Associate Director for Library Services

Harry Ransom Center, The University of Texas at Austin

The Harry Ransom Center seeks a strategic, collaborative, and communicative leader to serve as its Associate Director for Library Services.

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. The Center is a destination for humanities scholarship, supporting thousands of onsite and remote researchers from around the world each year. The Center has a full-time staff of more than 80, and the extensive Library Services department includes Metadata & Discovery, Collection Management, Technology & Database Administration, Digital Projects, Digital Imaging, Reference, and Public Services units. The Ransom Center—and the entire Library Services team—encourages discovery, inspires creativity, and advances understanding of the humanities for a broad audience through the preservation and sharing of its extraordinary collections. 

The Associate Director for Library Services is responsible for setting vision, priorities, and long-term direction for how collections are described, accessed, and stored—ensuring that library programs and services are aligned with institutional goals, sustainable over time, and responsive to evolving research and public needs. The Associate Director primarily leads at the portfolio level, with day-to-day operations led by the Heads of each unit. As a member of the senior leadership team, the Associate Director collaborates closely with other key leadership positions across the institution, communicates effectively with all colleagues, and advocates for the needs of both the Library Services team and the Ransom Center more broadly.   

Required qualifications for this position include an advanced degree in library and information science, archival studies, museum studies, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; significant senior-level leadership experience in a research library and archive; demonstrated experience leading complex portfolios that include collections, access and reader services, and digital programs; a strong record of strategic planning, organizational leadership, and change management; and a demonstrated ability to lead through influence, build trust across disciplines, and navigate highly specialized professional environments.

Salary range: $100,000+, depending upon qualifications.

The committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and will continue until the position is filled. For full consideration applications should be submitted promptly. 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/Associate-Director-for-Library-Services--The-Harry-Ransom-Center_R_00045843

About 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 Harry Ransom Center