Chief Operating Officer - Public Services

Description

The Chief Operating Officer of Public Services leads public service delivery across all Howard County Library System (HCLS) branches and provides direction to those responsible for curriculum and classes systemwide. 

We are seeking a strategic, progressive, and seasoned leader with a demonstrated record of guiding the delivery of high-quality, equitable, and inclusive educational initiatives. You embrace community-led work, welcome new challenges, are adept in leadership development, and are eager to partner with executive leaders to spearhead a culture of collaboration, connectedness, and accountability. 

You will serve as a representative of the President & CEO, requiring sound, yet quick thinking, humility, maturity, and situational sensitivity.

You create and maintain an environment of inclusion, diversity, and respect for team members. Whether working directly with customers or behind the scenes, our remarkable team is committed to education that aids in a more equitable and just society for all people.

We offer a friendly, collaborative work environment and a generous benefits package including 14 paid holidays and your birthday off. Interested in joining our team?

RESPONSIBILITY 

• Lives our strategic plan, positioning HCLS as the community’s place to learn, grow, and connect, while empowering all people to reach their potential. 
• Contributes to achieving HCLS’ racial and social equity goals. Please view the Brave Voices, Brave Choices initiative
• Effectively lives the values of HCLS’ strategic plan (Community, Learning, Equity, Intellectual Freedom, Teamwork), motivating others to do so as well 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

Examples of duties, responsibilities, and specific areas of oversight include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Leads and directs the development and implementation of departmental goals, policies and annual work plans; manages the allocation of resources and service levels for optimal customer service
• Provides leadership development, mentoring, and coaching to managers and staff
• Monitors the departmental structure, staff assignments, service levels and administrative systems required to accomplish HCLS’ mission and objectives in an effective and efficient manner; directs the identification and analysis of opportunities for service enhancements
• Oversees the operation of departmental initiatives, functions, and activities; sets objectives and monitors the performance of subordinate staff engaged in defined activities
• Directs the development and implementation of the operational budget; monitors expenditures to ensure adherence to the approved budget
• Seeks and initiates opportunities to partner with community leaders to increase HCLS’ presence in the community 
• Develops the systemwide approach for the delivery of children’s, teen, and adult classes and events 
• Ensures staff analyze curriculum offerings and the customer experience, and use that data to improve future offerings, customer engagement and outcomes
• Strategic institutional planning and project management. The ability to plan and communicate decisions clearly; to know when consensus is beneficial and when to drive decisions
• Performs a lead role in strategic planning, system-wide projects, and events
• Fosters collaborative and positive working relationships and encourages creativity 
• Creates instruments to monitor and ensure team performance exceeds customer expectations, addresses issues in a timely manner
• Represents HCLS on miscellaneous committees and boards and at countywide events, understanding such representation plays a major role in engaging the community and raising the visibility and value of HCLS
• Presents in the community, and at state and national conferences 
• Performs other duties as assigned 

Requirements

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS 

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Education, Library and Information Science, Public or Business Administration, or a closely related field
• Eight years increasingly responsible managerial experience
• Skilled in change management, facilitation, and leadership development
• Strong history of motivating high performance, coaching, developing, mentoring and empowering managers in a decisive, professional, and diplomatic way
• Knowledge and experience with principles and practi