CHIEF COLLECTIONS STRATEGIST, Boston University, (Boston, MA)

Posted June 16, 2024

Job Description

The Boston University Libraries seek a Chief Collections Strategist to guide the development of the library’s principal research and teaching collections. Reporting to the University Librarian, the Chief Collections Strategist provides leadership for the collection development strategies of individual subject specialists and liaisons across the libraries, including and especially in areas of interdisciplinary overlap and emerging needs. This position chairs the library’s Collections Committee and works closely with library colleagues and other stakeholders in the acquisitions and access workflows to articulate and execute a comprehensive collection development strategy in service of the research and teaching needs across academic disciplines at Boston University. The Chief Collections Strategist develops and delivers regular, timely reporting to library leadership through the use of collections assessments and analytics that incorporate localized criteria to support collection development decisions in a highly dynamic university environment. This position responds to evolving and emerging needs for research data and library materials in non-print formats essential for research and teaching activities.

The Chief Collections Strategist will:

Lead collection development activities throughout the library system. Collaborate with library liaisons and materials selectors to develop and execute campus-wide collection development and acquisitions strategies for the general collection in concert with the research and curricular needs of the university, identifying and responding to trends across schools, departments, and programs to identify emergent areas of need and support. Partner with library departments, including Special Collections, and other campus associates to support materials acquisition through data-informed decisions, aligned with research and institutional priorities.
Manage the library’s materials budget, under the direction of the University Librarian, to ensure equitable distribution of resources across BU’s research and teaching agenda. Monitor and report on acquisition progress to library administration, providing assessment and analytics as needed to track budgetary impacts of acquisitions and license renewal. Conduct analyses of potential purchases, including through direct vendor relations and sales inquiries. Direct acquisitions using both restricted and general funds.
Serve as BU’s representative to collaborative and membership organizations responsible for group purchasing and collection development decisioning. Stay abreast of emergent issues and trends in collection development and academic publishing through sustained engagement within broader professional networks devoted to academic library collection management.
Pursue professional engagement opportunities through meetings, publication, and presentation as a representative of the BU Libraries and broader BU community as appropriate.
Develop and maintain relationships with vendor contacts and partner with university procurement and library administration on contract negotiations. Connect with colleagues across library units to identify and propose acquisitions in line with the strategic priorities of Boston University Libraries.

How to Apply

For more information and to apply, please go the following: https://bu.silkroad.com/epostings/index.cfm?fuseaction=app.jobinfo&id=23&jobid=314139&company_id=15509&version=1&source=ONLINE&JobOwner=1017576&level=levelid2&levelid2=4271&startflag=3