University Librarian and Andrew H. and Janet Dayton Neilly Dean of the University of Rochester Libraries

About University of Rochester

Founded in 1850, the University of Rochester is one of the nation’s leading research universities and is the cultural, artistic, healthcare, and educational leader for the region. The university’s motto, Meliora, embodies the goals of the University, which are to “learn, discover, heal, create – and make the world ever better.”

The University is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is regularly ranked in the top 40 national universities by U.S. News and World Report. The University enrolls nearly 12,000 undergraduate and graduate/professional students, both domestic and international, and employs more than 3,000 faculty and 30,000 staff.

The institution’s integrated University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) is one of the nation’s leaders in professional education, biomedical research, and clinical care. It forms the centerpiece of the University’s health research, teaching, and patient care missions. The Strong Memorial Hospital, James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, Golisano Children’s Hospital, and affiliated healthcare systems in the region comprise five additional hospitals and numerous clinical locations as well as long-term care facilities.

The University is home to the Memorial Art Gallery, which houses a permanent collection of paintings by American and European masters, as well as sculpture and decorative arts, and offers a variety of classes for adults and children in the community; and the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, an internationally renowned science and technology center conducting research in physics, fusion, optics, high-energy-density phenomena, and other fields.

The University expends $438 million annually for research, denoting the high value placed on scholarship at the institution. With over 60 research centers and institutes, the University allows students, faculty, and research staff to pursue their academic goals in an environment that empowers and supports their efforts.

Learn more about the University of Rochester at https://www.rochester.edu/.

The Role of University Librarian and Andrew H. and Janet Dayton Neilly Dean of the University of Rochester Libraries

The University of Rochester invites exceptional candidates to apply for the position of University Librarian and Andrew H. and Janet Dayton Neilly Dean of the University of Rochester Libraries.

The University of Rochester is one of the country’s leading private research institutions and a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). The University of Rochester (UR) libraries play an essential role in the academic and cultural life of the institution. To lead the UR libraries into their next era of success, the University of Rochester seeks a University Librarian with an ambitious strategic vision to support faculty and student research, maintain the global reach of library collections, and engage with the broader community. The UR libraries are a cornerstone of the University and are at a key juncture for themselves and for the strategic future of the institution. The University is readying the launch of a comprehensive capital campaign with the libraries featured prominently. The historic Rush Rhees library is nearing its centennial, giving the next University Librarian much to celebrate in the coming years.

The University Librarian has oversight of the policies and enterprise systems for the UR Libraries, including the Miner Medical Libraries (UR Medical Center), the River Campus Libraries (RCL), the Sibley Music Library (Eastman School of Music), and the Charlotte Whitney Allen Library at the Memorial Art Gallery (MAG). The University Librarian also represents the UR Libraries in the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), where the UR Libraries play an active role.

For the Academic Center, the University Librarian has administrative responsibility for all library divisions, including oversight of an approximately $24 million consolidated operations budget (collections, endowment return) with a total of 115 FTEs. The University Librarian will be a principal fundraiser for the Libraries as the University launches its next comprehensive capital campaign.

Reporting to the Provost, the University Librarian and Dean of the UR Libraries is a member of the Dean’s Council, the President’s Cabinet, and sits on the Executive Committee of the Humanities Center. The University Librarian is supported by four Assistant Deans overseeing: Engaged Learning and Research, Scholarly Resources and Curation, Organizational Performance, and Strategy and Planning.

The University of Rochester's library system stands at a critical juncture, balancing exceptional staff dedication and beautiful physical spaces against operational challenges in the current political and fiscal environments. The next University Librarian has significant opportunities to build a transformational vision, leverage existing strengths and continue to address new and ongoing needs in creative research-forward ways. This position requires a leader who can bring a fresh perspective: someone capable of both strategic vision and practical execution.

The new University Librarian should be proactive in exploring new opportunities in scholarly communications and publishing and stay abreast of the fast-moving field of library science with a focus on how they can optimally benefit the Libraries and the broader University community.

Contact Information

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $300,000 to $400,000 with a generous benefits package. To learn more about University of Rochester’s offerings, please see their Office of Human Resources website.

Note that the final salary will reflect internal equity and the selected candidate’s individual experiences and qualifications.

DSG | Storbeck has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Matthew Bunting and Susan Kart. Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out the Talent Profile for this position.

Nominations and inquiries may be emailed to the search team directly at [email protected]. All inquiries, discussions and applications are strictly confidential.

Equal Opportunity at the University of Rochester

The University of Rochester has a robust nondiscrimination policy. The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.