Director for Research Services

Binghamton University is a premier public R1 research institution in the State University of New York (SUNY) system that unites more than 130 broadly interdisciplinary educational programs with vibrant research. The university fosters extraordinary student success, research, and service, offering a collegial and inclusive culture committed to excellence, education, innovation, and civic engagement. With a diverse campus community and ultramodern facilities, Binghamton engages over 18,000 students, including first-generation college-goers and international students, in rigorous academics and community-engaged research.

About the role

The Binghamton University Libraries provide research collections in electronic (over 2 million items) and print (1.7 million items) formats, along with over 400 databases and e-packages, archival materials, and distinctive printed collections in Special Collections. The Libraries include three public locations and an off-site Collections Management Facility, aiming to support an R1 research institution.

Binghamton University Libraries seeks a collaborative, visionary, and service-oriented leader for the position of Director for Research Services. This role provides leadership to a newly restructured department comprising four units: Digital Scholarship Services, Liaison Services, Special Collections, and Teaching and Learning. The Director will combine a commitment to public service with a forward-thinking approach to evaluating and supporting emerging research methods, using evidence-based decision-making to develop, implement, and assess library services. This position reports directly to the Senior Assistant Dean for Research, Learning and Access Services and serves as a member of the Dean's Library Council.

Responsibilities

• Leadership and Strategy
  • Work with the Senior Assistant Dean for Research, Learning and Access Services on strategic planning, departmental and unit-level goal setting, and defining priorities for projects and innovations.
  • Prioritize excellence in instruction and research services across modalities, including inclusive pedagogy and universal design principles.
  • Support and lead professional development activities; assess the effectiveness and impact of research services.
  • Ensure compliance with university policies on accessibility and patron privacy, staying informed of evolving campus or professional guidelines.
  • Evaluate and recommend services and technologies supporting established and emerging University research areas.
  • Transform data into insight by maintaining accurate statistics, analyzing trends, and incorporating results into decision-making.
  • Lead and shape research services practices through engagement in library consortia, professional organizations, and peer networks.
  • Contribute meaningfully to the Dean's Library Council, collaborating with leadership to support shared goals.
• Supervision and Management
  • Supervise four assistant directors, collaboratively identifying performance goals and providing ongoing feedback.
  • Foster communication among team members and with other library units.
  • Pursue professional development opportunities and integrate new knowledge into departmental work.
  • Promote a work culture that values diversity, anti-racism, and active mentorship for professional growth.
• Scholarship

  Contribute significantly to the profession to meet the Libraries' standards of scholarship.

• Service

  Participate in library, University, and national service.

Requirements

• Master's degree from an ALA-accredited library or information science program or an ALA-approved foreign equivalent.
• Minimum of five years of experience in an academic or public library, or comparable environment, including at least two years in a supervisory position, with responsibilities in one or more of the following areas:
  • Reference
  • Information literacy instruction
  • Liaison services
  • Data services
  • Scholarly communication
  • Special collections
  • Support for grant writing
• Commitment to high-quality service in a diverse, fast-paced environment, with the ability to resolve issues professionally.
• Effective written and oral communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly.
• Record of scholarly activity, such as presentations, publications, and/or grants.
• Demonstrated experience evaluating and improving research services using quantitative and/or qualitative data.
• Experience leading professional development related to the duties in this department.

Preferred Qualifications

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Pay

The salary range for this open-rank (Associate or Full Librarian) position is $85,000–$115,000, inclusive of an administrative stipend renewable at established intervals.