General Manager, Library Services

General Manager, Library Services
Thompson-Nicola Regional Library

Encompassing an unparalleled geographic region in the heart of British Columbia, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) offers the best of both worlds. Urban life within vibrant communities and outlying rural regions that showcase the region's beauty: pristine but rugged mountains, rolling grasslands, lush evergreen forests and both historic and modern areas, all within approximately 45,000 square kilometres. Headquartered in the heart of Kamloops, the TNRD provides a wide range of local government services to a population of 144,000 located within its 11 diverse municipalities and 10 electoral areas.

Kamloops is situated on the traditional and unceded lands of the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc within Secwepemc’ulucw territory at the confluence of the mighty North and South Thompson rivers. A mecca for sports and outdoor enthusiasts, Canada’s Tournament Capital City is located 350 kms from Vancouver and a short 45-minute drive from the resort Village of Sun Peaks known for its world class ski runs, hiking rails and bike park. Minutes away from pristine lakes and mountains, it’s not unusual to encounter wildlife this supernatural BC territory. Let your imagination run wild!

About the Position
The General Manager of Library Services plays a key leadership role within the Thompson-Nicola Regional District. As a member of the senior management team and reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the General Manager of Library Operations contributes to achieving both the overall vision of the organization and the community.

This role is responsible for oversight and leadership of the Thompson-Nicola Regional Library (TNRL), which has been dedicated to meeting the lifelong learning, reading and informational needs of TNRD residents for 50 years. Through 13 library branches and a bookmobile service circulating over 1 million items annually, we strive to be a leader in celebrating literacy and transforming lives through knowledge and information. By providing resources that enrich, educate and empower, we help make this the best region in British Columbia to live, work and play. We value customer service, intellectual freedom, education, lifelong learning, equity, respect and innovation. Learn more about the Thompson-Nicola Regional Library at: https://www.tnrl.ca/ 

More specifically, the General Manager of Library Services:

• Provides visionary leadership to deliver consistent, high-quality, and inclusive library services across the Regional District, ensuring the Library remains innovative, relevant to patrons, and well-positioned for the future.
• Ensures a safe and welcoming environment for all patrons and staff.
• Effectively leads, develops and empowers staff. Supervises direct reports and provides mentorship, coaching and performance management.
• Works in collaboration with the CAO and CFO to develop, monitor and ensure a sustainable budget for Library is maintained.
• Prepares and presents reports and recommendations to the Board of Directors.

This is an exciting opportunity for a professional with at least eight years’ of recent related experience with progressively increased responsibility, preferably in a public library, complex service organization, or other public sector organization, with experience supervising senior-level staff and building organizational accountability at all levels within a unionized organization.  In addition to their experience, the successful candidate will also hold an MLS or MLIS from an ALA-accredited program. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

The required knowledge, skills and abilities for success in this role include:

• Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to motivate, guide, mentor and support staff.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a large and complex public sector organization
• In-depth understanding of the interpretation and application of collective agreements, HR procedures, performance management, and disciplinary processes.
• Exceptional communication, presentation and interpersonal skills and an ability to effectively communicate with elected officials, other departments, staff and patrons.
• Maintains an awareness of emerging developments in technology and the delivery of public library services, ensuring ongoing integration of trends into the library setting
• Extensive knowledge of the provincial legislation that governs the operation of public libraries in British Columbia
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to effectively prioritize projects and initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully implement organizational changes, library programs, collections, services and policies.
• Highly developed analytical and business planning skills with a proven track record for long-term visioning and big picture thinking.
• Ability to develop, maintain and expand successful community relationships and interact co-operatively with other governmental and non-governmental organizations to the benefit of the library system.
• Recognized involvement in professional associations and activities. Engages in personal and professional development on issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Demonstrated fiscal responsibility including preparing budgets and managing financial and material resources accordingly
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office
• A current and valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License and satisfactory driving record.

This is a non-union position, with a competitive compensation package being offered. The salary range for this position is $137,938 - $185,567 annually plus an extensive extended health and benefits package and pension plan.