William & Mary, a historic and forward-thinking institution located in Williamsburg, Virginia, seeks an experienced, dedicated, and strategic Dean of the University Libraries to lead during a time of transformation, progress, and growth. This leader will champion the enduring value of a strong academic library, advancing its role to ensure it remains a vibrant intellectual hub and core academic asset. The Libraries have a significant role to play in shaping William & Mary’s future academic landscape and maintaining its institutional distinctiveness.
William & Mary (W&M), located in Williamsburg, Virginia, was founded in 1693 and is the second-oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Renowned for its commitment to academic excellence, leadership development, and public service, W&M offers a dynamic and intellectually rigorous environment that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and global engagement. As a Public Ivy and an R1 institution, the university combines the resources and opportunities of a major research university with the close-knit, personalized experience of a smaller liberal arts institution. William & Mary enrolls more than 9,700 students, including more than 6,500 undergraduates, almost all (99 percent) full-time.
Ranked the 3rd Best College Library in the nation by Princeton Review, William & Mary Libraries serve as a cornerstone of academic life at the university, advancing the institution’s mission by supporting and enhancing teaching, research, and intellectual curiosity across all disciplines and William & Mary communities. With a commitment to fostering lifelong learning, the Libraries champion equitable access to information and create welcoming spaces that nurture community, creativity, and scholarly engagement. The Swem Library, the main academic library, serves as a central gathering place and intellectual home for students and faculty. It is widely regarded as one of the most valued and vibrant spaces on campus. The W&M Libraries serve not only as a steward of knowledge and archives, but also as an active civic partner, connecting academic research with public engagement, fostering inclusive narratives, and strengthening relationships between the university and the broader community.
Reporting to the Provost, the next Dean of the University Libraries has significant opportunities to build a transformational vision, leverage existing strengths, and continue to address new and ongoing challenges facing academic libraries. The next Dean will be proactive in exploring new opportunities in scholarly communications and publishing, and stay abreast of the fast-moving field of library science, focusing on how they can optimally benefit the Libraries and the broader W&M community. The position leads a team of 64 professionals, including six direct reports. The Dean oversees the following areas of the Libraries: Special Collections Research Center, Collection and Content Services, Research and Public Services, Development, and External Relations.
The ideal candidate will possess a blend of leadership acumen, analytical abilities, and a deep understanding of higher education’s unique challenges and opportunities. The successful candidate will bring extensive experience working in collaborative, innovative, digital, and interdisciplinary environments, and will possess a deep understanding of current issues relevant to academic librarianship, including information services, pedagogy and inquiry, digital libraries and library technologies, scholarly communication, assessment, strategic planning, and advocacy. The next dean is required to possess an ALA-accredited graduate degree in library or information science and/or an advanced degree in an academic discipline, in addition to significant leadership experience in academic libraries.
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DSG Storbeck has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Matthew Bunting, Managing Director, and Amanda Bennett, Managing Associate. Nominations and applications are now being accepted. Requested application materials include a letter of interest and a curriculum vitae or resume. Although applications will be welcomed until a new Dean is selected, for best consideration, all candidates should submit materials as soon as possible via the DSG Global Talent Profile.
Additional questions can be directed to [email protected].
This is a full-time position that will be performed on-site in Virginia. Salary commensurate with experience, with a generous benefits package.
William & Mary (W&M), including the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (the university), is committed to compliance with all laws, federal, state or local, that require equal opportunity or affirmative action and that prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of age, sex/gender, race, color, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, disability, protected veteran status and other protected classifications (Equal Opportunity Laws). The university’s Policy on Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation and Sexual Misconduct prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of any protected class and requires that employment decisions and actions be based on qualifications or performance related to job requirements. The university’s commitment to equal opportunity applies to all personnel actions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. W&M also modifies the application process as well as the jobs, work conditions and work environment for qualified employees with disabilities as required by law, under the Employee Reasonable Accommodation Policy and Procedure.
William & Mary applicants and employees may not be subjected to harassment, intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination because they have engaged in any of the following activities: (1) filing a complaint, (2) assisting or participating in an investigation, compliance evaluation, hearing, or any other activity relating to the administration of any Equal Opportunity Law, or (3) exercising any other right protected by any Equal Opportunity Law.
The university has written affirmative action programs. These programs set forth the policies, practices, and procedures, including the audit and reporting system, followed to ensure equal opportunity and affirmative action, and assign responsibility for implementing program activities. The written programs are available for inspection, upon request to [email protected], by any employee or applicant for employment.
The university invites employees who are disabled or protected veterans and wish to be included under our affirmative action program to inform University Human Resources. This self-identification is voluntary and confidential and may not result in adverse consequences of any sort.