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Executive Director, Portland Public Library, Portland, ME

Posted November 24, 2014

The Portland Public Library (“PPL” or “the Library”) is seeking an experienced library professional to replace its current Executive Director, who will retire in July 2015.

Chartered in 1867, PPL is one of the oldest cultural institutions in Maine’s largest city, which is also home to a working waterfront and a vibrant arts and cultural scene.

The Library consists of a main location downtown, three branches, a mobile library, and a unique Shared Collections Management Center, developed in partnership with the Maine Historical Society.  The main downtown branch underwent a significant renovation in 2010.  PPL houses an extensive collection including electronic media, access to shared media, and important city historical archives.  In addition to providing computing and Internet access service to the public, the Library stages educational, political, and cultural events, and hosted 675,000 patron visits in 2013.

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Trustees and provides strategic, visionary, and inspirational leadership for the organization. Working with the senior management team, the Executive Director directs all fundraising, services, programs, and operations and fosters a culture of continuous improvement to achieve the Library’s vision, mission, goals, and strategic initiatives. The Executive Director’s responsibilities include recommending, designing, implementing, directing, supervising, and evaluating an active program of information services, educational opportunities, and cultural activities for the citizens of Portland and surrounding communities.  The Executive Director will lead multiple capital improvement projects, including the completion of the renovation of the main branch of the Library.

Key Skills and Attributes

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

  • Experience and proven success with fundraising and advancement;
  • Thorough knowledge of library principles, practices, techniques, materials, and technologies, as well as current trends and best practices for nonprofit library management;
  • Exceptionally strong communication skills including writing, presentation, public speaking and relationship management with the ability to connect and relate at multiple levels;
  • Political acumen and collaborative and consensus-building skills, particularly the ability to work effectively with members of the Library staff, representatives of the staff association, the Library Board of Trustees, the City of Portland, county and state officials, the Friends of the Library, donors, foundations, professional and community organizations, and members of the general public;
  • A strong commitment to intellectual freedom;
  • A strong commitment to public service.

Primary Tasks and Responsibilities

As the chief executive officer of the Library, the Executive Director:

  • Provides leadership in developing and implementing a strategic framework in partnership with the Board of Trustees.
  • Directs strategic planning and annual plans for services, facilities, staffing, development and technology.
  • Serves as lead major gifts officer and works with the Development and External Relations Director to seek out and secure funding for Library infrastructure, programs, and services.
  • Oversees the preparation, submission to the City of Portland, and advocacy of budgets before City of Portland officials for the Library in cooperation with the Finance Director and executes those budgets in a fiscally responsible manner.
  • Strengthens formal and informal collaborative relationships with City of Portland officials.
  • Actively engages in representing and promoting the Library in a variety of venues and activities within the community.
  • Recognizes and preserves the unique attributes of the Library and its role in greater Portland, while meeting the current community needs.

Job Qualifications and Requirements

At a minimum, the successful candidate will have:

  1. A Master of Library Science degree from an ALA-accredited library school.
  2. At least seven years of progressively responsible work experience in public library management and supervision, including managerial experience with a high level of financial responsibility.
  3. The ability to travel both around Maine and out of state for Library business.

In addition, experience working with staff organizations and collective bargaining is strongly preferred.

Salary Range is $85,000- $110,000 DOQ.

Letters of interest, including salary requirements, a resume, a writing sample and any other materials that will support your application should be addressed to Beth Bordowitz, Chair, Search Committee and emailed to [email protected]  .

Applications will be accepted until 4:00 on December 5, 2014.

For more information about the Portland Public Library, visit www.portlandlibrary.com.

For more information about Portland, Maine, visit:

The Portland Public Library is an EEO employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

 

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