The Rutgers University Libraries invite nominations and applications for the important position of Director of the Institute of Jazz Studies (IJS), the world’s foremost jazz archive and research facility. The Director will be an accomplished leader who provides the vision and energy required to fulfill the IJS mission to preserve and promote jazz as a living art form. Among other activities, s/he will lead IJS in development of services and programs that promote excellence in research, scholarship, and learning. The Director will oversee the continued growth and success of IJS through the management of all operations, maintaining the highest levels of productivity, integrity, and quality. S/he will spearhead the ongoing acquisition of important jazz research collections and supporting resources. The Director will maintain an active personal presence in the jazz world and represent IJS on the regional, national, and international stages.
Located at Rutgers University – Newark, the Institute of Jazz Studies collects, maintains, and makes available unique collections that include over 100,000 sound recordings, 100 distinct archival collections, over 30,000 photographs, extensive oral history collections, books, jazz periodicals, musical instruments, and other memorabilia. The collections support research by scholars and writers from around the world, musicians, arts institutions, record labels, students at all levels, and the media. The highly regarded Masters of Arts Program in Jazz History and Research at Rutgers University – Newark is supported directly by IJS collections and personnel. IJS maintains an active outreach program, furthering jazz education at all levels, and supports scholarship through the publication of the Journal of Jazz Studies, a leading English-language scholarly jazz journal, and the Studies in Jazz monograph series. The Institute currently has a dedicated faculty of five librarians and archivists, a staff collections specialist, and part-time employees.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Reporting to the Director of the Dana Library, is responsible for the administration and development of the Institute. Collaborates with the Dana Library Director and IJS and Rutgers teaching faculty to identify and pursue external funding sources, including individual donors and grant funding agencies, and plans and manages grant-funded projects. Oversees the solicitation, evaluation, and acceptance of gift collections. Works with the Associate Director to oversee all aspects of IJS operations and services, ensuring outstanding research services to a diverse scholarly and professional community and the broader public. Collaborates with the Head of Collection Services to prioritize and oversee the processing and preservation of archival collections in multiple formats. With IJS faculty and staff, interprets the collections and services of the Institute through programming – exhibitions, conferences, symposia, lectures, and musical performances – that provides broad exposure to IJS resources. Coordinates editorial work for the Journal of Jazz Studies. As a member of a university-wide faculty, is expected to participate in system-wide initiatives, committees, and task forces and to demonstrate commitment to continual professional development through scholarly research relevant to areas of responsibility, including publications, presentations, and participation and leadership in the work of relevant scholarly and professional associations. Mentors other IJS faculty in pursuit of these activities.
QUALIFICATIONS: Significant experience and exemplary scholarship in the study of American music, which includes an academic background as well as an MLS/MLIS from an ALA-accredited institution and/or a Master’s degree and/or doctorate in History, Archival Studies, Jazz Studies, Music, or a closely-related relevant advanced degree. The successful candidate must also have a strong record of leadership and service in one or more of the disciplines noted herein and experience working with donors of rare or archival materials. The successful candidate will possess extensive professional experience and accomplishment in academic or research library special collections, archives, or similar settings, or as an academic and researcher with relevant managerial and administrative experience. Must demonstrate or articulate a vision of the role of archival and special research collections in the delivery of information services to a diverse academic community and to the jazz world. Must be familiar with issues relating to managing and preserving digital collections. Must be able to meet tenure and promotion requirements. Desired skills include effective communication with library, archival and jazz studies colleagues, jazz professionals, teaching faculty, administration, students, and alumni and innovation and organizational abilities. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
SALARY: Salary and rank will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
STATUS/BENEFITS: Faculty status, calendar year appointment, retirement plans, life/health insurance, prescription drug, dental and eyeglass plans, tuition remission, one month vacation.
For more information go to the Libraries website: http://www.libraries.rutgers.