Associate University Librarian, Collections
Library Administration, UBC Library | Vancouver Campus
Full-time, five-year renewable administrative appointment
Anticipated Start Date: April 1, 2026
UBC LIBRARY
As one of the world’s leading universities, the University of British Columbia creates an exceptional learning environment that fosters global citizenship, advances a civil and sustainable society, and supports outstanding research to serve the people of British Columbia, Canada and the world.
We honour, celebrate and thank the xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam) and Syilx Okanagan peoples on whose territories the main campuses of the University of British Columbia have the privilege to be situated.
The University of British Columbia Library is one of the largest academic libraries in Canada and consistently ranks among the top university research libraries in North America. UBC Library has 14 branches and divisions across two campuses (Vancouver and Kelowna), including an off-site hospital library; a multi-purpose teaching and learning facility, the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre; and the X̱wi7x̱wa Library, a centre for academic and community Indigenous scholarship. Almost 300 knowledgeable employees – librarians, management and professional staff, support staff and student staff – provide users with the excellent resources and services that they need to further their research, teaching and learning.
To highlight a few exciting projects that the Library recently completed in the Collections & Special Collections space:
- Opened a Conservation Space in September 2021.
- Recently hosted Guest Conservator from Fudan University for 100 days from October 2023 – January 2024.
- Opened the Wallace B. Chung and Madeline H. Chung Collection and the Phil Lind Klondike Gold Rush Collection in 2024.
- Migrated to OpenAthens as a licensed electronic resources authentication platform in June 2021. The migration has allowed for a rich dataset of usage for Collections Analysis and evidence-based decision making.
The UBC Library is committed to being a respectful, healthy environment that encourages leadership, collegiality, diversity, individual growth and opportunity. Explore our aspirational values that we strive to uphold and actively incorporate into all aspects of our organization. We are committed to eliminating institutional and structural systems of oppression and power (such as colonialism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, ableism, and white supremacy).
Learn more about the UBC Library Strategic Framework and about working with us.
Guided by UBC’s refreshed Strategic Plan, explore the University’s priorities and actions for the next three to five years.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Associate University Librarian (AUL) for Collections works as part of the Library Executive Team to advance the strategic directions of the Library and University with a specific focus on Collections. The AUL will assume overall responsibilities for the portfolio including the Collections Services Division. The Collections Services Division includes the following operations: licensing, one-time acquisitions, continuations acquisitions, electronic resources management, collections management and planning, interlibrary loan, conservation and preservation, and storage (two high-density storage facilities).
Works under the general direction of the University Librarian, and in collaboration with other members of the Library Executive Team, division/branch heads and managers, library teams and working groups, and other librarians, archivists and staff members, including at UBC Okanagan. Builds relationships with faculty, students and other branch employees in a manner reflective of the aspirational values of UBC Library. Interfaces with leadership from across the university’s two campuses, externally with vendors and consortia, and with community partners.
This position currently has one direct report, Head, Collections Services, who oversees a team of 28 employees.
This position is based at UBC Vancouver Point Grey campus. Remote work is possible according to UBC guidelines.
Please visit the UBC careers website to view the full position description and how to apply.
QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED
- Masters-level degree from an accredited program of library, or information science, or equivalent internationally accredited program.
- Proven leadership, administrative and managerial skills, along with ability to function effectively as a member of a senior management team working within a collegial environment, gained through at least 5 years of experience in mid to senior level library positions.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills.
- Significant experience leading negotiations with publishers, vendors and consortia, including pricing and license agreements.
- Experience managing collections in or for an academic or research environment.
- Significant proven experience working with and leading complex budgets, exchange rate challenges, and mitigating anticipated budget challenges.
- Experience building productive relationships and working collegially with a diverse population of colleagues and/or users in keeping with the UBC Respectful Environment Statement.
- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.
- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- Demonstrated understanding of the experiences of Indigenous people and communities.
- Ability to foster a team environment built on positive working relationships; provides guidance and resources to teams while trusting them to excel.
- Strong management skills and a demonstrated interest in fostering innovation and team building.
- Strong advocacy and change management skills; ability to build effective relationships that promote the Library’s needs within the University and the broader community.
PREFERRED
- Ability to create an environment that embraces curiosity, ideas, creativity and innovation and provides opportunities and flexibility to explore new initiatives.
- Experience leading team organization and workflow redesign to improve strategic alignment and operational effectiveness.
- Interest in and ability to contribute to the Library’s sense of community and achievement of common goals through cooperation across units/groups and encouragement of equitable and balanced involvement in decision making.
- Ability to promote and foster a supportive and open environment where everyone is able to listen, contribute and engage with colleagues and ideas and provide and receive timely, constructive feedback.
TERMS OF APPOINTMENT AND SALARY
Appointment:
This is a full-time appointment as AUL with an anticipated start date on or before April 1, 2026. The successful candidate will be appointed as a Librarian (base appointment) with a five-year renewable administrative appointment as AUL, Collections. Qualified candidates are eligible for a confirmed appointment.
The successful candidate will be a member of The University of British Columbia Faculty Association and the terms and conditions of appointment are governed by the Collective Agreement between UBC and the UBC Faculty Association (https://www.hr.ubc.ca/faculty-relations/collective-agreements/).
Eligibility: We are considering applications from librarians with a minimum of 5 years of mid to senior level professional library experience. Due to the unique nature of this innovative position and the limited applicant pool, there is no experience cap. Internal candidates are encouraged to apply.
Salary: Starting salary is $102,000 to $150,000 per annum. Actual salary offered will be commensurate with experience and academic/professional qualifications, as well as internal parity. UBC also offers a comprehensive benefits package. Information about salary increases can be found in the Collective Agreement: https://www.hr.ubc.ca/faculty-relations/collective-agreements/.
Benefits: Librarians and their dependents are eligible for an extensive benefits package including extended health care coverage, dental coverage, Employee and Family Assistance Program, life insurance, pension and travel benefits. To support families, UBC provides a top-up for eligible employees on maternity or parental leave. Tuition assistance is also available for qualifying employees and dependent children. In addition, librarians/archivists are eligible for professional development funding to support career growth at the university, as well as study leave. Details are available in the Collective Agreement, and for more information see UBC Human Resources: https://hr.ubc.ca/benefits/eligibility-enrolment/employee-groups. Additional information about relocation to UBC Vancouver can be found: https://hr.ubc.ca/working-ubc/housing-and-relocation-services.
UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply.
Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications will include: a detailed and current curriculum vitae; and a letter of application that includes a statement of citizenship/immigration status and indicates the candidate’s education, training and work experience in the areas listed above, as well as how you heard about this opportunity. One consolidated PDF is preferred.
Please visit the UBC careers website to view the full position description and on how to apply. The application deadline will be at 11:59 p.m. on December 4, 2025.
