Miami University Libraries is hiring a Head of Special Collections and Archives to provide vision and strategic direction for a department that includes the Walter Havighurst Special Collections, University Archives, and Western College Memorial Archives. You will lead a team responsible for collection development, preservation, public services, and digital initiatives, shaping the department's role in supporting student learning, faculty research, and community engagement.

What You'll Do

Provide visionary leadership for departmental activities, including collection development, preservation, description, digitization, and access to materials in multiple formats.
Cultivate external relationships by partnering with advancement staff to steward donors, secure gifts-in-kind and grants, and manage endowed and restricted funds.
Supervise and support staff, fostering a collaborative and future-focused work environment while guiding professional growth.
Advance teaching and research by integrating primary sources into curricula, supporting instruction, and collaborating with faculty on courses and experiential learning.
Strengthen digital initiatives by developing policies for born-digital materials, web archives, and digital preservation in collaboration with library technology teams.
Increase visibility and impact by developing exhibits, outreach programs, partnerships, and professional engagement.

What We're Looking For

ALA-accredited master’s degree in library and information science or non-U.S. equivalent.
At least five years of progressively responsible experience in special collections or archives in an academic or research library.
Experience building and sustaining collaborative relationships with academic departments, faculty, and campus or community partners.
Record of scholarship and professional achievement appropriate for appointment at the rank of Associate or Principal Librarian.
Knowledge of archival and metadata standards (e.g., MARC, EAD, Dublin Core) and familiarity with tools for managing, preserving, and providing access to analog and born-digital materials.

Nice to Have

Excellent communication, collaboration, and project management skills.
Demonstrated success in supervising and mentoring professional and support staff.
Experience with collection development, preservation planning, archival description, and user services.
Experience in instruction and public programming related to special collections.
Demonstrated success working with advancement staff to cultivate donors, secure gifts-in-kind and financial support, and pursue external funding.
Experience with strategic planning, budgeting, and resource management.
An additional advanced degree in a humanities or related field.
Understanding of the mission of a teaching-focused public university and the role of special collections and archives in advancing student learning, faculty teaching, research, and community engagement.
Ability to articulate a clear vision for the role of special collections and archives in advancing learning, teaching, research, and community engagement.
Knowledge of best practices in special collections and archives, including ethical stewardship of gifts-in-kind, special collections security, and awareness of copyright and intellectual property issues.

Team & Environment

You will be a member of the Libraries’ leadership team, contributing to strategic planning and cross-departmental initiatives, and reporting to the Associate Dean Enterprise Services.

Benefits & Compensation

Associate Librarian salary range: $87,000-$92,000
Principal Librarian salary range: $92,000-$98,000
Benefit Eligible

Work Mode

This position requires onsite work.

Miami University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that encourages applications from protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Miami University prohibits harassment, discrimination and retaliation on the basis of age (40 years or older), color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin (ancestry), pregnancy, race, religion, sex/gender, status as a parent or foster parent, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status.