Utrecht University Library (UUL) is looking for a Head of Department who will provide leadership within the Academic Services sector. Scientific research and education are changing rapidly along the lines of open science principles and increasing digitization. The University Library is developing its services in line with these trends.

The Academic Services sector (approx. 36 FTEs) develops its products and services together with the other library sectors and in direct interaction with researchers, teaching staff and students. The Library offers a wide range of services in areas such as open access publishing, copyright, research data management, reproducible coding and software, information literacy skills training, digital humanities and collections. Due to the sector's growth we are looking for a third Head of Department.

Job description
As Head of Department you are responsible for one or more work areas and the associated services. Together with the teams you manage, you develop research and educational support within a continuously changing environment. In doing so, you have an eye for maintaining the high quality and implementation of existing services. Together with your teams and in cooperation with a total of nine Heads of Department at UUL, you develop ideas and proposals in the field of your own work area(s). You are aware of internal and external developments and check their relevance for the organization. Naturally, you ensure careful coordination with the Library's management team. The services of the University Library are often realized in cooperation with partners, both within and outside Utrecht University. Therefore you are in an excellent position to represent the University Library in these collaborations.

As one of the three Heads within AS, you will supervise approximately 15 employees (approx. 12 FTEs),  spread over the two locations of UUL, in the Utrecht Science Park and the city center. Together with your colleagues, you build a strong organization, enabling employees to respond flexibly to the changing environment. You have an eye for the qualities and competences present and motivate them to continue their personal development. In addition, you attract employees with new competencies, in order for the Library to continue offering high-quality services to the academic community. We work in a result-oriented way and throughout the organization we work towards a more task-oriented culture.

Your activities:

• responsible for the management and further development of products and services to facilitate academic education and research. The distribution of the work areas is done in consultation;
• ensuring a good working climate and the desired culture in the department. When managing independent and highly educated professionals, your natural repertoire includes coaching leadership, giving trust and connecting, as well as addressing responsibilities and results;
• active and initiating participation in the University Library's management team and together shaping the translation of the Library's strategic agenda to staff, and new services and preparing policy proposals;
• ensuring clear agreements and processes within your work area(s), organizing cohesion and cooperation and, together with the other Heads of Department, acting as a bridge between the departments within the library and beyond;
• building and maintaining a network and participating in partnerships of various partners, both within Utrecht University and on an (inter)national level.

• an academic degree;
• relevant experience in managing organizations in change processes and developing new services;
• demonstrable leadership experience in managing highly educated independent professionals, preferably in an academic environment;
• knowledge of, or affinity with, the provision of scientific information is recommended.

This position requires strong communication skills and personal competences such as result-orientedness, persuasiveness, connecting leadership, organizational sensitivity and entrepreneurship. We work in an international context and part of our meetings take place in English. Therefore candidates are requested to have an excellent command of both Dutch and English (level C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

We offer a 1-year contract (0.8 - 1.0 FTE) with the prospect of a permanent employment contract, if proven suitable. The maximum gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience  - is €5,943 (scale 12 according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year. In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). More information about working at Utrecht University can be found here.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

Utrecht University Library is a reliable partner for researchers, lecturers and students in the field of scientific information provision. We use our expertise to continuously improve the scientific communication cycle. We inspire people to connect and exchange knowledge. We organize our services in close cooperation with other parties within and outside Utrecht University, transcending the boundaries between the disciplines.