About the Library

Housed in the Riddell Library and Learning Centre, the University Library is an integral part of the MRU experience. The services, facilities, programming and expertise available in the Library support innovative teaching, learning, and scholarship across campus.

The Library includes the Archives and Special Collections, specialized and technology-enriched teaching and learning spaces including information literacy classrooms, a Maker Studio, audio production rooms and a range of visualization, simulation and immersive spaces.  The Library team consists of approximately 60 employees. The Library values a healthy inclusive workplace, encourages a culture of innovation and teamwork, and provides support for professional development.

About the Role

MRU Library is seeking a Manager, User Services and Engagement to oversee the work of the Library’s Public Services team. Reporting to the Associate Dean Public Services, and working closely with staff and other library leaders, the person in this position provides operational management for in-person and virtual user services, supports and experience, ensuring programs and services are well designed and efficiently deployed to meet the teaching, learning and research needs of students, faculty, staff and community users.

The Manager User Services and Engagement oversees a complicated set of diverse workflows, and supervises approximately 10 direct reports. This fast-paced and dynamic work involves operational management of public service provision across multiple service points, training and assessment of services within the Library, and building and leading a responsive and collaborative team in an environment of rapidly changing technology and information. The Manager oversees the work of 8-15 full time staff both directly and indirectly across a range of service points and services. This includes staff recruitment and development, training, evaluation and supervision. This also includes responsibility for scheduling staff across multiple service points and providing recommendations as to operating hours.

The successful candidate will have excellent communication and collaborative skills and a strong user-centered focus.  They will be experienced in managing staff in the context of a rapidly changing environment. They will be aware of trends in post-secondary teaching and learning, and will be energized by the work of creating and maintaining spaces and supports that inspire creativity and learning.

This position normally works Monday-Friday on-campus and is not hybrid-eligible. Occasional evening and weekend work is required.

Responsibilities

• Planning, operations and administration of unit: Work with AD PS and PS leadership team to set and implement unit goals, priorities, ensure policy and procedures are in place. Collaborate with other managers, supervisors and staff within the Library in the pursuit of inter-unit objectives, initiatives and projects.

• Scheduling: Schedule Public Services and other Library staff to ensure the Service Desk and Public Services is adequately and responsively staffed in order to meet user needs and offer quality support and services to Library users. Engage in ongoing assessment of user demand and foot traffic to inform staffing patterns and provide advice and recommendations on opening hours.

• Staff recruitment, development and management: Recruitment, management, planning and delivery of training and development for Public Services staff as well as training and development for staff from across the Library who work the Service Desk to ensure excellence in public services.  Ensure regular feedback and review.  In alignment with the vision of library senior leadership and under the guidance of the Associate Dean, lead priority-setting and team planning activities.. Manages of staff within the parameters of the collective agreement.

• Service Assessment: ensure ongoing assessment measures for services and are in place for public services, supports and initiatives..

• Work collaboratively with other Library managers and leaders including the assigned faculty member, associate deans, chair and the dean on matters of resource allocation, staffing, and budget planning across the Library

Qualifications 

• Masters Degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) or equivalent

• The candidate should have at least 3-6 years in Public Services work in a library, with at least 4 years in a supervisory or management position in library Public Services

• Academic Library experience is a strong asset

• The Manager must possess a user-focused and results-oriented approach to the management of staff, services and resources in a public services or front-facing library service setting

Salary:                  $109,020.00 - $129,733.00 per annum
Closing Date:       August 15, 2025