Head Academic Librarian

Region: National
Full-time Position

Reporting to:

Dean: Postgraduate Studies and Research

The successful applicant will meet the following requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems Management or Information Science
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in the tertiary education library environment
• Ongoing development in academic library procedures
• A good understanding of academic library trends, specifically in distance education
• Be skilled at literature searching and reference management
• Have experience with emerging technologies, particularly in the areas of digital and social media, to support library users
• Subject-specific knowledge or expertise in a particular function, for example, IT resources or resource ordering

Job Description:

The job purpose of the Head Academic Library at the IMM Graduate School involves the following:

• Overseeing Knowledge Centre and eLibrary operations and services to support the institution’s academic programs in Marketing and Supply Chain.
• Developing and maintaining a relevant, up-to-date collection of resources (both print and digital) focused on these specialisations.
• Collaborating with faculty to ensure library resources align with curriculum needs and research interests.
• Implementing and managing information literacy training to enhance students’ research skills.
• Supervising library staff and managing the library budget.
• Staying current with trends in academic librarianship, particularly in fields related to Marketing and Supply Chain.
• Facilitating access to specialised databases, journals, and industry reports relevant to the institution’s focus areas.
• Fostering partnerships with other libraries, academic institutions, and relevant industry organisations.
• Integrating emerging technologies to improve library services and resource accessibility.
• Supporting faculty and student research through specialised research assistance and services.

Competencies:                     

• Leadership and management skills 

Ability to inspire and motivate staff 

Strategic thinking and decision-making capabilities 

• Excellent communication skills 

Both written and verbal, for interacting with diverse stakeholders 

Presentation skills for promoting library services 

• Adaptability and innovation 

Openness to change and new ideas 

Ability to lead digital transformation initiatives 

• Emotional intelligence 

Empathy and interpersonal skills for managing staff and user relations 

Conflict resolution abilities 

• Project management 

Planning and organising skills for overseeing multiple initiatives 

• Financial acumen 

Understanding of budgeting and resource allocation 

• Marketing and advocacy skills 

Ability to promote library services and demonstrate their value 

• Technological proficiency 

Familiarity with library management systems and emerging technologies 

• Data analysis skills 

Ability to interpret usage statistics and other metrics for decision-making 

• Cultural competence 

Understanding of diverse user needs and inclusive practices 

• Negotiation skills 

For dealing with resource providers and stakeholders 

• Continuous learning mindset 

Commitment to staying current with library trends and best practices 

• Problem-solving abilities 

Analytical thinking to address complex library and user issues

Duties and responsibilities :

• Strategic planning and leadership

Developing long-term plans for library growth and improvement

Aligning library services with the institution’s mission and goals

• Collection development and management

Overseeing the acquisition, organisation, and maintenance of library resources

Ensuring the collection meets academic needs across disciplines

• Budget management

Allocating funds for resources, staffing, and operations

Seeking additional funding through grants or donations when necessary

• Staff supervision and development

Hiring, training, and evaluating library staff

Promoting professional development opportunities

• Technology integration

Implementing and managing library systems and digital resources

Staying current with emerging technologies in library science

• Collaboration with faculty and administration

Partnering with academic departments to support curriculum needs

Representing the library in institutional committees and meetings

• Information literacy and instruction

Developing programs to enhance students’ research skills

Coordinating library instruction sessions and workshops

• Policy development and implementation

Creating and enforcing library policies and procedures

Ensuring compliance with copyright laws and licensing agreements

• Outreach and partnership building

Fostering relationships with other libraries and institutions

Engaging with the academic community to promote library services

• Assessment and reporting

Evaluating library services and resources for effectiveness

Preparing reports on library usage, impact, and needs

Application Information

Closing Date: 31 January 2026
Commencement: February 2026

To Apply:

Please submit your application by following the instructions on the application form available at this link:

https://forms.gle/RbE5HJycL7D3GTxs6

The form can also be found below.

Successful applicants will be contacted within 2 weeks of the closing date.

Should you receive no communication, please consider your application unsuccessful.