Managing Director, APWA (University Archives)

We are seeking a Managing Director, APWA (Library Unit Manager) for the American Prison Writing Archive (APWA) who will combine strategic vision, operational leadership, and public engagement to guide staff in executing APWA leadership's vision of a robust, sustainable, and widely recognized collection of nonfiction writing about the American prison system.

To learn more about the APWA, visit

THIS IS A 12-MONTH, GRANT-FUNDED POSITION. (With the possibility of extension)

General Summary

• Responsible for the operational functions in a unit with focused areas of expertise.
• Supervises mainly non-exempt staff.
• Works within a unit of a larger department to ensure compliance with overall library strategies, policies, and efficient and effective performance of staff.
• Functions with a degree of independence and possesses a thorough knowledge of professional principles, methods, practices, and programs.

• Serve as a unit head with operational responsibility.
• Ensure unit goals align with the department, libraries and institutions' strategic plans.
• Hire, train, and manage staff including conducting performance evaluations and supporting professional development needs of staff.
• Provide operational supervision that supports the libraries' objectives.
• Create and implement policies and procedures to ensure efficient and effective operations.
• Stay apprised of new developments in various operational areas.
• Assist in the strategic direction of the department through their unit.
• Assist in the design to measure and assess the unit in alignment with broader departmental assessments to ensure effective and efficient delivery of services and use of resources.
• Assist in the preparation of reports that demonstrate the value of the unit.
• Work with the department manager to gather appropriate statistics for external reporting.
• Collaborate with other library services managers within the library.
• Serve on library-wide committees and working groups.
• Actively engage in regional, consortia, or national, library programs.
• Share decision-making and planning duties with current co-directors.
• Focus areas for shared executive function include project prioritization and implementation as well as strategic vision of the archive.
• Ensure the APWA adheres to its ethical commitment to equitably engaging system-impact individuals in the APWA's decision-making processes
• Lead the daily operations and expansion of the APWA by developing familiarity with staff's day-to-day work, archival operations, external projects, and the vision and decision of fellow co-directors.
• Lead efforts to apply for grant renewal informed by project growth and sustainability.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Master's Degree in Library Science or related field.
• Three years of related experience.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• Significant leadership experience in an organization, program, or institute directly related or adjacent to archives, libraries, incarceration, writing programs, publishing, legal.
• Experience with, and understanding of, the carceral environment.
• Grant writing experience.
• Experience with Workday or SAP.
• Advanced knowledge of Spanish.

• Prior experience in organizational or project management.