Director, Client Services and Deputy University Librarian
School/Centre
Faculty/Institute/Division
Classification
Responsible to
Hours of Work
Client Services
University Library
HEW 10+
University Librarian
Full time (36.75 hours per week)
Primary Location of Work
Melbourne Burwood Campus
Vacancy Closes
Vacancy Reference Number
More Information
Sunday 29 May, 2016
160283
Craig Anderson, Tel: +61 3 5247 9509
ABOUT DEAKIN
Deakin University was established in 1974, the first university in regional Victoria and the first to specialise in distance
education. Deakin has five campuses: one in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, two in the port city of Geelong, one in
Warrnambool on the southwest coast of Victoria and one in the cloud (Deakin’s fastest growing cohort is online). Deakin also
has a corporate centre in the Melbourne CBD, a network of technology-rich learning centres across regional Victoria and
international offices in India, China and Indonesia.
Deakin has always had a strong reputation for innovation, and in this digital age, has been at the forefront of new and
emerging technologies in research and teaching. Vibrant, technology-rich spaces both at its campuses and in the cloud are a
hallmark of life at Deakin.
Deakin is committed to a workplace culture that fosters and supports excellence in teaching, research and administration. It
provides an extensive program of capacity building, supporting teaching practice, digital scholarship, career progression and
personal growth. Deakin values diversity, enables access and celebrates inclusion. It has a long standing commitment to being
flexible, accessible and friendly.
ABOUT YOU
You are willing to enthusiastically embrace the Deakin Offer and Promise as expressed in the Deakin University Strategic Plan,
LIVE the Future, and must share the University’s values.
You will be a person who is ambitious for Deakin University’s success and optimistic about its future; and will display diligence,
have great resolve and a focus on producing results.
WHY WORK FOR OUR UNIVERSITY?
http://www.deakin.edu.au/library/
Benefits of working at Deakin
LIVE the Future – Deakin University Strategic Plan
deakin.edu.au/about-deakin/careers-at-deakin
PD Developed May 2016
Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code 00113B
POSITION PURPOSE
The Director, Client Services and Deputy University Librarian is a senior strategic role. The Director provides leadership in
delivering the Library’s cloud and located client services, contributing to successful university outcomes in teaching, learning
and research. As a member of the Library’s Executive team, the position shapes the Library’s strategic responses to Deakin’s
strategic agenda and the Deakin promise to advance Learning, Ideas, Value and Experience (LIVE).
This position is Deputy to the University Librarian, representing the Library and contributing through the University’s
governance structure to academic and operational strategic imperatives.
The Director is highly skilled in engaging with the key stakeholders within Deakin, as well as engaging with the University’s
partner enterprises and communities.
POSITION CONTEXT
The University Library reports directly to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education. The Library’s cloud and campus services for
teaching, learning and research are highly valued by students and staff at all Deakin’s campuses including the cloud campus
and Deakin’s network of learning centres stretching across regional Victoria. The Library’s clients include all Deakin students,
staff and partners, wherever they may study and work. The Library services also bring benefits to friends in the community
and Alumni
The Library comprises three internal units: Client Services; Collections, Copyright and Licensing; and Digital Library and
Repositories. The position leads Client Services, a large unit with approximately 75 FTE staff across four locations and a salary
budget of approximately $6 million. Reporting to this position are four senior staff, who are responsible for library services
to Faculties and campus library operations, and each of whom has senior management line authority and accountability. The
University Librarian, the Library’s three Directors and the Associate Director, Library Resources and Development, form the
Library Executive.
The Library’ clients include all students, staff and partners, wherever they may study and work. The Library services also
bring benefits to friends in the community and alumni. The Director is responsible for developing and delivering an
innovative suite of services to reach all clients, including digital literacy programs for students throughout their learning path,
digital scholarship and outreach programs for staff in faculties and other areas, as well as information inquiry and access
services for cloud and located learning.
The Director is the designated Deputy University Librarian. As a member of the Library Executive, the position provides highlevel advice to the University Librarian and contributes to the strategic vision and direction of the University Library. The
Director represents the University Librarian on Deakin’s standing committees of Academic Board, Faculty Boards and in other
strategic and policy forums.
The position engages with key stakeholders within Deakin, including Executive Deans of Faculties and their Associate Deans,
Heads of Schools and Institutes, and Executive Directors and senior staff in Divisions and other areas. The Director is also a
key contact for Deakin’s partner enterprises and communities, as well as a contributor to effective collaborations within the
national and international networks of academic and research libraries.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
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Provide leadership and direction to the Client Services unit with an emphasis on quality, highly responsive service ethos.
Lead the planning and development of the Library’s cloud and located client services supporting teaching, learning and
research, providing a strategic focus and direction.
Lead the implementation of innovative and responsive digital scholarship and digital literacy programs, actively
contributing to the achievement of the University’s strategic agenda: LIVE the Future.
Research, evaluate and develop strategic service responses to new approaches to teaching and learning, strengthening
research performance, and changes in the higher education and global information landscape.
Lead staff in a dynamic learning environment and working from many locations, building capacity and implementing
effective change management.
Provide high-level advice to the University Librarian, contributing to the shaping of the Library’s long term and
operational plans that best align with the University’s strategic imperatives.
This role has staffing responsibilities and must therefore ensure staff and own adherence to University policies and
procedures, including but not limited to those relating to equal opportunity, occupational health and safety, risk
management, staff development and staff performance planning and review.
Deakin University Position Description: Director, Client Services and Deputy University Librarian
deakin.edu.au/about-deakin/careers-at-deakin
Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code 00113B
KEY DUTIES
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Lead the sustained development of highly responsive Library client services in cloud and located learning environments,
delivering quality outcomes for students, academic staff, researchers, partners and the community.
Monitor and evaluate Library Client Services’ performance through the application of quality assurance procedures and
report on performance.
Lead planning and set direction for the development of digital scholarship and digital literacy programs; aligning
programs with learning and research priorities, and preparing students, academic staff and researchers for studying and
working in a digital age.
Contribute high level strategic advice to the University’s learning and research policies and plans; and more specifically
the curriculum framework and priorities related to the University Library and student experience.
Plan and review the Library’s service model assuring accessibility for an increasing number and diversity of client
groups. Monitor services demand and align workforce capacity to future cloud and located needs.
Lead the ongoing development of client services staff, building capabilities that model cloud and located practice for
students, academic staff and researchers.
Evaluate polices and trends in higher education and the global information environment, developing responsive
strategies and programs supporting the Library and the University in achieving strategic priorities.
Build effective partnerships with Faculties and develop close working relationships within the DVC Education portfolio
and other Divisions and Units, including the division of Student Life and Equity and Diversity.
Develop strategic project proposals to introduce new services and initiatives.
Represent the University and University Library at appropriate meetings and forums, internal and external to the University.
Any other duties as directed, commensurate with the scope and classification of the position
SELECTION CRITERIA - ESSENTIAL
Training/Qualifications:
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Academic and professional qualifications, appropriate for appointment as a senior information professional, including
eligibility for professional membership of the Australian Library and Information Association.
Record of achievement in library or information management in a senior role, ideally in a large complex organization.
Experience:
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Experience working in a senior management role or demonstrated capacity to work in a senior management role.
Demonstrable experience in strategic planning and managing change.
Skills/Techniques:
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Knowledge of library client services, the global information environment and the application of technologies required to
support teaching, learning and research in a university environment.
An understanding of contemporary online and on campus learning experiences, and substantial knowledge of digital literacy.
Demonstrated management skills and ability to lead and motivate staff in a distributed team environment.
Able to communicate with influence, demonstrating high-level interpersonal and negotiation skills
Demonstrated ability to work within a senior management team and provide high quality input to strategic planning and
quality improvement processes.
Ability to manage human, financial and physical resources.
Knowledge of trends in library and information services delivery in a higher education and research environment, and
an ability to deliver responsive, future-looking programs within the context of a dynamic environment.
Demonstrated ability to develop collaborative and effective partnerships with stakeholders.
Well-developed presentation skills.
SELECTION CRITERIA - DESIRABLE
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An academic qualification in the discipline of Education or equivalent experience demonstrating a knowledge of
pedagogies in higher education.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
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Demonstrated ability in project management, and in translating strategies and initiatives into practical action.
Experience in developing marketing strategies to promote library services.
Deakin University Position Description: Director, Client Services and Deputy University Librarian
deakin.edu.au/about-deakin/careers-at-deakin
Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code 00113B