Head of Special Collections

About this role

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Job Category: Academic Staff

Employment Type: Regular

Job Profile: Library/Archive Manager I

Job Summary: The Head of Special Collections oversees the collections, services, staff, and operations of the Department of Special Collections, the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s primary home for rare books, manuscripts, and other rare and unique collections. With approximately 300,000 rare books and many manuscript and archival collections, the holdings in the Department of Special Collections include internationally prominent collections in literature, global history and culture, and the history of science.

The Head of Special Collections directs and provides vision for researcher support, class support, outreach, and faculty engagement. This position articulates collection priorities and works with curators to develop collections to support faculty instruction and research. The Head of Special Collections collaborates with others to ensure the proper cataloging, description, digitization, and preservation of collections and is responsible for external fundraising, including donor development and grant writing. They build creative and collaborative partnerships with faculty, academic departments, archives, museums, and libraries across campus and around the world. 

As the primary leadership position for Special Collections, the department head establishes strategic directions, sets goals, and promotes a vision for the future. This position directly supervises four full-time permanent staff members. The Head of Special Collections reports to the Associate Dean for Collections.

The UW–Madison Libraries lead in curating, preserving, and sharing knowledge through environments that inspire engagement, discovery, and learning. We deliver exemplary information services to advance the mission and strategic priorities of one of the nation’s leading research universities. Shared values at the UW-Madison Libraries include respect, inclusion, communication, collaboration, and empowerment.

The successful candidate will perform a variety of duties, including, but not limited to:

Management and Leadership • Provides vision and leadership for the Department of Special Collections and establishes goals and priorities for the department and its staff. 

• Hires, manages, trains, and supervises four direct reports (4.0 FTE).

• Conducts annual employee reviews and provides feedback to employees about their ongoing performance to contribute to their professional growth and development, as well as to the strategic advancement of the organization. 

• Oversees operations of the Department of Special Collections including facilities and security.

• Sets priorities and oversees cataloging, processing, preservation, and digitization projects.

• Collaborates closely with library departments including Cataloging, Digital Collections, Preservation, and International and Area Studies.  

Collection Development • In collaboration with library staff, develops extensive collections that support campus research, teaching, and learning. 

• Oversees collections funds, including endowments and gift funds. 

• Develops relationships with collection donors and oversees the acceptance and management of gifts-in-kind.

Liaison and Instructional Services • Provides direction for the provision of research services, access services, and instructional services for special collections. 

• Provides expert research services.

• Leads and participates in outreach activities.

• Participates in instructional services. 

• Collaborates with communications staff to promote library services, staff, and collections. 

Donor Stewardship and Fundraising • Works closely with the Associate Dean for Advancement and Communication on donor relations and stewardship.

• Identifies and pursues grant opportunities to fund library and campus initiatives.

Professional Development and Service • Stays informed of trends and issues in libraries, with particular focus on topics related to special collections librarianship.

• Participates in professional library organizations.

• Participates in library and campus committees and outreach activities to further the library's mission. 

• Participates in research and scholarship, as appropriate.

This position is eligible for partial remote work. A remote work agreement may allow for a maximum of 20% remote per week.

This position is full-time, 100%.

Ongoing/Renewable

Key Job Responsibilities: • Resolves complex issues which may impact policies and procedures within the unit (10%)

• Designs, develops, and provides leadership on projects, programs, procedures, and services (20%)

• Actively participate in an inclusive, welcoming and respectful workplace (5%)

• Communicates the strategic direction of the department as determined by leadership (10%)

• Advances librarianship/archives at the campus, local, and state level through committee participation (5%)

• Oversees day-to-day management of unit operations, services, and space (15%)

• Collaborates with other managers to develop and implement initiatives and technological enterprises which directly affect the libraries (15%)

• May supervise unit personnel. May hire, train, coach, and evaluate employees to manage and improve performance (15%)

• May manage the operating budget (5%)

Department: Libraries, Special Collections

Compensation: Starting salary will be based on experience and qualifications. Well-qualified applicants can anticipate earning between $75,000-$105,000 with final salary based on experience and qualifications. 

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (W

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