Library Executive Director, Tuscaloosa Public Library, Tuscaloosa, AL
Posted June 1, 2015
Think Tuscaloosa – Spirit, Energy and Passion! The next Tuscaloosa Public Library Executive Director will embody these traits and lead a spirited, energized, and passionate staff alongside its Board of Trustees as TPL embraces its role as a vital community partner and leader. The Trustees seek an executive director who can successfully create, connect, and collaborate with internal and external constituents. TPL is poised to move forward developing a new shared vision of library services and programs for its residents serving the City of Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County, and the City of Northport. Governed by an eleven-member Board, the Library serves its 201,872 residents with a dedicated staff of 53.5FTE and a $3.9 million annual operating budget from a Main Library, two branches, and an active outreach program.
Combining Southern hospitality, progressive government, and unparalleled growth and development, Tuscaloosa is a truly livable community. Named one of the South’s “15 Hip and Historic College Towns” (Convention South Magazine, 2013), it is a city that values education, recreation, arts and culture, history, and local flavor. The fifth largest city in Alabama, Tuscaloosa is located in West Central Alabama on the Black Warrior River. It is a delightful, diverse and vibrant area with three institutions of higher education, including the University of Alabama-home of an ALA-accredited School of Library and Information Studies, Stillman College, and Shelton State Community College. The area is a big community with small town charm at heart that welcomes new residents, students and faculty from around the world and features an international manufacturing base (the home of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International). For 43 years, Northport has hosted the nationally recognized Kentuck Festival of the Arts. Other attractions include a symphony orchestra, the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, and six museums as well as a variety of outdoor activities at many area lakes and parks. Tuscaloosa offers the benefits of smaller community living with access to the amenities of a major metropolis, being located 50 miles from Birmingham and three to four hours from Atlanta, Nashville, and New Orleans. To learn more about the Library and the region, see Tuscaloosa links.
Responsibilities. Under the direction of the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director provides strategic, visionary and inspirational leadership. The Executive Director is responsible for the operation, programming, budgeting, planning, personnel and administrative management of the Library. That person will direct general program goals and objectives; exercise full supervision of Library staff; and act as primary spokesperson and community liaison to the citizens of Tuscaloosa County. See the full job description at Tuscaloosa Executive Director Position Description.
Qualifications. A Master’s Degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited school; and five years of progressively responsible professional-level library experience with at least three years of increasingly responsible experience in operations administration and management. Desired qualifications include strong knowledge of current technologies; successful public relations experience; strong writing and communication skills; confident presentation skills; experience in fundraising and development; political acumen; and knowledge of nonprofit and library “best practices.” Experience working in a municipal environment and reporting to a governing board is highly desirable.
Compensation. The position offers a hiring salary range of $85,000-$110,000 (dependent upon experience and qualifications) and an attractive benefits package.
For further information, contact Bradbury Associates/Gossage Sager Associates via email or phone. To start the application process, send a cover letter and resume as Word or pdf attachments to Dan Bradbury, [email protected], or Jobeth Bradbury, [email protected]. The position closes July 19, 2015.