Director of the Library

Department: NUQ Library

Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) seeks an outstanding Director of the NU-Q Library. The Director of the NU-Q Library guides a team of library professionals with vision and purpose in support of NU-Q vision of excellence in teaching, research, and mediamaking. Reporting to the Associate Dean for Education, the Director of the NU-Q Library will provide collaborative leadership and strategic direction to the programs, services, initiatives, and collections of the NU-Q Library. The successful candidate will be a forward-thinking professional who is enthusiastic about advancing research, teaching, learning, and practice through access to NU-Q Library resources, and knowledgeable about the complex nature of building, supervising, managing, and mentoring a collaborative team. The Director of the NU-Q Library will facilitate partnerships in education and knowledge creation within Northwestern and beyond.

Core Mission:

- Commitment to the core mission of NU-Q as a global community of evidence-based storytellers guided by the core values of excellence, collaboration, community, and sustainability

- Leadership and Strategic Vision

- Administration and Supervision

- Campus Engagement

- Professional and Ethical Practices and Innovation

- Assessment and Continuous Improvement

The NU-Q Library is a user-focused library and serves the research and educational needs of NU-Q faculty, staff, and students. The growing collection is made up of print, DVD/Blu-ray, and electronic resources purchased and provided to support the curricular needs of the Communication Program which offers Media Industries and Technology major, the Journalism and Strategic Communication Program which offers Journalism major, and the Liberal Arts Program. The NU-Q Library’s core mission is to coordinate and deliver robust reference services both in-person and online, supporting research and learning across disciplines.

The Director of the NU-Q Library supports the university leadership and is responsible for the overall management and administration of the NU-Q library. The Director of the NU-Q Library oversees all aspects of NU-Q Library staffing-from recruitment and onboarding to performance evaluation and professional growth-while fostering a collaborative work environment. With a keen eye on strategic planning and strategic resource management, the Director of the NU-Q Library develops and administers departmental budgets to ensure operational excellence. As a passionate advocate for the NU-Q Library's core mission and services, the Director of the NU-Q Library builds strong relationships with campus leadership and stakeholders, championing the library's essential role in academic excellence and student success. Through thoughtful planning and continuous assessment, the Director of the NU-Q Library drives the development of innovative research support services and information resources. By partnering with faculty, academic departments, and student support teams, the Director of the NU-Q Library helps elevate community members’ learning outcomes and ensures the library remains a vital, evolving hub of intellectual engagement. The Director of the NU-Q Library fosters a culture of shared governance; advances the library culture of assessment through data collection; engages in evidence-based decision-making practices; and promotes a culture of accessibility, accountability, innovation, and ethical practices.

There are also opportunities to collaborate with NU-Q’s Institute for Advanced Study of the Global South (IAS), Artificial Intelligence and Media Lab (AIM-Lab), and Media Majlis Museum (MMM). The IAS in the Global South at NU-Q (#IAS_NUQ) produces and promotes evidence-based storytelling focused on the histories, cultures, societies, and media of the Global South. The AIM-LAB at NU-Q produces and promotes data-based storytelling focused on the intersection of artificial intelligence and media. MMM at NU-Q is a museum dedicated to exploring journalism, communication, media and art.

In the era of digital technologies and AI, libraries in media schools need to transition from a conventional resource center into an active catalyst for digital storytelling, research advancement, and ethical media innovation. They curate and provide access to multimedia collections, data journalism resources, AI-driven production tools, and cutting-edge media technologies. Beyond access, libraries in media schools are expected to cultivate advanced information literacy, AI literacy, critical understanding of algorithms, copyright compliance, academic integrity, and responsible AI integration in creative projects. They partner with faculty, staff, and students to confront misinformation, deepfakes, and data ethics challenges while upholding the highest standards of media research, media production, journalism practice, and creative scholarship.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Ph.D. in a subject area relevant to the core mission of Northwestern University in Qatar (communication studies, media studies, media design, cinema studies, journalism studies, liberal arts, etc.)

Required Qualifications:

- Master’s degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) from an ALA-accredited program.

- Minimum of 6 years of successful progressive leadership experience in university libraries (e.g., Assistant Director of Library and then Associate Director of Library required to support the Director of Library).

- Proven experience in and strong record of supervising, training, mentoring, and evaluating librarian faculty and staff members, fostering professional growth, contribution, and collaboration

- Proven experience in and strong record of developing and delivering library faculty/staff development programs

- Proven experience in and strong record of annual assessment of library services and implementation of long-term strategies for the growth and innovation of library services

- Proven experience in and strong record of data collection and data analytics to inform evidence-based decision-making and service improvements

- Proven experience in and strong record of assessment of the effectiveness of library services, spaces, and collections in advancing student success and academic excellence

- Proven experience in and strong record of adoption of emerging technologies and innovative practices to enhance access, discovery, and research support

- Proven experience in and strong record of development and implementation of strategic initiatives that support institutional goals and accreditation requirements

- Proven experience in and strong record of university teaching and instructional design for information literacy

- Proven experience in and strong record of developing programs that showcase the role of university libraries in research, curricular use, and community engagement

- Proven experience in strategic planning, assessment practices, and advocacy in higher education environments.

- Proven experience in and strong record of building and maintaining effective partnerships and collaborations between the library, university leadership, academic departments, and the broader university community

- Proven experience in and strong record of dedication to student success

- Solid understanding of the organizational structure, organizational workflows, and approval chains in top-tier universities

- Extensive knowledge of a broad range of issues and emerging trends in managing, collecting, and providing access to academic/university libraries

- Knowledge of Open Education Resources (OER) and affordable learning initiatives

- Comprehensive familiarity with the current trends in academic libraries, media schools, digital scholarship, and student learning support.

- Proven experience in budget and grant development and management

- Excellent communication, collaborative, interpersonal, and organizational skills

- Strong record of professional engagement and contribution, such as research, publications, and involvement in professional and scholarly organizations

- Strong record of progressively responsible experience working with a multidisciplinary team in academic/university libraries, including supervisory and leadership roles.

- Proven experience in and strong interest in applying new and emerging technologies to Library collections and archives, including digital scholarship and digital humanities initiatives

- Ability to demonstrate a calm, courteous, and professional demeanor when working with a variety of situations and/or people.

- Vision for leveraging emerging technologies, including the ethical application and use of artificial intelligence for library resources, services, and assessment

- Experience with collection development and maintenance, including databases and resources

Please note this position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Responsibilities:

- Provide leadership to and management of a forward-thinking NU-Q Library, by playing a dynamic leadership role, guiding a team of library professionals with vision and purpose

- Oversee all aspects of staffing-from recruitment and onboarding to performance evaluation and professional growth-while fostering a collaborative work environment

- With a keen eye on strategic resource management, the Director develops and administers departmental budgets to ensure operational excellence.

- Articulate a compelling vision for the NU-Q Library and the value of the NU-Q Library in supporting research, teaching, learning, and community engagement that aligns with the NU-Q Library’s core mission and strategic directions

- Provide vision for NU-Q Library collection development and stewardship. Establish priorities and develop policies that guide the development of library collections in alignment with the core mission of NU-Q

- Establish strategic directions and priorities for a range of user-centered services and programs that create exceptional experiences for the Northwestern community in support of their research, teaching, learning and practice with NU-Q Library resources

- Provide leadership and oversight to the development of staff development programs and initiatives that establish the NU-Q Library as a dynamic and innovative teaching and learning resource at Northwestern

- Provide overall direction for a team of 7 librarian faculty and staff members. Directly supervise Library faculty/staff members including librarians, library associate, and library assistants. Coordinate the department work. Provide mentorship, advocacy and support to all department staff and foster their professional engagement and growth

- Build and nurture collaborations and partnerships within the library, with faculty, academic departments, and the broader Northwestern community that strengthen and promote the key role and core mission of the NU-Q Library in research, teaching, and community engagement

- Collaborate with library departments to advance the library’s digital transformation agenda to broaden discovery, access, and preservation of primary source materials in support of research and academic pursuits

- Represent the NU-Q library in initiatives and events related to the strategic vision and priorities of the university within and outside NU-Q. Contribute to the library’s leadership role in the field through projects, presentations, scholarship, and active participation in relevant professional organizations

The anticipated salary range is $100,000 – $110,000 Commensurate with experience and qualifications. The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate including years since terminal degree, training, and field or discipline; departmental budget availability; internal comparators; and external market pay for comparable jobs.

NU-Q is a community of evidence-based storytellers in the Global South. We are a globally embedded institution, being one of three campuses of Northwestern University (Chicago, Doha, Evanston) and one of several partner universities in the Qatar Foundation’s Education City in Doha, Qatar. Our mission is to mentor and educate students to become creative, ethical, and impactful communicators across cultural and national boundaries. We are committed to a vibrant student life, academic excellence, and high-level undergraduate student research and media making, particularly on the Global South. Located at the confluence of continents, NU-Q is a multidisciplinary global community with approximately 500 students from 60 countries.

NU-Q provides competitive compensation and benefits. The medium of instruction is English, but proficiency in Arabic or another regional language is an advantage at NU-Q. Candidates with experience in US higher education as well as in the Arab region are particularly encouraged to apply. Northwestern University in Qatar is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Applications received by June 1, 2026, will receive the highest priority so that the start date can be as early as possible. The search will continue until the position is filled or the search closed.

Please read ALL instructions and make preparations before proceeding to the application page:

• Applications will only be accepted via online submission (see link below).
• Please prepare all documents in advance as Adobe PDF files, and please be sure all information is entered correctly and accurately (especially names and email addresses), as there will be no opportunity for online revision after your application has been submitted.
• Please also prepare a list of names and email addresses for your external academic references; your references will be contacted directly by the online system and invited to upload their letters on your behalf.
• All required fields in the application form are marked with an asterisk and must be filled before clicking the “Submit” button.
• Be aware that incomplete applications cannot be saved.

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Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.