Head, Resource Acquisition, Management and Metadata

Simon Fraser University Library invites applications for the full-time continuing position of the Head of the Resource Acquisition, Management and Metadata (RAMM) Division.

Reporting to the Associate Dean of Libraries, Collections and Content Strategy, this position provides leadership and vision for the Division including managing and supporting creative approaches for its work. The Head manages all activities in Acquisitions, Metadata, and Electronic Resources Management. This includes overseeing ordering, invoicing and receiving, cataloging of materials in all formats, guiding metadata standards and practices, physical processing of materials, and management of continuing resources.

The Division Head works collaboratively and advances ongoing relationships with most areas of the Library, especially Collections Management, Liaison Librarians, Access Services, InterLibrary Loans, Special Collections and Rare Books, Digital Library Services, Belzberg Library and Fraser Library, as well as University Payment Services and external vendors. The Division Head supervises three (3) professional librarians and eleven (11) library assistants.

This position will appeal to highly analytical and collaborative individuals with excellent communication skills, leadership skills, and a user-centered focus. The Division Head will be energized by advancing change within a large, collegial organization, and prepared to contribute to the Library and University within the context of SFU’s governance structures.

SFU recognizes that alternative career paths and/or career interruptions (e.g. parental leave, leave due to illness) can impact career trajectory and commits to ensuring that leaves are taken into careful consideration. Candidates are encouraged to highlight in their application how alternative paths and/or interruptions may have impacted them.

SETTING  

We acknowledge the  xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), qiqéyt (Qayqayt), qʼʷa:n̓ƛʼən̓ (Kwantlen), Səmyámə (Semiahmoo), and sc̓əwaθən (Tsawwassen) Nations, on whose traditional territories Simon Fraser University's three campuses stand. By recognizing the Unceded Traditional Coast Salish territories, we aspire to create space for reconciliation through dialogue and decolonizing practices.

Ranked by respected national surveys as one of Canada’s top three comprehensive universities for the past 20 years, Simon Fraser University has also been consistently named one of British Columbia’s Top Employers in recent years, as well as one of Canada’s Top 100 employers, and one of Canada's top family-friendly employers. SFU offers more than 100 undergraduate major and joint major programs and more than 75 graduate offerings, spanning many disciplines in eight faculties, and has an international reputation for its innovative interdisciplinary and professional programs. The main W.A.C. Bennett Library is located on the Burnaby campus, while the Samuel and Frances Belzberg Library is on the Vancouver campus, and Fraser Library is at SFU Surrey.

The SFU Library is known for the development and implementation of innovative technology, leadership in Open Access, and excellent in-person and online user services. We serve an ethnically diverse student population, most of whom live off-campus and work part-time while attending university. SFU Library collaborates broadly with other institutions through membership in the Canadian Association of Research Libraries, the Association of Research Libraries, and regional consortia. For more information, see our web site at https://www.lib.sfu.ca.

The SFU Library commits to a continuous process of transformation to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion to serve the cause of social justice. SFU Library’s Commitment to Equity, Accessibility, and Belonging provides more information.

ASSIGNMENT

• Advance the values and goals outlined in the Academic Plan: Library;
• Incorporate SFU Library’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and decolonial practices into all planning and activities;
• Provide leadership, expertise, and management for the Division by planning, coordinating, implementing and evaluating services and projects, and provide administrative oversight for staff in the Division consisting of 3 professional librarians (Acquisitions, Metadata, and Electronic Resources) and 11 support staff;
• Collaborate with colleagues in other divisions and branches to ensure that library collections are discoverable and accessible (e.g. Digital Library Services), and that services are meeting library- wide needs (e.g. Liaisons/Learning & Engagement, InterLibrary Loans, Access Services, Special Collections and Rare Books, Collections Management);
• Oversee, develop, and enhance effective, timely, and standardized work processes, policies, and procedures to provide high-quality and responsive service;
• Manage relationships with external providers, including publishers, vendors, content providers, and technology suppliers;
• Keep abreast of emerging trends, innovations and best practices in acquisitions, serials, e-resources management, metadata schemas, and linked data;
• Oversee coordination and administration of the acquisitions, resource management, and metadata functions within the library management system and other content management systems;
• Oversee and administer a Divisional budget and, in collaboration with Associate Dean of Libraries, Collections and Content Strategy, assist in tracking overall Collections budget;
• Foster open communication within the Division, document decisions and discussions as appropriate and share information on behalf of the larger organization to foster staff engagement;
• Create an environment that supports staff professional development and encourages staff growth, and advocate for resources as needed to position the Division for success;
• Oversee and identify training and instruction needs of staff with a full spectrum of learning styles and skill levels;
• Participate as a member of the Strategic Advisory Leadership Team;
• Participate in Library and University committees and task groups;
• Other librarian duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

While the search committee recognizes that no one candidate is likely to meet all the qualifications in equal measure, the following qualifications will be used in the assessment of candidates for the position.

• Master's degree in Library or Information Studies from an ALA accredited program, or its equivalent;
• A minimum of 5 years professional library experience, with increasing leadership responsibilities, including a minimum of 1 year coordinating and overseeing the work of others in a unionized environment;
• Experience with a library management system, preferably Alma, including functions in acquisitions, cataloguing, serials, and electronic resources management;
• Experience working with library material vendors and consortial purchasing;
• Experience with creating and evaluating policies, procedures and workflows;
• Experience with, or knowledge of, managing library budgets;
• Knowledge of current and emerging trends, innovations, and best practices in acquisitions, serials, e-resources management, metadata schemas (MARC21, RDA, BIBFRAME, etc.) and linked data;
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to work in a complex environment by establishing priorities and maintaining a balance between short and long-term goals;
• Commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and decolonization in operational work, with an interest in supporting social justice and Indigenous initiatives;
• Excellent interpersonal and intercultural communication skills, both orally and written.  These skills include but are not limited to strong listening skills, a collaborative approach, and the curiosity and willingness to ask questions;
• Ability to recognize, respect and work effectively with individuals and groups with diverse perspectives and backgrounds;
• Ability to support the training of staff in an environment of continual transition;
• Excellent problem-solving skills.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

This is a full-time continuing Library Division Head position, with an anticipated start date of March 1, 2027.

Librarians and Division Heads are members of the SFU Faculty Association. Terms, conditions and benefits of employment are outlined in the Collective Agreement:
https://www.sfu.ca/faculty-relations/collectiveagreement.html

The successful applicant will be appointed at a Division Head rank, and their salary level will be commensurate with their experience and qualifications. For more information about eligibility and requirements for appointment at Division Head rank, please see SFU/SFUFA Collective Agreement Article Art 36.26 – 36.28. Faculty salaries at SFU are based on the salary scales bargained between the University and the SFU Faculty Association. A reasonable estimate of the salary range at the Division Head rank is $123,782 to $149,225 (dependent on experience).

Current salary scales are available from: https://www.sfu.ca/faculty-relations/salary.html

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. SFU is an equity employer and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, Indigenous Peoples, racialized persons, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the University.

If you have questions in advance of applying, please send an email to library@sfu.ca.

Personal information that forms part of an application is collected under the general authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, applicable University Policies, and the SFUFA/SFU Collective Agreement. For further details see the full Collection Notice on the Current Openings webpage.

Information about what to expect when you apply for a librarian position at SFU is available here: https://www.lib.sfu.ca/about/overview/employment/what-expect-librarian-position