Associate Dean, Research & Collections, Library
Primary Purpose
Joining the organization at a pivotal time as it implements a new strategic plan, the Associate Dean, Research & Collections has the opportunity to shape how the University Library navigates the complex scholarly communications landscape at the University of Saskatchewan. Driven by the principles of Open Access and Open Scholarship, this position is responsible for areas including: research support services (such as research data management, data/GIS, digital humanities); oversight of the $16M acquisitions budget to build impactful physical and digital collections; collections services; special collections and the university’s archives; library systems, discovery, and access. Serving as the liaison to the Information and Communications Technology group assigned to the Library, the incumbent establishes the organization’s needs and priorities.
This position serves as a member of the Library’s senior leadership team, working in close collaboration to advise the dean and advance the Library’s goals. Helping to shape a positive and inclusive organizational culture where employees feel valued and empowered to bring about change in service to our faculty and students, the incumbent cultivates an environment where everyone can succeed. The portfolio includes ensuring strategic and administrative effectiveness of multiple programs and activities in the Research Services, Collections and Discovery, and University Archives and Special Collections Divisions. The incumbent will also have responsibility for advancing a supportive environment for faculty librarians as they pursue research endeavors.
Nature of Work
Associate Deans are empowered to think boldly and creatively about how library initiatives advance the broader campus vision. The Associate Dean, Research & Collections is expected to build relationships and cultivate partnerships across the University Library and throughout the campus, positioning the Library as an essential collaborator in advancing research. Expected to lead strategic projects (including capital planning projects), and ensure progress on key initiatives, this position works collaboratively with other colleges and administrative units to advocate for and enhance the capacity and quality of library services and collections. Working in a community of diverse partners, the incumbent must demonstrate awareness of and commitment to Indigenization and decolonization, equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and anti-racism. Success requires taking a proactive approach to identifying and scoping key services, collaborations with campus partners, and coaching and mentoring employees. The portfolio includes administrative oversight of select faculty direct reports, with employees consisting of both faculty and staff – and a total complement of ~40 employees. The Associate Dean will serve as the Dean’s delegate for important functions such as representing the University Library on relevant university committees.
The Associate Dean contributes to collegial processes, including Assignment of Duties, annual review, as well as librarian onboarding. An out-of-scope faculty position, it is expected that the Associate Dean will allocate approximately 75% of their time to the Associate Dean, Research & Collections portfolio, and 25% to ongoing individual academic and research activities.
Accountabilities for Associate Deans
Organizational Leadership
- Together with the Dean and senior leadership team, develops and executes a shared vision and strategic direction for the University Library, that aligns with the university’s institutional strategies.
- Works collaboratively with other leadership team members to ensure cross-division alignment and success grounded in a positive and inclusive organizational culture.
- Upholds commitments to and makes decisions in alignment with Indigenization and Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Anti-Racism frameworks.
- Regularly assesses workforce needs to ensure alignment with strategic plan and organization’s priorities and actively develop employees.
- Proactively and regularly scans the internal environment to identify opportunities for operational effectiveness in library functions, specifically in-person and online services, and is responsible for implementation.
- Develops relationships and partnerships with other academic and administrative units across campus to advance shared goals.
Research & Collections Portfolio Leadership
- Sets the vision and strategic direction of the Research & Collections portfolio, including a programmatic approach managing the acquisition’s budget, delivering in-person and online research services, and campus and community engagement, in alignment with broader organization and campus priorities.
- Applying a people-centred leadership approach, prioritizes visibility and engagement with units and builds relationships to advance the portfolio’s impact.
- Together with the portfolio’s managers, determines annual goals, accountabilities, and assessment metrics.
- Provides mentorship and coaching to grow leadership capacity and experience of team members.
Financial Management
- Responsible for managing the portfolio’s budget, and ensuring sustainable stewardship of fiscal resources, which include institutional and operations funds, and select endowments and donor funds.
- Together with managers in the portfolio and in consultation with the Dean and the Library’s Finance-SBA, determines collections strategy and resource allocation.
- Contributes to Provincial and campus reporting requirements, specifically those associated with targeted funding that support Saskatchewan Health Information Resources Program and Health Human Resources.
Risk Management
- Contribute to the identification, assessment, and management of risks into the planning processes for the University Library.
- Communicate and ensure compliance with University policies, federal and provincial laws and regulations, and collective agreements.
Commitment to Institutional Competencies
- Engage: Commit to advancing the aspirations of the people of the university, the province, and beyond
- Include: Build a welcoming and accessible place where diverse students, faculty, and staff feel a sense of belonging
- Collaborate: Intentionally seek relationships across teams, disciplines, and capacities to achieve results
- Advocate: Develop and support each other, innovative ideas, and Indigenous knowledge in pursuit of the university’s strategic priorities.
Education and Experience
- An ALA-accredited Master of Library and Information Science degree or international equivalent, with a minimum of five years of progressively responsible leadership and management experience in libraries, archives, or comparable academic or cultural organizations.
- Evidence of strategic leadership capacity, including experience guiding organizational change, decisive decision-making, and aligning local priorities with broader institutional and academic goals.
- Proven experience leading people and teams, with a strong commitment to employee development, and creating conditions that enable shared leadership and foster cross-unit collaboration.
- Evidence of a strong research record.
- Demonstrated experience managing budgets, including experience with budget development and oversight and resource allocation.
- Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with key partners, such as faculty, students, administrators, vendors, and community members to advance services and meet partner needs.
- Excellent listening, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to balance the needs of individual units or disciplines while advancing collective priorities.
Salary
Salary will be dependent on qualifications and rank appointment. The anticipated hiring range is $165,000-$190,000, which includes an administrative stipend.
This position includes a comprehensive benefits package: dental, health and extended vision care plan; pension plan, life insurance (compulsory and voluntary), academic long term disability, sick leave, travel insurance, death benefits, an employee assistance program, a professional expense allowance, and a flexible health and wellness spending program.
Interested candidates must submit, via email and preferably as a single PDF, a cover letter highlighting qualifications and accomplishments, and a detailed curriculum vitae to:
Lori Birrell
University Librarian and Dean
University Library, University of Saskatchewan
Email: library.jobs@usask.ca
Due to federal immigration requirements, we also ask candidates to indicate whether they are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or are otherwise already authorized to work at this position for the duration of the appointment, with an explanation if this last category is indicated.
The review of applications will begin on December 7, 2026. Applications received after this date will not be considered. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2027.
About Saskatoon
Saskatoon is situated along the banks of the South Saskatchewan River, on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. Saskatoon is a vibrant, livable city known for its natural beauty, friendly community, and diverse cultural and leisure offerings. Although Saskatoon is the largest urban centre in the province with a population of over 300,000 its residents enjoy short commute times and some of the lowest apartment rental and housing prices in the country.
About the University of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan is one of the top research-intensive, medical doctoral universities in Canada, and is home to world-leading research in areas of global importance, such as water and food security and infectious diseases. USask has a reputation for excellence in teaching, research, and scholarly activities and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs to a student population of over 25,000.
About the University Library
As one of Canada’s leading research libraries, the University Library serves as the intellectual hub of USask, providing resources, services, and spaces that facilitate inquiry, discovery, and knowledge creation. This portfolio also includes the University’s museums, galleries, and the Diefenbaker Centre, which play a pivotal role in campus recruitment and community engagement. Building off the success achieved from our previous Strategic Framework, the organization is actively engaged with developing its next strategic plan. The University Library is committed to developing welcoming, responsive, and accessible services and resources to support our diverse clientele, with a strategic focus on Indigenous peoples.
The University Library has a robust digital library and is physically distributed across six locations on campus to support the learning, teaching, and research communities. We are structured in four functional divisions: Collections and Discovery, Learning and Curriculum Support, Research Support Services, University Archives and Special Collections. For more information, visit the University Library website.
Inquiries regarding this position can be directed to University Librarian and Dean, Dr. Lori Birrell: lori.birrell@usask.ca.
Status: Term
Employment Group: Out of Scope Faculty Member
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Posted Date: 11/3/2026
Closing Date: 12/7/2026
The University of Saskatchewan aspires to be what the world needs and embraces equity, diversity and inclusion as foundational to excellence and innovation. We actively seek to create a welcoming environment where all individuals feel empowered to thrive, contribute, and grow. Applications from equity-deserving groups are encouraged as part of our ongoing efforts to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve: EDI Framework for Action.
We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and the Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation.
The University of Saskatchewan provides an accessible and inclusive workplace. Should you require support through any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us for assistance.
