Description
Director for Research Services
Salary Range: Open rank (Associate for Full Librarian) with an anticipated salary range of $85,000-115,000, which is inclusive of an administrative stipend, which is renewable at established intervals.
Thank you for considering Binghamton University in your search.
About Binghamton University:
Binghamton University is a premier public R1 research institution in the State University of New York (SUNY) system that unites more than 130 broadly interdisciplinary educational programs with some of the most vibrant research in the nation. Our unique character - shaped by our mission, outstanding academics, facilities, and community life - promotes extraordinary student success, research, and service; Binghamton University is where our students, faculty and staff thrive. Working at Binghamton University is more than about having a great job - it is about having the opportunity to flourish in an exciting, engaging environment. Our faculty and staff appreciate Binghamton's collegial and inclusive culture and its commitment to excellence, education, innovation, and civic engagement. Our diverse campus community contributes to our success.
Binghamton merges rigorous academics, distinguished faculty who value cutting-edge and community-engaged research, teaching, and service, exceptional staff, and ultramodern facilities to engage and challenge its 18,000+ students. Our high-achieving student body represents diverse experiences from first-generation college-goers to international students. Beyond their talent, these classmates share a desire to shape the future through technology, insight, intellectual exploration, and community service.
Position Summary
About the Binghamton University Libraries:
The Binghamton University Libraries provides research collections in electronic (over 2 million and growing) and print (1.7 million items) formats with an extensive array of databases and e-packages (over 400), and archival and distinctive printed materials in Special Collections, as well as services and a variety of student-centered study spaces. With three public locations (Glenn G. Bartle Library, Science Library and the University Downtown Center Library) and an off-site Collections Management Facility, our aim is to provide access to primary research materials and resources befitting an R1 research institution.
Binghamton University Libraries seeks a collaborative, visionary, and service-oriented leader for the position of Director for Research Services. This role provides leadership to a newly-restructured department that is comprised of four units: Digital Scholarship Services, Liaison Services, Special Collections, and Teaching and Learning. The Director will combine a commitment to public service with a forward-thinking approach to evaluating and supporting emerging research methods, as well as apply evidence-based decision-making to continuously develop, implement, and assess library services in this portfolio to ensure University needs are met.
This newly-reorganized department presents a unique opportunity to shape its direction and ensure its success. The ideal candidate will have a background in academic research services, a passion for continuous improvement, and the ability to work collaboratively across departments and with external partners. Leadership, communication, problem-solving, and strategic planning skills are essential.
This position reports directly to the Senior Assistant Dean for Research, Learning and Access Services and serves as a member of the Dean’s Library Council.
Key Responsibilities
Librarianship:
Leadership and Strategy
Strategic vision: Work with the Senior Assistant Dean for Research, Learning and Access Services on strategic planning, as well as departmental and unit-level goal setting; define priorities for department and unit projects, activities, and innovations.
Service excellence: Prioritize excellence in instruction and research services across modalities, including application of inclusive pedagogy and universal design principles; support and lead professional development activities; assess the effectiveness and impact of research services.
Compliance: Work with the Senior Assistant Dean for Research, Learning and Access Services to ensure university policies and practices regarding accessibility and patron privacy are followed; stay informed of any evolving campus or professional guidelines or expectations to ensure department activities comply.
Embrace new challenges: Evaluate and recommend services and technologies that support established and emerging University research areas.
Transform data into insight: Maintain accurate statistics and workflow documentation. Analyze data trends, provide reports and information to library administration, and incorporate results into decision-making processes.
Lead and shape research services practices: Through active engagement in library consortia, professional organizations, and peer networks, advocate for and implement innovative approaches that advance the field, and foster collaborative relationships that improve the user experience.
Be a key contributor to Dean’s Library Council: Contribute meaningfully to the Dean’s Library Council; collaborate constructively with leadership to support shared goals and strategic direction; prioritize the overall success of the Libraries while maintaining departmental collaboration.
Supervision and Management
Team Leadership: Supervise the work of four assistant directors; collaboratively identify performance goals, provide ongoing feedback and guidance, and contribute to a supportive culture.
Collaborative communication: Foster communication among team members and with other library units; address questions and concerns as they arise and convey broader organizational context.
Professional growth: Stay at the forefront of the field by pursuing professional development opportunities, and integrating new knowledge and skills into the work of the department.
Foster Inclusivity: Participate in a work culture that promotes diversity and anti-racism and actively works to eliminate or mitigate the effects of systemic racism and bias.
Active Mentorship: Support professional development activities related to the duties in this department.
Scholarship:
Contributes significantly to the profession to meet the Libraries’ standards of scholarship.
Service:
Participates in library, University and national service.
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library or information science program or an ALA-approved foreign equivalent.
Minimum of five years of experience, in an academic or public library, or comparable environment, including at least two years in a supervisory position, with responsibilities in one or more of the following areas:
o reference
o information literacy instruction
o liaison services
o data services
o scholarly communication
o special collections
o support for grant writing
Commitment to high-quality service to users in a diverse, fast-paced environment, including the ability to resolve issues in a professional and respectful manner.
Effective written and oral communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and build productive relationships across departments.
Record of scholarly activity, such as presentations, publications and/or grants.
Preferred Qualifications
Demonstrated experience evaluating and improving research services by collecting and analyzing quantitative and/or qualitative data.
Experience leading professional development related to the duties in this department.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, please note that Binghamton University is not an E-Verify employer.
Additional Information
Binghamton University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the ADA Coordinator by completing the following Request Form.
Salary is commensurate with experience.
The State University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is the policy of Binghamton University to provide for and promote equal opportunity employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran or military service member status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or arrest and/or criminal conviction record unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.
As required by Title IX and its implementing regulations, Binghamton University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs and activities which it operates. This requirement extends to employment and admission. Inquiries about sex discrimination may be directed to the University Title IX Coordinator or directly to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR).
Contact information for the Title IX Coordinator and OCR, as well as the University's complete Non-Discrimination Notice may be found here.
Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.
Effective October 15, 2025, the University will fully implement Management Procedure 633 – Pre-Employment Background Checks. This policy applies to all new faculty and staff hires who will be placed on the University’s faculty/staff payroll.
Candidates selected for employment will receive a conditional offer of employment, contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Hiring managers are responsible for ensuring that the required HR-provided language is included in all offer letters. Employees may not begin work until the process is complete and HR has provided final clearance.
The background check process is managed by a third-party vendor and is designed to be fast and efficient, minimizing any impact on the hiring timeline. The presence of a conviction does not automatically disqualify an individual from employment. Each situation is reviewed in context, considering factors such as the nature, number, and date(s) of the conviction(s), and their relevance to the duties and responsibilities of the position.
This policy does not apply to current University employees. However, employees who have a break in service of more than six months and are subsequently re-employed will be subject to the same procedure.
For more information, please review the full policy here: https://www.binghamton.edu/operations/policies/policy-633.html.
Binghamton University is a tobacco-free campus effective August 1, 2017.
Application Process
To apply, submit the following materials via Interview Exchange application
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Cover letter
Contact information for three professional references
Applications will be reviewed beginning December 3, 2025 and the position will remain open until filled.
