Director of Collections Services

Reporting to the Head of Collection Services and Open Scholarship the Director of Collections Services provides strategic leadership for LSU Libraries’ collections, advancing the Libraries’ mission to support the University’s teaching, research, and learning through innovative, sustainable, and user-centered collection strategies. This role integrates evolving collection models, budget planning, and assessment practices to align with the Libraries’ strategic priorities. They oversee collection development, assessment, and stewardship of physical, digital, and open-access resources, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, fostering data-driven decision-making, and championing sustainable, user-centered models in library collections. They work closely with library units and academic departments to guide renewal, selection, and retention decisions, ensuring a sustainable and relevant collection. They explore innovative approaches to collection development, analyze financial and usage data, and refine policies to ensure fiscally responsible decision-making.

Responsibilities:

• 40% Collection Strategy: Provide vision and direction for the development and stewardship of research collections. Collaborate with the Head of Collections & Open Scholarship, subject librarians, faculty, and campus stakeholders to ensure collections align with evolving institutional priorities. Develop and implement policies, procedures, and guidelines for lifecycle management of resources in all formats. Negotiate pricing and content with publishers and vendors, using data-driven assessments to maximize impact and cost-effectiveness. Manage vendor relationships to ensure quality service and strategic acquisitions. Coordinate with internal selectors and vendors on approval plans. Represent LSU Libraries in consortia discussions, system-wide committees, and national and regional networks to assess collaborative agreements and emerging best practices.
• 30% Data, Assessment & Budget Strategy: Leads assessment initiatives to measure the value, use, and impact of collections. Stays informed of best practices and emerging methodologies in collection assessment. In collaboration with the Head of Collections & Open Scholarship, oversees the development of a comprehensive data analysis strategy to support collection assessment and data-informed decision-making, including the creation of analytics, dashboards, and benchmarking tools to monitor usage, cost, return on investment, and trends across peer institutions. Collaborates with Administrative Services and the Associate Dean of Public & Collection Services on budget forecasting, allocation, reallocation, cost‐benefit analysis, and long-term sustainability of collection investments. Compile and submit required reports ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• 20% Supervision & Staff Development: Supervise and mentor staff within the Collections and Resource Strategies department, setting performance goals and providing regular evaluations. Identify training and professional development needs to ensure staff maintain current knowledge of collection trends, tools, and practices. Encourage a culture of innovation, collaboration, and shared responsibility among the team.
• 10% Service: Performs service to the libraries, university, and/or profession.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master's, MLIS/MLS from an ALA-accredited institution.

5 years of supervisory or leadership experience.

Progressively responsible experience in academic or research library collection development, acquisitions/licensing, metadata/cataloging, or resource management.

Demonstrated experience in budget management, data‐driven decision making, and analytics in a library collections context.

Experience with integrated library systems (ILS) or library services platforms (LSP), and familiarity with metadata/cataloging standards and discovery systems.

Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

Benefits - LSU offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!

Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.

All candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and maintain that valid work authorization throughout employment. Changes in laws, regulations, or government policies may impact the university’s ability to employ individuals in certain positions.