University Librarian

Kwantlen Polytechnique University; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced University Librarian to advance library services and support academic goals. This role requires strong leadership and strategic planning, focusing on managing library budgets and fostering inclusive programs. The ideal candidate will possess significant library administrative leadership experience and hold a relevant master's degree. The position involves leading a diverse team, advocating for library initiatives, and enhancing student and faculty support. Travel between campuses will be necessary.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive library administrative leadership in an academic or research setting.
• Experience working in a unionized environment, applying collective agreements.
• Ability to advocate for library services across the institution.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support library employees, aligning services with university priorities.
• Manage budgets and oversee all library functions and services.
• Design inclusive programs that support diverse community needs.

Skills

Leadership

Knowledge of library technologies

Budget management

Collaborative work style

Decision-making

Education

ALA-accredited Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS)

Job description

The Opportunity

Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) is seeking a strategic and visionary University Librarian to lead Library Services in advancing the University’s academic mission. Reporting to the Provost & Vice-President Academic, this role provides leadership in academic planning, resource management, and service development, ensuring that library programs and operations align with evolving institutional priorities and the changing needs of students and faculty.

As the senior leader for the Library, you will champion both the Library’s diverse user community and the employees who support them. You will bring a forward-looking understanding of emerging trends in higher education and academic libraries, and you will foster an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performance culture while shaping a clear and compelling vision for the Library’s future.
As University Librarian, you will:

• Lead, coach, and support the Divisional Business Manager and Librarian faculty, setting shared goals, guiding performance, and fostering a collaborative culture.
• Support positive employee and labour relations by administering collective agreements, representing management in grievances, and consulting with HR on interpretation and processes.
• Model high standards of professional practice, service excellence, and continuous learning through training, education, and assigned duties.
• Promote and maintain a safe, equitable, respectful, and inclusive workplace rooted in University policies and mandatory training.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the planning, organization, coordination, and evaluation of all library functions and services.
• Develop, implement, and monitor strategic and annual library plans that align with institutional goals and academic priorities.
• Prepare, recommend, and oversee library budgets in collaboration with the Divisional Business Manager, ensuring responsible resource management.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, training, evaluation, and ongoing professional development for Library faculty, management, and staff.
• Develop, implement, and review library policies; guide technology initiatives in partnership with IT; and oversee physical library facilities, including renovations and construction planning.
• Ensure effective access to library collections, technology, spaces, and services that support teaching, learning, research, and social learning.
• Represent and advocate for the Library through committee leadership, participation in provincial, regional, and national initiatives, professional associations, and inter-institutional collaborations.
• Design inclusive programs aligned with KPU’s access mandate; support Indigenous community needs through the Indigenous Services Librarian; and provide leadership for copyright and archives while cultivating strong internal and external relationships.

What You Bring

You are an experienced and strategic library leader with deep knowledge of academic library operations, emerging trends in information and library technologies, and the evolving landscape of higher education. You bring a collaborative, inclusive leadership style, strong decision-making abilities, and a proven record of managing people, budgets, facilities, and organizational change within complex environments. Your communication skills, relationship-building approach, and commitment to equitable and innovative practices enable you to inspire teams and advance the Library’s vision.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Holds an ALA-accredited Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) or equivalent.
• Brings at least five years of progressive library administrative leadership, plus five years of librarian experience (preferably in an academic or research setting), or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Has extensive experience managing budgets, facilities, and personnel in complex environments.
• Understands and has experience working within a unionized setting and applying collective agreements.
• Demonstrates strong leadership, vision, and knowledge of information and library technology trends.
• Possesses deep knowledge of academic library operations, automation systems, and technologies that support teaching, learning, and scholarship.
  Is an effective communicator and presenter who can advocate for the Library across the institution and beyond.
• Has a proven ability to plan, implement, and assess strategies and services that advance institutional goals.
• Fosters inclusive, collaborative, and innovative work environments and brings strong team-building and change-management skills.
• Demonstrates strong problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict-resolution abilities, with consistent follow-through on plans and initiatives.

The Location

KPU is a multi-campus institution. The Library Services offices are located on the Surrey campus, however, frequent travel between campuses will be required.

Want to know more? Click here to view the full job description.

Application Process

To apply for this opportunity, please submit your cover letter and resume as one document via KPU’s Career Centre. Resume review will be conducted on January 5, 2026; however, the competition will remain open until filled.

For inquiries or recommendations related to this position, please contact:

Evita Gandhi
Interim Talent Acquisition Specialist
Email: [e-mail]

Salary Information

The above compensation range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. Typically, initial salary placement is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum. This represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and approximately halfway of the salary range for a job with consideration given to internal equity.