Director of Research, Teaching and User Services New
The Claremont Colleges Services · Claremont, CA · Hybrid · Unknown
Salary USD 109,992–120,000
Apply by Jan 16, 2026
Posted Dec 4, 2025
Reporting to the A.J. McFadden Dean of the Library, and serving as a member of the Library’s senior leadership team, The Director of Research, Teaching and User Services (RTUS) leads a division that is engaged in information literacy instruction, reference and research services, collection development, scholarly communication/open access outreach, liaison work, and a variety of user and access services, including: building access, general collection circulation and a robust course readings program. This position provides an opportunity to bring vision, creativity, and organizational skills to enhance the three units of the RTUS division: Research Services (RS), Information Literacy & Student Engagement (ILSE), and User Services (US). In addition, this position will collaboratively work with colleagues to sustain and develop public and instructional services that meet the educational and informational needs of The Claremont Colleges community.
The Director of Research, Teaching and User Services requires a capacity to thrive and respond effectively to the evolving and unique needs of The Claremont Colleges, a distinctive consortium comprised of five undergraduate colleges and two graduate institutions located forty miles from Los Angeles in the college town of Claremont, California. The Library is a member of the Oberlin Group of Libraries, the HathiTrust, the Greater Western Library Alliance (GWLA), the Center for Research Libraries (CRL) and the Statewide California Electronic Library Consortium (SCELC). It is one of eighteen main service departments of The Claremont Colleges Services (TCCS) which is the central support organization for The Claremont Colleges. The Claremont Colleges Services Library Staff Federation (AFT Local 6735) represents the majority of professional and paraprofessional staff within the Library.
- Priority Deadline: The deadline for first consideration is January 16, 2026. Please note that a cover letter and CV/resume are required along with the application.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Divisional Leadership
- Identifies, anticipates and reports on emerging trends in information literacy instruction, assessment of student learning, research support, collection development, scholarly communication and copyright issues, artificial intelligence (AI) as it relates to academic libraries, access service design and student success/student wellness initiatives.
- Working with the division's Unit Heads,and in consultation with the Dean, maintains the visibility of the Library’s research and teaching services for the undergraduate colleges with faculty and departmental constituencies
- Working with the Head of Research Services, and other stakeholders within the Library, investigates, and implements, best practices in scholarly communications outreach mechanisms as well as best practices in the creation of public guides and instructional information to facilitate the development of Open Educational Resources (OERs).
- Emphasizing a strong learner-centered service ethic, develops a common research support model for all in-person service points within the Library in collaboration with Library Leadership Team (LLT) colleagues.
- Identifies, envisions, and implements further synergies between the User Services unit and the Research Services and Information Literacy and Student Engagement units especially in the areas of student outreach, orientations and course readings.
- Collaborates with the Distinctive Collections and Digital Scholarship (DCDS) division on developing complementary public service offerings and methods to encourage the sharing of scholarly output. Encourages collaboration among, and capacity-building for, librarians in the use of primary sources, digital scholarship and data science methods.
- Collaborates with the Collections, Metadata, and Resource Sharing (CMRS) division on allocating the Materials Budget across disciplines and types of resources. Works cross-divisionally on planning and overseeing strategic collections maintenance and assessment projects.
- Actively represents the Library in professional associations; maintains currency with new and emerging standards and best practices in the field; shares knowledge and expertise within the division and with other colleagues, and encourages divisional staff to do the same.
Organizational Leadership
- As a member of the Library Leadership Team (LLT), contributes to overall library strategic planning activities, representing the RTUS division, and plays a key role in the implementation of the Library’s strategic initiatives.
- Works collaboratively with Library leadership colleagues on cross-divisional communication, data-informed decision-making, and related efforts to foster an organizational culture of planning, assessment, experimentation, and strategic thinking.
- Represents the Library in high level stakeholder outreach activities aimed at deepening the Library’s understanding of the colleges’ needs and the colleges’ understanding of the Library’s existing and potential future contributions.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibility
- Number of direct reports: 3
- Titles of direct reports: Head, Information Literacy & Student Engagement; Head, Research Services; Head, User Services
- Recruit, select, train, evaluate, and develop staff.
- Clearly communicate job requirements and expectations.
- Coordinate training and resources to support the performance of work duties.
- Provide ongoing coaching that is balanced, helpful, timely, and contributes to a work environment of open communication, ownership of duties, and trust.
- Address performance issues early, create appropriate documentation, and ensure follow through. Collaborate with Human Resources as needed.
- Complete annual written performance reviews.
QUALIFICATIONS
Unless otherwise stated, the following qualifications are required to perform the essential functions of this position, or the individual must demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed (with or without reasonable accommodation) using other qualifications not listed below.
Education/Training:
- ALA-accredited MLS/MLIS or equivalent education and experience.
Experience:
- Minimum of four years of experience in an academic or research library and demonstrated evidence of progressively increasing scope of responsibility.
- Minimum of three years of supervisory experience.
- Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and providing leadership to achieve organizational goals and priorities.
- Experience with conducting and leading outreach to faculty or academic program leaders on campus.
- Teaching and instruction experience within an academic or research library.
Competencies:
- Ability to be proactive, adaptable, and effective as a leader and senior administrator to respond to evolving Library and campus priorities in a complex environment.
- Deep understanding of the academic library’s role in teaching, learning, and research.
- Knowledge of current academic library trends in information literacy, research services, scholarly communication, artificial intelligence (AI) and copyright education, collection development and access services.
- Understanding of how digital literacy and scholarly communications intersects with, complements, and extends information literacy concepts and practices..
- Experience with providing and assessing innovative library services to undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and staff
- Ability to work collaboratively at all levels of the organization, and in particular with other senior leadership members, to articulate strategic priorities and vision for The Claremont Colleges Library and to provide leadership to achieve organizational goals.
- Exemplary emotional intelligence and diplomacy skills when working with colleagues and users.
- Demonstrated leadership and analytical skills, creative and innovative problem-solving skills, and a strong commitment to service excellence.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives including staff training, recruitment and retention strategies and student success.
- Commitment to fostering an inclusive educational environment and workplace and ability to work with a diverse student and faculty population.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated skills in promoting teamwork and collegiality among colleagues.
- Commitment to service and contributions to the profession as demonstrated by a record of participation in national professional associations and presentations at the local and national level.
- Commitment to ongoing professional development and personal leadership growth.
Preferred Experience:
- Experience working with academic consortia.
- Managerial experience with collective bargaining units.
- Certification or training in copyright and/or Open Education librarianship
