applications for the position of Vice-Provost and Chief Librarian.

The University of Alberta in Edmonton is one of Canada’s top teaching and research universities, with an international reputation for excellence across the humanities, sciences, creative arts, business, engineering, and health sciences. Home to more than 39,000 students and 15,000 faculty and staff, the university has an annual budget of $1.7 billion and attracts nearly $500 million in sponsored research revenue. The U of A offers close to 400 rigorous undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in 18 faculties on five campuses—including one rural and one francophone campus. The university has approximately 243,000 alumni worldwide. The university and its people remain dedicated to the promise made in 1908 by founding president Henry Marshall Tory that knowledge shall be used for “uplifting the whole people.”

This is an opportunity for an outstanding leader for the following portfolio: The University of Alberta’s Libraries, Canada’s second largest research library and ranked eleventh in the 2010-2011 Association of Research Libraries Collections Index; an innovative and diverse unit of Museums; a successful publishing house; and theUniversity Bookstore, which has locations on all five campuses.  This position will further enhance current institutional systems by supporting learning and research needs throughout the University community, enabling collaboration locally and internationally, and engaging with an ever-changing information technology environment.

The Vice-Provost and Chief Librarian, who reports to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), is responsible for budget and fund development, and champions the goals of all of the units in the portfolio. He or she is assisted in these responsibilities by an 11-person leadership team and over 400 staff. Finally, the Vice-Provost and Chief Librarian is a senior administrator of the University, a member of Deans’ Council, and as such plays a significant role in providing advice and supporting the goals of a research-intensive, multi-campus University.

The successful candidate must have demonstrated leadership experience in a complex post-secondary environment; a commitment to service excellence and to the continued building of outstanding collections; superior knowledge of current and emerging information technologies, and understanding of their potential across the portfolio; an established record of professional and scholarly achievement; successful management experience in senior positions; and exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.  An ability to interact at senior administrative levels and to articulate a compelling vision for the portfolio is essential. Also required are an MLIS or equivalent degree from an accredited library school and qualifications for a Librarian 3 appointment, with tenure.  The appointment, for an initial five-year term, begins July 1, 2013.

Consideration of candidates will begin in January 2013.

Written nominations, applications or expressions of interest may be submitted in confidence to:

Dr. Sam Scully
Janet Wright & Associates Inc.
Phone: 416-923-3008 extension 231
Email: sscully@jwasearch.com

The University of Alberta hires on the basis of merit. We are committed to the principle of equity in employment. We welcome diversity and encourage applications from all qualified women and men, including persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and Aboriginal persons.