Head of Research Services

ABOUT THE POSITION:

Reporting to the Director of Research, Teaching, & User Services (RTUS), this position offers an exciting opportunity for a librarian to supervise and coordinate the core work of Subject Librarians including research support services and collection development. In collaboration with the Head of Information Literacy and Student Engagement and the Head of User Services, the Head of Research Services will be part of the RTUS leadership team and will provide input to the Director on issues, initiatives, and projects that affect the division's units. This position will work closely with colleagues in collection development to coordinate the collection development work of Subject Librarians and with peers in RTUS to design and administer user centered service models for delivering high quality general research and instructional support, both online and in-person. This includes regular assessment and experimentation in order to ensure continuous improvement. The successful candidate in this position has the opportunity to bring their vision, creativity, and organizational skills to enhance the collections and services offered by The Claremont Colleges Library.

• Priority Deadline: The deadline for first consideration is September 11, 2026.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

40% of Time: Research Support Services Leadership

• Coordinates and assesses the division’s research and reference service models.

• Working closely with the division’s Director and the Head of Information Literacy and Student Engagement (HILSE), explores the division’s research support service models with the goal to ensure high quality and user centered approaches.

• Working closely with the division’s leadership team, creates training and documentation for the Library’s tiered reference services provided by staff and student assistants.

• Working with the division’s Director, and other stakeholders within the Library, investigates, and implements, best practices in scholarly communications outreach mechanisms as well as best practices in the creation of public guides and instructional information to facilitate the development of Open Educational Resources (OERs).

• Works with colleagues across the Library to support public-facing scholarly communications outreach and information-sharing related to copyright and open access initiatives. Builds upon Copyright First Responders training received by Subject Librarians.

• Works with colleagues in public services across the Library to build capacity among Subject and Teaching Librarians on topics related to digital scholarship, artificial intelligence (AI), data services, and primary source literacy.

• Maintains awareness of best practices and emerging trends and approaches related to research support services in academic libraries.

25% of Time: Collection Development Leadership

• In collaboration with the Head of Collection Management, oversees and coordinates the Subject Librarians’ activities related to the selection of new materials for acquisition and relevant collection management projects to ensure the Library has a current, well-rounded, and diverse collection that supports the curriculum and research conducted at The Claremont Colleges.

• Maintains awareness of emerging approaches, innovations, and research related to collection development in academic libraries, such as: streaming media resources, e-book licenses, demand driven and evidence-based acquisitions, diversification of collections, and assessment of collections.

• Provides content to the Library’s Associate Director for Communications regarding the unit’s collections-based projects and collaborates on public outreach messaging Identifies, recommends and collaboratively creates policies, procedures, and workflows aimed at creating a more streamlined and efficient collection management workload for Subject Librarians.

• Fosters excellent communication and effective working relationships with colleagues across the Library in regards to collections related issues.

30% of Time: Unit Leadership

• Ensures the unit supports the subjects taught by the Colleges, including equitably distributing subjects across Subject Librarians and staying abreast of emerging disciplines across the seven institutions of the Claremont Colleges (7Cs).

• Collaborates with division leadership on issues, initiatives, and projects that affect the units in Research, Teaching & User Services.

• Works closely with division leadership to support subject librarians in developing a scaffolded and sustainable approach to their subject instruction efforts.

• Guides subject librarians in implementing best practices for communication and outreach with subject faculty.

• Organizes and supports Community of Practice meetings among Subject Librarians in order for unit members to learn and share information relevant to their unique work.

• Collaborates with division leadership on the assessment of the division’s work, in order to evaluate existing initiatives, and visioning new strategic pathways.

• Stays abreast of best practices related to subject/liaison librarianship and introduces new ideas and approaches as relevant.

• Participates in library-wide planning and assessment projects through service on committees, task forces, and special projects.

• Actively engages in networking and professional development through national/regional/local organizations through committee work, office-holding, presentations, publications, etc.

5% of Time: Graduate Outreach Leadership

• In consultation with outreach colleagues, and relevant Subject Librarians, stays up to date and organizes the general outreach to the graduate colleges.

• Designs streamlined processes and workflows for conducting graduate outreach and recruits relevant volunteers to participate in graduate outreach events

• Maintains awareness of best practices in conducting graduate outreach and introduces creative ideas and approaches to engage new students.

• Collaborates with the Director of RTUS and the Associate Dean for Operations and Strategy to assess the impact of library services and resources for the graduate colleges’ communities.

•  Perform other related duties and projects as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Number of direct reports: 8

• Titles of direct reports: Interdisciplinary Studies Librarian (1); Arts & Humanities Librarian (3); Social Sciences Librarian (2); STEM Librarian (2).

• Recruit, select, train, evaluate, and develop staff.

• Clearly communicate job requirements and expectations.

• Coordinate training and resources to support the performance of work duties.

• Provide ongoing coaching that is balanced, helpful, timely, and contributes to a work environment of open communication, ownership of duties, and trust.

• Address performance issues early, create appropriate documentation, and ensure follow through. Collaborate with Human Resources as needed.

• Complete annual written performance reviews.

QUALIFICATIONS

Unless otherwise stated, the following qualifications are required to perform the essential functions of this position, or the individual must demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed (with or without reasonable accommodation) using other qualifications not listed below.

Education/Training: MLIS from an ALA accredited program or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience:

• Three (3) years of professional experience in an academic library, with demonstrated evidence of success and increased responsibility.

• One (1) year of experience supervising staff (e.g., full time staff and/or librarians), including training and performance management.

• Experience supporting one or more subject areas in an academic library.

• Experience with teaching and assessing student learning.

Competencies:

• Understanding of how digital literacy, AI literacy and scholarly communications intersect with, complement, and extend Information Literacy instruction (ILI) concepts, practices, and dispositions. 

• Adaptable, flexible, and proactive in dealing with evolving library and campus priorities, which may require taking on new/varied subject area responsibilities.

• Interest in experimenting with new modes of instruction, assessment, and research support services.

• Knowledge of current academic library trends and in particular information literacy approaches, frameworks, and pedagogy.

• Exemplary emotional intelligence and diplomacy skills when working with colleagues and users.

• Demonstrated leadership skills, including creative problem-solving skills, and a strong commitment to service excellence.

• Dedication to providing responsive user-centered public services.

• Understanding and engagement with collection development topics, issues, and trends

• Demonstrated skills in promoting teamwork and collegiality among colleagues.

• Effective planning, organizational, and time management skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Capacity for working independently to set priorities.

• Commitment to ongoing professional development and personal leadership growth.

Preferred Experience:

• Three (3) years of experience working in an academic library with increasing levels of responsibility.

• Supervisory experience within an academic library.

• Experience with collective bargaining units.

• Experience with the back end of Integrated Library Systems with an understanding of the functions for loan rules and use data

Physical Requirements:

• This position primarily performs work in an office environment and requires the ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods while working at a computer.  

• The role involves frequent use of a computer, keyboard, mouse, and other standard office equipment, as well as repetitive hand and wrist movements. 

• The position requires the ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, video conference, and electronic communication; read and interpret printed and electronic documents; and exchange accurate information with employees, supervisors, and external partners. 

• Occasional standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling materials weighing up to 15 pounds may be required, such as files, office supplies, or computer equipment. 

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. 

Work Schedule: The regular hours for this full-time position are 40 hours scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday for 12 months annually. May be required to work holiday, weekend, and/or evening hours. Regular hours may vary due to the needs of the organization or business unit. This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule to work partial hours remotely as approved by the supervisor.

COMPENSATION

Pay: The pay rate for this position is competitive and commensurate with the duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required for the position, between $7,125 and $7,600 per month.

Benefits: This position is eligible for our employment benefits package including:

• medical, dental, vision,

• 10% retirement contributions after one year (no matching required),

• group life insurance,

• generous time off,

• professional development funds,

• discounts for mobile plans, software, and entertainment,

• access to fitness facilities,

• and more!

Disclaimer:

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. When duties and responsibilities change and develop, The Claremont Colleges Services will review this job description and make changes of business necessity. TCCS reserves the right to modify job duties or assign additional duties as needed.

ADA/OSHA:

This job description defines the essential job duties of this position. The Claremont Colleges Services expects that employees hired for this position can perform the essential functions of this job without imposing risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others. It may also include marginal functions, generally defined within Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Equal Opportunity Employer:

TCCS is an equal opportunity employer. TCCS managers make employment decisions on the basis of merit, with the aim of having the best available person in every job. TCCS prohibits discrimination based on all characteristics protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance or regulation. TCCS also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of these characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of these characteristics. All such discrimination is unlawful.