Senior Manager -- Missouri Botanical Garden -- St. Louis, MO

Location
Missouri

Position title: Senior Manager, Peter H. Raven Library and Archives

For more information and to apply: https://jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-US/mbg/CANDIDATEPORTAL/jobs/3790

Library website: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/plant-science/plant-science/about-science-conservation/resources-databases/raven-library

Summary:

The Senior Manager, Peter H. Raven Library and Archives will be responsible for all activities connected with the acquisition, storage, care, and access to digital and physical items in the Library and Archives collections, as well as the management and access of their associated data in support of the Garden’s staff, students, research visitors, outside users, and general public. The Senior Manager will lead, develop and motivate the Library team, promote the Garden’s role in science, conservation, and the humanities to internal and external audiences, and be instrumental in securing ongoing funding.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • In collaboration with the Senior Vice President of Science and Conservation and the Division’s management team, leads the strategic development, delivery, and assessment of goals and objectives of the Library and Archive’s programs.
  • Responsible for the strategic growth and improvement of the research collection and its long-term care.
  • Develops a sustainable operating budget, aligned with available resources.
  • Provides leadership to, and directly manages, coaches, and develops, the department’s staff.
  • Supervises staff involved in all aspects of library and archives research collection management, including such tasks as collection development, library software and metadata management, long-term access, and preservation.
  • Identifies and facilitates opportunities for new initiatives and projects for the Department in line with the overall strategy of the Division, including developing partnerships and collaborations with other peer libraries and archives, and establishing cooperative agreements for mutually strengthening all collections and relationships that promote botanical and humanities education and research.
  • Takes a proactive role in developing appropriate policies for all aspects of access and use of the research collections and their associated data.
  • Takes responsibility for complying with collections-related international, national, and state standards and laws; ensures adherence to professional best practices and ethical standards.
  • Identifies funding sources and prepares and submits proposals to raise funds to support initiatives within the Department and the Division, including for the Director’s independent research program.
  • Initiates, conducts, and publishes independent research that could involve students, staff, and external collaborators and prepares results for publication in books, peer reviewed journals, and other appropriate media.
  • Writes, reviews, and facilitates grant proposals, institutional reports, and publicity materials.
  • Establishes and maintains contact with professionals, community networks, professional organizations and other institutions with interests similar to those of the Department in an effort to promote strengthened collaboration.
  • Appraises, evaluates, and reports the Department’s activities and results on a regular, systematic basis.
  • Participates in professional meetings and delivers lectures to professional organizations and to the general public as appropriate.
  • Provides instruction and interpretation of library and archives collections through exhibits, tours, publications, and classes.
  • In consultation with the library’s conservator, manages and prioritizes book, manuscript, and digital conservation and preservation programs for long-term maintenance of collections.

Key Qualifications/Experience:

  • Minimum of five or more (5+) years of relevant experience with a record of successful career growth leading to significant management responsibilities and leadership, and a proven track record in strategic business planning preferably in a non-profit, learning organization.
  • Seven to ten or more (7-10+) years of experience in staff management, including conflict resolution and other related management experience.
  • Strong understanding of financial budget development and management.
  • Have a proven record of effective leadership in libraries or other collections dealing with objects of historic importance as well as an established publication record of independent research in botany, history, or a related discipline.
  • Demonstrated success in securing external funding, including competitive government grants. Experience in negotiating and managing project budgets.
  • Prior experience facilitating and conducting research for academic papers and reports.
  • Familiarity with botanical nomenclature and botanical literature is highly desirable.

Education:  

  • Master’s degree in Library Science (MLS, MSLS, MLIS) or a related field strongly desired. Holders of Doctoral degrees in botany, history, or related fields with experience in historical collections management will also be considered.
  • An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.