Executive Director - Princeton Public Library (NJ). The Board of Trustees of the Princeton Public Library
(NJ) seeks an innovative and seasoned Executive Director to manage the
Library’s stellar staff and to ensure that our award winning library
continues to improve, innovate and grow as the town’s most valued public
destination.
The Ideal Candidate: The Executive Director will
have the demonstrated ability to: Lead, motivate and manage a highly
skilled and dedicated staff. Formulate and manage a budget. Sustain and
strengthen current municipal operating and capital funding. Raise
significant private sector funds. Oversee the progress of the Library’s
2019-2021 Strategic Plan, think critically and creatively to advance the
Library’s mission and vision and express a clear vision for the future.
Embrace all constituencies that comprise Princeton’s vibrant, diverse
population.
Responsibilities: The Executive Director reports
to a nine-person Board of Trustees and is responsible for the overall
management and direction of the Library through the collaboration and
support of an extraordinary team of senior management personnel and
talented, knowledgeable staff. Specific responsibilities include: Leads
library staff in a collaborative environment by maintaining a positive
organizational climate. Develops and shares a vision that strengthens
the Library’s position at the forefront of innovation and public
engagement. Ensures library programs, services and collections are
exemplary, available, inclusive, equitably distributed, representative
of a variety of views, and responsive to the community, reflecting the
library’s mission, vision and strategies. Exercises day-to-day
supervision of direct reports, establishes individual goals and
objectives that support the Library’s strategic initiatives,
communicates expectations and provides the resources necessary for
success. Promotes the use of library services, collections and
facilities by the entire community; monitors library use, evaluates
library effectiveness, makes adjustment to procedures and services, and
reports on the use by community members. Ensures the success of the
Library’s fundraising efforts, including the annual appeal and endowment
or capital campaigns by working with the development team to steward,
cultivate and solicit donations as well as to generate new sources of
revenue. Oversees the preparation of the Library’s annual operating and
capital budgets and in cooperation with the Finance Director is
responsible for executing those budgets in a fiscally responsible
manner. Maintains positive, productive relationships with the members of
the Library Board and external stakeholders including the elected
municipal officials, municipal staff, community leaders and
organizations, members of the Friends Council, members of the Foundation
Board, donors and other funders, state and national library leadership,
NJ State Library staff and members of the public. Prioritizes creating a
welcoming, inclusive, appealing, safe, comfortable, sustainable and
convenient facility and evaluates the design and layout of the Library
for accessibility and ease of use by the public and for efficient staff
work flow. Ensures robust marketing and communication strategies in
order to increase use of library services and participation in programs
and events. Encourages and supports outreach efforts to the underserved
and non-user populations.
The Princeton Public Library: Established in 1909,
the current 61,000 square foot Princeton Public Library is the most
visited municipal library in New Jersey. The Library serves a population
of approximately 30,000 residents (as well as a large university
population) that value the Library and view it as their favorite
destination in the town. There are 35 full-time and 35 part-time
employees as well as 350 volunteers who are extremely dedicated to
making the Library an outstanding public institution. Consistently rated
5-stars on the LJ Index of Public Library Service, the Library has a
2019 operating budget of $5,581,591 and a capital budget of $287,500.
The Princeton Community: Renowned for the
world-class university that shares its name, Princeton is a vibrant and
diverse community located halfway between New York and Philadelphia.
Princeton is home to scholars and artists affiliated with Princeton
University, the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton Theological
Seminary and Westminster Choir College. The town has first-rate
municipal services, including award-winning public schools and ample
open space for passive and active recreation. Princeton is home to the
Tony Award-winning McCarter Theatre Center and has a dazzling array of
other cultural opportunities year-round. Though its rich history dates
to Colonial times, Princeton is a hub for contemporary discovery and
innovation and is regularly included in lists of Best Places to Live.
Additional information about the Library and the Princeton community can
be found at https://princetonlibrary.org/information.
Qualifications: An ALA-accredited Master’s Degree
in Library Science, a New Jersey librarian certificate issued by Thomas
Edison State University (or eligibility for immediately acquiring one)
and a minimum of ten (10) years of public library management experience
with a five year demonstrated record of significant success in the
supervision of administration and operations. Preference will be given
to candidates with Director/Assistant Director experience or candidates
who have successfully worked with a governing body of a large non-profit
institution.
In addition to fulfilling the major responsibilities and
qualifications of this position, the successful candidate will also
possess superior interpersonal and consensus building skills, show
sensitivity and awareness of group dynamics and foster an environment of
open and honest communication. The new Executive Director will be an
effective library leader who is able to demonstrate a strong commitment
to securing the role of the Library as the major cultural, intellectual,
and social heart of Princeton.
Other Important Information: New Jersey residency
is required within one year of the date of hire. Successful completion
of a criminal and financial background check is also required.
Compensation: The salary for this position is
highly competitive and includes an individualized compensation package.
Health coverage is subject to a NJ State mandated employee contribution
and membership in the New Jersey Public Employee Retirement System is
mandatory.
Applications: To apply, submit via e-mail a cover
letter, resume and the contact information of three (3) quality job
references that must include a current or former board member or
supervisor to Bonnie Sprouls, Human Resources Director at bsprouls@princetonlibrary.org by July 31, 2019. Applications received after that date may not be considered. The Princeton Public Library is an ADA/EOE compliant employer.
