Job Board

The LPC maintains a list of jobs that incorporate library publishing roles. To be included in this list, the position must be located administratively in a library, or report directly to a library-based supervisor. The primary function(s) of the position must directly engage in the creation, dissemination, and/or curation of scholarly, creative, and/or educational works. Administrative positions that do not directly engage in these functions may be included if they include supervisory responsibility primarily for employees who are performing these functions.

April 1, 2020

Managing Director, Public Knowledge Project and Head, SFU Library Digital Publishing

  • Simon Fraser University
  • Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
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Simon Fraser University Library invites applications for the Head of Digital Publishing and Managing Director of the Public Knowledge Project (PKP). Reporting to the Associate Dean of Libraries, Digital Strategy and based at the W.A.C. Bennett Library, Burnaby campus, this full-time continuing position will be responsible for both managing PKP operations and supporting SFU faculty, staff, and students as Head of the Digital Publishing division within the Library.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the overall management of PKP’s day-to-day operations, finances, and employees. The PKP Managing Director is the chief advisor to the PKP Advisory Committee and develops and maintains productive working relationships with university, national, and international bodies and organizations. This position also co-leads the federally-funded Coalition Publica project with Érudit at the Université de Montréal. Working closely with the PKP Director, Associate Directors, and staff, the Managing Director ensures the Project remains innovative and is constantly looking for new ways to fulfill its mandate of opening access to knowledge.

Within the SFU Library, as the Head of the Digital Publishing division, the successful candidate will be responsible for developing services and strategic directions for digital publishing at the Library, overseeing staff in this small but growing Library division, and be a contributing member of the Library’s Strategic Plan Leadership Committee.

This position will appeal to an experienced leader with an ability to unify and motivate staff and stakeholders. The ideal candidate has a proven track record of working with a diverse community of partners and stakeholders to further a mission or mandate. They are passionate about the mission of PKP and the SFU Library and are energized to speak on behalf of those organizations. The position will be attractive to those with a high comfort level for risk and technological innovation, and will embody an entrepreneurial spirit as PKP continues to implement new systems and services while also developing a sound sustainability strategy. This environment will include opportunities to participate in research activities in a variety of ways in collaboration with colleagues at SFU and elsewhere.

SETTING

We acknowledge the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), səlílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) peoples, on whose traditional territories Simon Fraser University’s three campuses stand. By recognizing the Unceded Traditional Coast Salish territories, we aspire to create space for reconciliation through dialogue and decolonizing practices.

Ranked by respected national surveys as one of Canada’s top three comprehensive universities for the past 20 years, Simon Fraser University has also been consistently named one of British Columbia’s Top Employers in recent years, as well as one of Canada’s Top 100 employers, and one of Canada’s top family-friendly employers. SFU offers more than 100 undergraduate major and joint major programs and more than 45 graduate offerings, spanning many disciplines in eight faculties, and has an international reputation for its innovative interdisciplinary and professional programs. The main branch, W.A.C. Bennett Library, is located on the Burnaby campus, while the Samuel and Frances Belzberg Library is on the Vancouver campus, and Fraser Library is at SFU Surrey.

The SFU Library is known for the development and implementation of innovative technology, leadership in Open Access, and excellent in-person and online user services. We serve an ethnically diverse student population, most of whom live off-campus and work part-time while attending university. SFU Library collaborates broadly with other institutions through membership in the Canadian Association of Research Libraries, the Association of Research Libraries, and regional consortia. For more information, see our web site at https://www.lib.sfu.ca.

The SFU Library commits to a continuous process of transformation to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion and to serve the cause of social justice. The Library’s Statement on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion provides more information.

The SFU Library is the administrative home for PKP, a global initiative dedicated to improving the scholarly and public quality of research primarily through the provision of open source software such as Open Journal Systems (OJS) and Open Monograph Press (OMP). In 2020, over 10,000 journals are using OJS as their article submission review and publishing platform. PKP supports several publishing related services such as the PKP Preservation Network, the PKP Index, and an automated XML conversion service and preprint service (both in development). PKP is also involved in a number of research projects and provides online educational courses and related resources on scholarly publishing. Many PKP activities are conducted in a virtual environment with staff and users located around the world. Further information is available at pkp.sfu.ca.

ASSIGNMENT

  • Provide leadership and develop strategic priorities for both PKP and the SFU Library’s Digital Publishing division.
  • Oversee operations of PKP and SFU Library’s Digital Publishing division, including budget, staff, grants, and projects.
  • Advance the values and goals outlined in the Library’s Strategic Plan.
  • Lead and inspire in an environment of collegiality, respect, and teamwork.
  • Manage staff by directing and evaluating performance and providing leadership and guidance.
  • Coordinate with other SFU Library divisions, Office of the Vice-President Research, other University departments, and faculty.
  • Promote the work of PKP and the Library within the University, and represent SFU and PKP in campus, regional, national, and international forums.
  • Prepare and manage grant and funding proposals.
  • Provide assessment and review of the impact of PKP and the Digital Publishing division.
  • Develop a vision for Digital Publishing and PKP that integrates with the Library’s overall vision, and the overarching SFU vision to be Canada’s leading engaged university through innovative education, cutting-edge research, and community outreach.
  • Participate in library-wide leadership, strategic planning, and policy creation with the Dean, Associate Deans, and other Branch and Division Heads.
  • Co-lead the CFI-funded Coalition Publica project in association with the Executive Director of Érudit at the Université de Montréal.
  • Promote “open” initiatives through active participation in campus and external meetings, conferences, workshops, and other venues.
  • Maintain currency with developments in the profession and for scholarly publishing, and participate in relevant professional organizations at the regional and national level.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

  • Master’s degree in Library or Information Studies from an ALA accredited program, or its equivalent.
  • Five (5) or more years of experience, preferably in an academic or non-profit environment.
  • Demonstrated management skills, including team development, research project and grant management, program development, financial management, and ability to influence change and build consensus.
  • Demonstrated initiative and ability to adapt to changing environments and multiple deadlines, and to work well under pressure with discretion, tact, and good judgement.
  • Knowledge of trends in higher education, academic libraries, open research infrastructure, scholarly publishing, organizational development, and stakeholder management.
  • Ability to recognize, respect and work effectively with individuals and groups with diverse perspectives and backgrounds, in both physical and virtual work environments. Excellent intercultural communication skills, both oral and written.
  • A collaborative and transparent leadership style and excellent people management skills.
  • Ability to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion in both the Library and PKP.
  • Ability to travel frequently.

Preferred:

  • Demonstrated leadership/management experience, preferably in an academic or non-profit environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to maintain effective working relationships across multiple and diverse institutions, across levels within organizations from specialist to executive level.
  • Background in publishing and/or team-based software development.
  • Second graduate degree in a relevant field of specialization related to scholarly publishing or management.
  • Working knowledge of written and oral French.
  • Experience working with an advisory committee or board of directors.
  • Demonstrated commitment to engage in scholarship and service to the profession and the community.
  • Experience with PKP software (especially OJS), and/or comparable open source software, e.g. DSpace, Islandora, etc.
  • Experience with working in both onsite and virtual environments.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

This is a full time continuing Library Division Head position, beginning in the first half of 2020.

Librarians and Division Heads are members of the SFU Faculty Association. Terms, conditions and benefits of employment are outlined in the Collective Agreement: http://www.sfu.ca/content/dam/sfu/faculty-relations/home/CA.pdf.

The successful applicant will be appointed at a salary level commensurate with their experience and qualifications. SFU Librarian salary scales can be viewed here: https://www.sfu.ca/content/dam/sfu/faculty-relations/salary/June%2030%202019%20- %20Salary%20Scale.pdf.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Simon Fraser University is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from qualified candidates of all genders, visible minorities, persons of First Nations, Inuit, or Métis heritage, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ2SIA+ identified persons.

Under the authority of the University Act, personal information that is required by the University for academic appointment competitions will be collected. For further details see: http://www.sfu.ca/vpacademic/faculty_openings/Collection_Notice.html.

TO APPLY

To be given assured consideration, applications must be submitted by email in one consolidated PDF document with cover letter, curriculum vitae, and three references by 4:00 pm Pacific Time on May 9, 2020 to:

Susie Smith
Library Management Office
W.A.C. Bennett Library
Simon Fraser University
Phone: 778-782-4658
Email: library@sfu.ca