Head, Assessment Programs and Collection Strategy
Position Type
Rank
Salary
Available
Reports To
Description
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK), a Research 1 institution and the flagship institution for the state, is seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to lead the collaborative Assessment Programs and Collections Strategy team at the University Libraries. The city of Knoxville is a hidden gem with a beautiful and walkable downtown, varied nightlife, active neighborhoods, and eclectic shopping and restaurants. UT is located within easy driving distance to Asheville, Nashville, Atlanta, and the Great Smoky Mountains.
The Head, Assessment Programs and Collection Strategy supports the mission of UT Libraries by fostering a culture of assessment and leading the design and implementation of a successful and sustainable assessment program for library services, spaces, and collections; and by conceiving, communicating, and implementing methods to analyze, build, and leverage collections. Engaging staff throughout the Libraries, this position coordinates efforts to analyze systems, resources, and services for continuous improvement. This is a matrix leadership position that routinely leads activities across departments to accomplish assessment and collection goals at a R1 land-grant university.
This key leadership position actively participates in management of the Libraries through Library Council and other committees and groups, and successfully collaborates with others in the Libraries to deliver excellent assessment programs and collections. The department currently includes six full-time staff and librarians as well as graduate and undergraduate student assistants.
Responsibilities & Duties
- Establishes departmental priorities and goals to ensure effective workflows and outcomes in a positive, productive, and efficient work environment
- Provides leadership for Assessment Programs & Collection Strategy faculty and staff through professional development, mentoring, coaching, and regular review of department personnel
- Provides vision and leadership for the collections and stewardship responsibilities of the Libraries, including planning, decision-making, and administrative responsibilities
- Guides negotiations with vendors to achieve the UT Libraries Philosophy of Access to Research, Scholarship, and Cultural Heritage
- Leverages resources by working with System, state, regional, and national consortia
- Oversees and directs Libraries contributions to accreditation and academic program reviews
- Plans, implements, and promotes a comprehensive assessment program for UT Libraries that informs library strategic planning and organizational effectiveness
- Effectively collaborates with colleagues and stakeholders across the Libraries and campus:
- Works closely with marketing and communications personnel to communicate findings and initiatives resulting from assessment activities through publications, presentations, and the Libraries website
- Collaborates with campus offices that collect and disseminate data
- Ensures effective workflows and communications with Acquisitions & Continuing Resources, the Business Services Office, and liaisons
- Coordinates UT Libraries’ response to external requests for statistics and participates in national and regional surveys
- Develops and coordinates a process for the collection, compilation, and analysis of statistical data for the Libraries
- Maintains and promotes an awareness of broad research and student success trends in higher education
Research, Scholarship, Creative Activity, and Service
- Engages in scholarly activity through publications and presentations
- Participates in professional activities associated with job functions and research interests
- Serves on library, university, and professional committees
- Serves the library profession through involvement in professional organizations and through cooperative efforts with other information professionals
Required Qualifications
- ALA-accredited master’s degree at the time of appointment
- Knowledge of assessment practices and trends
- Demonstrated understanding of quantitative and qualitative assessment methodologies and their application in libraries
- Evidence of leadership and management skills
- Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment accompanied by a creative, flexible, and problem-solving attitude
- Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and manage projects
- Experience working in collection development or other collections-related areas in a library environment
- Excellent interpersonal, analytical, organizational, problem-solving, time management, and communication skills
- Strong service orientation and interest in anticipating and supporting information users’ values and needs
- Ability to engage in research, publication, and service consonant with the University’s and the Libraries’ guidelines for tenure and promotion
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with library-specific assessment tools and/or collections in an academic or research library environment
- Working knowledge of changing practices and business models for scholarly communication, especially open access models
- Experience managing, coaching, and mentoring staff and tenure-track faculty
- Experience using integrated library systems
- Experience developing business and assessment plans for new services
- Experience negotiating with library vendors
Environment
The University of Tennessee Libraries are an integral part of the flagship campus of Tennessee’s premier public research university. The University of Tennessee holds the Carnegie Foundation Research 1 designation, granted to doctoral universities with very high research activity. As a land-grant university and as Volunteers, serving our state and nation are key to our mission. UT enrolls approximately 40,421 students at its Knoxville campus. For more information about the people who comprise the UTK community, view resources on our Data Central website. The University culture is guided by adherence to core values that define the Volunteer spirit and include: seeking knowledge; leading with innovation and integrity; engaging locally and globally; and embracing responsible stewardship of resources.
The UT Libraries supports the teaching, research, and service mission of the university and enhances the academic experience of each student at the Knoxville campus—through outstanding print and electronic collections, reference and instructional services, and top-notch facilities and technological resources. The John C. Hodges Library in the heart of campus houses the majority of the UT Libraries' collections and many distinctive services. Two branch libraries offer specialized collections and services: the Webster C. Pendergrass Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine Library and the George F. DeVine Music Library.
The UT Libraries is a national leader in digital collections; in support of open access though our digital repository, TRACE; and through a rich history of designing innovative spaces and building key partnerships that enhance the teaching/learning enterprise. The UT Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries, the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries, HathiTrust, the Library Publishing Coalition, LYRASIS, and the Center for Research Libraries. The UT Libraries collaborates actively at the state level with the other University of Tennessee System libraries as well as the libraries in the Tennessee Board of Regents system.
We believe that engaging with individuals from all backgrounds and perspectives fosters a vibrant learning environment that enhances critical thinking and intellectual growth. Our collective strengths make us stronger, and we are committed to promoting an atmosphere where all members of the University community feel welcome, can thrive, and can achieve success.
Benefits
Appointment at the rank of Assistant/Associate Professor with a minimum salary of $73,000. Faculty rank and status; twelve-month, tenure-track appointment. Library faculty must meet University requirements for promotion and tenure.
Excellent benefits include 24 annual leave days; choice of state retirement plan (TCRS) or the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) (VOYA, TIAA) with nonrefundable contributions paid for the employee by the University; optional group health and life insurance plans. Tuition remission is available for all university employees and partial undergraduate tuition remission is available to dependent children and spouses of UT employees. New faculty will receive start-up funding in the amount of $10,000 allocated over a three-year period; annual support for travel & professional development.
The Provost's Faculty Recruitment and Hiring page has information on academic support, personal support, and living in Knoxville.
Application Procedures
A satisfactory background check, receipt of sexual misconduct attestation form (and satisfactory disclosures) and official transcripts are required prior to hiring. In order to be considered for candidacy, you must submit, via Interfolio at https://apply.interfolio.com/179788 a cover letter addressing the above qualifications, a current resume or CV, and the names, addresses, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of three recent references. Questions may be directed to Susan Pritchard, Manager of Libraries HR, srush2@utk.edu. Review of applications will begin on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.