Associate Dean of Libraries and Information Resources

Salary/Position Classification

• $113,000- $117,200+ annual, Exempt
• This position will work onsite the Grand Forks, ND campus.

Purpose of Position

The Associate Dean of Libraries and Information Resources reports directly to the Dean of Libraries and Information Resources at the University of North Dakota. Under the administrative direction of the Dean, the Associate Dean advances the Library’s vision, mission, and strategic plan through innovative change management and collaborative leadership.

Working closely with the Dean and department heads, the Associate Dean helps execute an ambitious strategy to position the University of North Dakota Libraries as a premier academic library system in North America through organizational transformation, innovation, and forward-thinking practices. This role serves as a visible and influential leader within the Libraries, across campus, throughout the state, and nationally—positively representing UND, its Libraries, and their forward-looking vision.

The Associate Dean engages in fundraising and grant writing, contributes to national and international service and professional engagement, and maintains strong awareness of emerging trends and best practices among leading academic libraries. The position plays a central role in mentoring, coaching, and developing department heads and emerging leaders through comprehensive leadership development initiatives. In addition, the Associate Dean fosters strong faculty and staff collaboration across the UND Libraries, the broader university community, and the system.

The Associate Dean serves as a transformational change leader who champions innovation, strengthens collaborative partnerships, and cultivates a culture of continuous learning, assessment, and adaptation.

Duties & Responsibilities

Chester Fritz Library Management/Administration

• Partner with the Libraries Dean in the overall leadership and administration of the University Library.
• Collaborate with the Dean and department heads to execute a strategy positioning UND Libraries as a premier research library in North America.
• Serve on the Library’s leadership team, contributing to policy development, planning, problem-solving, and decision-making.
• Lead and support strategic planning, long-range visioning, and organizational transformation initiatives.
• Participate in budget planning and resource allocation aligned with strategic priorities.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with campus libraries and external partners to ensure seamless services and collaborative initiatives.
• Lead and manage complex, cross-functional projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Provide leadership in innovation, workflow analysis, and process design to align operations with institutional goals and research library best practices.
• Promote a robust service model with strong staffing, effective outreach, and a culture of assessment and data-informed decision-making.
• Engage in fundraising, donor relations, and grant development to support collections, programs, technology, spaces, and services.
• Ensure compliance with university policies while fostering an innovative, supportive, and collaborative work environment.

Mentoring, Professional Growth, and Leadership Development

In partnership with the Library Dean and department heads:

• Lead a comprehensive mentoring and coaching framework that builds leadership capacity across all levels.
• Mentor direct reports and establish consistent professional development expectations across departments.
• Facilitate professional growth through coaching, skill-building workshops, cross-training, and succession planning.
• Establish regular performance conversations focused on strengths, career development, and organizational excellence.
• Model and train supervisors in effective mentoring, coaching, and conflict resolution practices.
• Collaborate with HR and campus partners on recruitment, retention, and professional development initiatives.
• Foster a culture of trust, collaboration, and high team performance. 

25% - Collaborative Partnerships and Strategic Team Leadership

In partnership with the Library Dean and department heads:

• Build and strengthen collaborative relationships across campus to advance student success and faculty excellence.
• Lead cross-unit and cross-institutional initiatives that advance innovation and best practices.
• Partner with academic, student services, and technology units to develop integrated, user-centered services.
• Represent UND Libraries in regional, national, and international partnerships and professional networks.
• Develop team-based approac