Job Posting Title:
John Merritt Associate Director for Research Services, The Harry Ransom Center

Job Requisition ID:
R_00035056

General Notes About the Harry Ransom Center:

The Ransom Center is an internationally renowned humanities research library and museum at The University of Texas at Austin. Its extensive collections provide unique insight into the creative process of writers and artists, deepening our understanding and appreciation of literature, photography, film, art, and the performing arts.  Visitors engage with the Center's collections through research and study, exhibitions, publications, and a rich variety of program offerings including readings, talks, symposia, and film screenings. The Ransom Center encourages discovery, inspires creativity, and advances understanding of the humanities for a broad audience through the preservation and sharing of its extraordinary collections. The Ransom Center welcomes and respects all individuals and communities by valuing and maintaining awareness of under-represented perspectives and experiences. To learn more about our institutional mission and values, visit: https://www.hrc.utexas.edu/about/#mission-values.

Purpose

The John Merritt Associate Director for Research Services reports to the Director and provides leadership and vision for the Ransom Center’s Research Services Division with responsibility for all research operations including Reader Services, Reference, Instruction, and Fellowships (24 FTE).  Serves as a member of the Ransom Center’s senior leadership team.  

NOTE: To ensure your application is given priority consideration, please submit your materials by 9/22/24. Applications received after this date will still be reviewed, but those submitted by the deadline will be given preferential consideration.

Responsibilities

• Develop researcher-centered strategies and policies that foster a rich and productive research experience for more than one thousand onsite researchers a year and a high volume of virtual reference queries.
• Provides strategic leadership for an active program of instruction with rare and unique primary source materials that serves the pedagogical goals of our faculty and enriches the student experience.
• In collaboration with the Fellowship Coordinator, design and manage a fellowship program which awards approximately 50 competitive fellowships a year that support onsite use of the Center’s distinctive collections.
• Cultivate a culture of innovation and continuous improvement and advance the growth and professional development of the Research Services staff, graduate student assistants, and undergraduate interns.  Collect and track key metrics for ongoing assessment of teaching and research impacts.  Participate in national professional associations and continuing education and remain current in research services best practices.
• Serves on the Ransom Center’s senior leadership team and works collaboratively with the Director, with four Associate Directors (Division of Technical & Digital Collections, Exhibitions & Public Programs, Preservation & Conservation, Curatorial Affairs), and the Finance Manager, Human Resources Manager, Chief Development Officer, Head of Marketing & Communications, and the Facilities Manager to manage resources and advance institutional strategic goals.
• Other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• ALA-Accredited master’s degree in library or information science.
• Four or more years of successful leadership experience in reference and instruction within a university or independent research library, special collections department, archive, or museum.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Successful record of collaboration in a team environment.
• Service oriented with a demonstrated commitment to access and to collection care.
• Knowledge of current theory and best practices in library and archival research services.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D in one of the Ransom Center’s areas of collection strength (e.g. literature, theatre and performing arts, film, photography, or art).
• A second language (French or Spanish preferred).
• Experience with collection management systems (e.g. TMS or Qi) and Aeon.

Salary Range

$82,000.00+ depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions.
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
• Use of manual dexterity.
• Lifting and moving.

Work Shift

• Regular M-F work shift with occasional Saturday and evening hours required.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

For further information and to apply for the position, please see the full job posting: https://utaustin.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UTstaff/job/UT-MAIN-CAMPUS/John-Merritt-Associate-Director-for-Research-Services--The-Harry-Ransom-Center_R_00035056

About The University of Texas at Austin, The Harry Ransom Center

The Harry Ransom Center is an internationally renowned humanities research library and museum at The University of Texas at Austin. Its extensive collections provide unique insight into the creative process of writers and artists, deepening our understanding and appreciation of literature, photography, film, art, and the performing arts. Visitors engage with the Center's collections through research and study, exhibitions, publications, and a rich variety of program offerings including readings, talks, symposia, and film screenings. The Ransom Center encourages discovery, inspires creativity, and advances understanding of the humanities for a broad audience through the preservation and sharing of its extraordinary collections.

Connections working at The University of Texas at Austin, The Harry Ransom Center