Director of Engagement, Outreach, and Community Partnerships (UL455) – University of MN Twin Cities

Reporting to the Associate University Librarian for Student Success, the Director of Engagement, Outreach, and Community Partnerships provides leadership and programmatic direction in the University Libraries’ Student Success Service Area. In the service of students and with the aim of contributing to students’ sense of belonging and mattering, the Director will cultivate environments and learning that demonstrates and validates their ways of knowing and sense of agency. Through the newly imagined Student Success Service Area (SSSA), the Director will broaden conventional definitions and applications to outreach, engagement, and innovation by situating student-centered approaches to our services. This person will leverage the human and material resources of the SSSA to create partnerships across the departments and across the Research and Collection & Content Service Areas. In addition to working across departments and service areas, the Director will also facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations to help students understand pathways to advocating and supporting their communities.

Summary

The Director of Engagement, Outreach, and Community Partnerships builds relationships internally with faculty and staff, as well as with both academic and non-academic departments across campus to raise awareness about the various ways that the library can serve as an essential partner in facilitating the success of our diverse body of students. Since students’ communities are key to their development and success in their educational endeavors, the Director of Engagement, Outreach, and Community Partnerships will acknowledge their community cultural wealth through intentional engagement (programmatic, research instruction, workshops, etc.) on campus and the surrounding local communities. Partnerships may include postsecondary educational institutions, libraries, grassroot organizations, as well as corporate entities to show a public-facing strategy that shares expertise with local communities and demonstrate the range of technologies in creating solutions for our communities.

As a department that manages a variety of technology spaces in multiple libraries, the Director will lead programmatic development in the makerspaces (2), virtual reality studio (1), and 1-button studios (4). The Director will also lead the department in adoption of emerging technologies, maintenance of existing equipment and licenses, selection of software and collections, and creation of policies and procedures on the use of collections, equipment, and spaces.

Responsibilities

Programmatic Development and Leadership (35%)

• Provide leadership and programmatic direction to enable interdisciplinary collaborations using tech spaces in Walter, Health Sciences, Wilson, and Magrath libraries.
• Develops effective relationships with relevant campus offices, centers, and academic programs through systematic outreach to promote services, identify opportunities for partnership, and highlight the capabilities of the University Libraries.
• Support user access to and use of new technologies through programming, consultations and the development of in-person and online training.
• Assesses user needs, including trends in academic teaching and research programs, to develop and maintain relevant, high-quality services and to design attractive, functional spaces that facilitate teaching, learning and research.
• Develops and facilitates events and educational programs that offer users the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of emerging technologies and social innovation and engage with others from across campus.
• Leverages established networks to refer users to technologies available elsewhere on campus as appropriate.

Outreach, Community Engagement, and Management (35%)

• Develop the plan for outreach activities and develops and implements activities to meet strategic plan goals for outreach and community partnerships.
• Engage the campus and local communities interested in working with emerging technologies to identify collaborators and needs that the Libraries could help address.
• Build and maintain relationships and partnerships with community members, organizations, businesses, government officials, and other entities.
• Connect with underrepresented students to gain a more expansive understanding of student needs and challenges, and enable services and resources to address the opportunity gap.

Management and Supervision (25%)

• Coordinates overall operational activities of the department, facilitating relationships with other groups in the Libraries, evaluating needs and processes, managing human and material resources, and implementing policies and procedures.
• Provide direct supervision of staff within the department. Writes position descriptions, hires, assigns job responsibilities, and conducts performance evaluations.
• Coaches and mentors staff, providing guidance and support for their professional development to cultivate the skills and perspectives necessary to be successful.
• Manage and forecast the needs for collections, equipment, spaces, and instructional needs for the department.

Other duties as assigned (5%)

Salary: This is a full-time, 12-month, annual renewable administrative appointment.  The salary minimum for this position is $78,500 depending on qualifications. 

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree (e.g., Social Sciences, Education, etc.) and eight or more years of related experience or master’s degree in related field and six or more years of related experience.
• Exemplary leadership and communication.
• Demonstrated experience providing strategic vision and leadership in coordinating outreach efforts and leading in intentional design of programming and partnerships.
• Demonstrate the commitment to effectively work with and engage a diverse student population with special focus on Black, American Indian, Southeast Asian, Latino, Pacific Islander, and Asian International students.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and lead effectively in a team environment.

Preferred:

• Master’s Degree (e.g., Library Science, Social Sciences, Higher Education, etc.).
• Evidence of cultivating relationships with faculty, students, staff, and community members to encourage collaborative partnerships.
• Experience managing a variety of staff to include supervisors, staff, and student-workers.
• Demonstrated experience in mentoring employees.

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you’ll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning.  We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Scholarship
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services 
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

Applications must be submitted online.  To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.  You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Please attach the following documents in Word or PDF Format:  (DO NOT copy and paste.)

• Resume.  
• Cover Letter (identify cover letter with UL455).  
• Names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three current references. 

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your “My Activities” page and uploading documents there.  Review of applications begins immediately.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission.  The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  To learn more about diversity at the U:  http://diversity.umn.edu.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

Please note: All employees at the University of Minnesota are required to comply with the University’s Administrative Policy: COVID-19 Vaccination and Safety Protocol by either providing proof of being fully vaccinated on their first day of employment, or complete a request for an exemption for medical exemption or religious reasons. To learn more please visit:  https://safe-campus.umn.edu/return-campus/get-the-vax

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation’s most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.