Job Summary
The Opportunity
Richmond Hill is a growing and diverse community in the heart of York Region. For more than 165 years, Richmond Hill Public Library has evolved alongside the community we serve, adapting to changing needs while remaining a trusted place for learning, connection and discovery. Today, RHPL serves residents through welcoming spaces, innovative programs, diverse collections and services that support people at every stage of life.
The Director, Corporate Services is a dynamic new role reporting to the CEO and a key member of our executive leadership team. This is a unique opportunity to help lead a modern public library system through responsive, innovative and future-focused operations.
The incumbent will be accountable for a diverse portfolio, including Information Technology, Finance, Human Resources, Risk Management and Facility Management. This role calls for a collaborative leader whose experience and expertise will help shape the future of the Library and the community we serve.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Senior Leadership
- Provide overall guidance and insight for the organization and collaborate to provide outstanding customer experience
- Develop working relationships with key members of the City of Richmond Hill management team
- Develop and maintain positive working relationships with elected and government officials
- Act as a role model for organizational values and workplace culture, develop and write policies, manage resources and budgets, sponsor committees and working groups, and write and present board reports and updates
Departmental Leadership
- Responsible for the development and delivery of the library’s financial, technological, risk management, human resources and facilities management
- Monitor departmental progress on projects, commitments and initiatives
- Review current processes and practices, and apply modern tools and thinking to advance how the department operates and delivers services in an agile fashion
- Provide visionary and strategic leadership goals and associated business plans that speak to the corporate vision
- Consider opportunities for service delivery improvement and modern service development
Information Technology
- Oversee and optimize library information solutions
- Provide technology experience and background to oversee a team of technology professionals
- Provide a forward-looking environment for a best of breed public technology experience
- Support decision-making through data management and analysis
- Collaborate with City of Richmond Hill IT department to maximize efficiency and customer experience
- Be familiar with managing in SaaS environment
Human Resources
- Provide oversight and guidance regarding:
- Employee relations
- Recruitment and staffing
- Performance management
- Compensation
- Training and Development
- Labour relations and union liaison
- Ensuring compliance with legislation (AODA, Occupational Health and Safety)
- Work closely with the Human Resources department at the City or Richmond Hill
Finance
- Liaise with the City of Richmond Hill Finance department in the administration of financial services
- Responsible for overall budget in alignment with strategic plan
- Oversee procurement, vendor contracts and grants
- Define departments expectations and targets for operating budgets
- Set criteria and justification of capital projects
- Provide regular financial information to the Board of Directors
Risk Management
- Develop and oversee Risk Management program to inform timely and considered decisions (control, identification, assessment)
- Develop and manage business continuity planning
- Act as privacy officer for the library (MFIPPA)
- Work closely with the City of Richmond Hill
Facility Management
- Oversee the management of the physical spaces and associated infrastructure related to the experiences that customers have within these spaces.
- Lead the operations of each branch to ensure the spaces are modern, safe, welcoming and optimized for service needs, including oversight of space planning and design, building related systems such as access control and alarms, building cleanliness, maintenance and accessibility, health and safety programs, and emergency preparedness in collaboration with internal service partners where necessary to achieve success.
Skills and Experience
- Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or related discipline
- Minimum 10 years’ experience in a senior leadership role
- MLIS or prior experience in a public library environment, or other public sector environment would be an asset
- Political acumen
- Experience with modernizing processes and implementing IT initiatives
- Strong public service orientation and awareness of current social, political, and economic priorities affecting public libraries and municipal governments
- Leading organizational change through strong leadership and people development skills
- Creating a work environment of curiosity, risk taking, and challenging the status quo
- Accomplished in strategic and analytical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making
- Leading the organization in a way that builds and protects a culture of honesty, openness, respect, and trust through open communication
- Required to attend library board meetings outside core business hours
Leadership Competencies
Demonstrates Personal Leadership – Having self-awareness and taking personal responsibility about one’s impact on others and striving for continuous personal growth and development as a leader.
Navigates & Leads Through Complexity & Change – Leads and successfully adapts to internal and external change in a complex public sector environment with multiple stakeholders and competing demands.
Shapes the Future – Anticipates and understands emerging trends and needs, brings vision and strategic direction, and identifies and applies innovative solutions to leave the organization better than when you arrived.
Cultivates Open Communication – Develops, fosters and demonstrates open communication to involve, engage, and inspire others.
Builds People & Culture – Empowers, supports, and invests in staff and corporate culture.