Head of Health Academic and Research Engagement

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As one of the premier libraries in the South, we are an essential partner in the research, education, clinical care, and public service missions of UNC-Chapel Hill. The library system includes 10 on-campus Libraries, with nearly 10 million volumes, rich archival collections, and a growing investment in digital collections.

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Reporting to the Health Sciences Library ( HSL) Director, the Head of Health Academic and Research Engagement, will oversee a department of liaison librarians who support health sciences faculty, students, and researchers. The Head of Health Academic, and Research Engagement ( HARE) will provide vision, direction, and coordination for existing and future services designed to advance the mission of our partners at UNC.

The Health Academic, and Research Engagement ( HARE) team at HSL includes up to 7 health sciences librarians and 2 part-time graduate assistants who support and partner with the Adams School of Dentistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Gillings School of Global Public Health, and UNC School of Nursing. Liaison librarians provide course- and curriculum-integrated instruction; curriculum-planning support; educational programs and workshops; and expert literature searching. Staff also support and partner on research with health affairs faculty and students and support scholarly communications.

The Head of HARE will oversee day-to-day operations, mentor and lead the team, and ensure that engagement and partnerships are strategically aligned with the priorities of other HSL departments, related units across University Libraries, and those of UNC campus. The Head of HARE will work closely with other departments at HSL and across University Libraries including with Clinical and Statewide Engagement (CaSE), Health Research Services ( HRS), and Research and Instructional Services. The position will connect regularly through dotted line relationships with these and other department heads across University Libraries to develop and plan innovative, technology-driven services for campus partners, to coordinate event programming and outreach, and to ensure consistency of services.

Campus partners include administrators, faculty, staff, clinicians, residents, postdocs, fellows, and students in the UNC Medical Center, the five health affairs schools, and other campus units. Other campus partners that the Libraries engage with regularly include the Office of Interprofessional Education and Practice ( IPEP), Carolina Health Informatics Program ( CHIP), North Carolina Translational and Clinical Science (NC TraCS), and UNC School of Library and Information Science ( SILS).

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

Requires the Masters in Library Science ( MLS) degree (or foreign degree equivalent). In specialized libraries, may substitute an advanced degree in the field of specialization (e.g., legal degree for a law library, or a history degree for a special historical collection within the library setting).

ALA-accredited master's degree in library or information science or a relevant advanced degree.
A minimum of 3 years related professional work experience in library, health-related, or research settings.
Experience supervising and mentoring staff, including a strong commitment to collaborative teamwork through effective communication and coordination across teams.
Demonstrated ability to manage and coordinate a project with multiple parts and many stakeholders.
Excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills.
Experience creating welcoming and inclusive learning and research environments.
Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with an array of user communities, including students, faculty, researchers, colleagues, and community members.

Excellent judgment, organizational, and analytical skills including ability to multitask and set priorities in a dynamic environment.
Experience designing, developing, and implementing library services.
Experience with evaluation and assessment of services in response to user feedback and evolving trends.
Demonstrated interest in the evolving landscape of academic libraries including a commitment to innovation, flexibility, and willingness to explore and adopt new technologies and approaches.
Experience providing search and knowledge management support for large literature reviews including systematic reviews, with documented research experience in academic or clinical settings.
Conversant with educational competency requirements in health professions including assessment of competencies.
Conversant or experience with interprofessional education and practice.

For a more detailed vacancy announcement, please visit:

A minimum of three references are required upon application submission.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.