CEO – Southern Maryland Regional Library Association. “Advance Library Excellence” as the next CEO of the Southern Maryland Regional Library Association
(SMRLA). With an excellent staff (15FTE), an annual $3 million
operating budget, and a nine-member governing Board of Trustees, SMRLA
will continue to provide new and ongoing library services and products
to its three member libraries, each headed
by a director reporting to his or her county board, serving the
370,000+ residents of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties. The
Board of Trustees seeks a progressive leader to be an enthusiastic
advocate with State and local partners, an inspirational
CEO for SMRLA staff, and a collaborative partner with its member
Library Directors. Key opportunities for the CEO
include implementing the strategic plan, creating a stronger regional
library system through clear direction, continuing
staff development, succession planning, and creating sustainable
revenue streams. The successful candidate will be a co-partner with
member Libraries in the areas of innovative technologies, resource
sharing, advocacy, and exploration of future funding
potential. Established by the State of Maryland, SMRLA is located in
St. Mary’s County (Charlotte Hall), MD.
The three counties served by SMRLA—St. Mary’s County (110,000 population), Calvert County (93,000 population), and Charles County
(163,000 population)—are centrally located in the
Mid-Atlantic corridor close to Washington, D.C., Annapolis, and
Baltimore. Home to crabbing, fishing, and farming, the area is also home
to the high-tech Naval Air Station Patuxent River and has a deep
appreciation of a combined focus on its historical
foundations and its dynamic outlook. Southern Maryland boasts a
thousand miles of shoreline with fossil-laden cliffs, quiet tidal
inlets, and sandy beaches. The result of this unique geography is a
maritime heritage of skipjacks, steamboats and lighthouses,
a network of scenic byways joining resort towns and picturesque
communities and an abundance of state and national parks offering a
diverse variety of water-based recreational activities. The area also
boasts of excellent public schools and a wealth
of cultural amenities. To learn more about SMRLA and the area, see SMRLA Links.
Responsibilities.
The CEO directs, coordinates,
and manages the activities and operations of the Southern Maryland
Regional Library Association. Responsibilities include, but are not
limited to, providing organizational leadership and direction to ensure
optimal operations; recommend, develop and
implement strategic initiatives in conjunction with the Board of
Trustees, Member Library Directors, and SMRLA Staff; and serve as the
principal representative to state government agencies and organizations
to promote visibility, influence, and funding
for SMRLA and for the county libraries. In addition, the CEO will
also oversee the ongoing programs and services offered by the
Association and continue to enhance those programs and services offered
to the citizens of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s
Counties.
Qualifications. Minimum
qualifications are: (1) a Master’s Degree in Library Science from an
ALA-accredited program; (2) the Public Library Director’s Certificate
from the Maryland State Library
or the ability to secure such certification within 120 days of hire;
and (3) a minimum of seven years of experience in a library
organization and four years in a managerial role. Additional
qualifications include knowledge of library trends and best
practices, strong interpersonal communication skills, knowledge of
state-of-the-art library technologies, and successful experience with
budget preparation and financial reporting. Desirable skills also
include the ability to work collaboratively
with Trustees, Member Libraries, staff, and local and state
officials and experience reporting to a governing board.
Compensation. The position offers a hiring salary range of $100,000 - $140,000 (dependent
upon experience and qualifications), relocation assistance, and an attractive benefits package.
For further information, contact Bradbury Miller Associates.
To start the application process, send a meaningful cover letter and resume as Word or PDF attachments to Karen Miller at karenmiller@bradburymiller.com on or before the closing date of July 26, 2020.
