Director, Library Relations, North America

Job Title:  Director of Library Relations, North America

Location(s): New York, Jersey City, Washington D.C. or Philadelphia

About Springer Nature Group
Springer Nature opens the doors to discovery for researchers, educators, clinicians and other professionals. Every day, around the globe, our imprints, books, journals, platforms and technology solutions reach millions of people. For over 180 years our brands and imprints have been a trusted source of knowledge to these communities and today, more than ever, we see it as our responsibility to ensure that fundamental knowledge can be found, verified, understood and used by our communities – enabling them to improve outcomes, make progress, and benefit the generations that follow. Visit http://group.springernature.com/ and follow @SpringerNature / @SpringerNatureGroup

About the Role

The role of the Academic Affairs team is to help Springer Nature to proactively and systematically engage with key academic institutions, funding bodies and government agencies to understand their needs, influence their decisions and promote Springer Nature as constructive partners for collaboration with them.

To help Springer Nature’s efforts to proactively and systematically engage with key stakeholders in the academic librarian community, including librarian leaders at institutions, consortia and membership organizations, to understand their needs, influence their decisions and profile Springer Nature as constructive partners for collaboration, ultimately generating multiple valuable and sustainable co-operations to mutual benefit.  Reporting to the VP Academic Affairs, the Director of Library Relations, North America will lead library relations activities in USA and Canada, in close collaboration with colleagues in Academic and Government Affairs, Open Access and Institutional Sales and Marketing teams, publishing and editorial teams. 

Responsibilities:

Manage and iterate an overarching strategy and specific initiatives to maximize the mutual value of SN’s library relations

• In collaboration with Sales and customer engagement teams, review, refine and develop current and new engagement mechanisms with high-level librarian leaders, leaders of library consortia and, where relevant, other institutional influencers on library decision-making
• The strategy should consider major trends in the roles of libraries and librarians in the academic sector linked to broader changes to the global landscape and SN’s goals including the transition to Open Access/Public Access (OA/PA) and Transformative Agreements (TAs), the wider transition to open science techniques, dealing with security concerns and the evolving role of AI in research etc.
• Short term top priority: helping to promote the full transformation of US research in SN journals to OA/PA through TAs with libraries and consortia that meet the needs of the sector and SN’s business goals

Design, organize and run a series of multi-librarian events (program name TBD) in USA and Canada   

• Establish with target consortia and librarians their needs and constraints, match them with SN’s goals (especially OA/PA transition and TAs) and capabilities and use this as a basis for running frequent engaging events, sharing quantified benefits and case studies, providing thought leadership and practical solutions.
• Work with colleagues in sales, account development and customer engagement to invite key libraries to attend together with SN colleagues to prepare, attend, run events and oversee follow-up
• Evolve these into a key means via which we build a stronger and more constructive set of relationships and reputation with institutional libraries and consortia

Work with sales and account development to secure new TAs in targeted accounts   

• Lead the way in building relationships with and beyond target consortia and libraries to help their institutional leaders (Vice-Chancellors, Provosts, Deans of Research, etc.) to understand and appreciate the benefits of OA/PA and TAs to their institutions and the need for these to be funded.
• Work with them to access additional funding and support the transition to OA/PA and secure new TAs to enable this.

Manage and track relations with a subset of target organizations in USA and Canada   

• As directed by VP Academic Affairs, systematically build on existing contacts and regularly engage with librarian leaders from a defined subset of target organizations
• Work with colleagues in sales and account development to build a systematic understanding of key stakeholders within the target organizations, their responsibilities and the command structure among them
• Represent to these organizations the breadth of areas of common interest with SN (including those relevant to SN services etc.), our thought leadership activities in such areas and our constructive, open-minded and progressive approach to collaboration in such areas
• Contribute regular updates of all interactions with contacts to the VP, other SN stakeholders as required and the Academic Affairs CRM

Library champion within Springer Nature

• Act as a champion of libraries, their needs, constraints and behaviors within SN
• Contribute to dissemination of key findings from librarian interactions to stakeholders across SN, potentially including but not limited to Institutional Sales, E&P, Researcher Services, Government and Academic Affairs colleagues and stakeholder Hive group, a newsletter and ad hoc webinars/ blogposts.
• Complete strategic analyses of policy trends as required and make recommendations based on these for academic affairs priorities and broader company strategies

Experience, Skills & Qualifications 

• Advanced degree and/or equivalent experience in library / information science is preferred
• Minimum 10 years’ experience working at a senior level leading an academic library and/or relevant consortia, library membership organization etc.
• Strong, positive profile and reputation in the US library community
• Extensive knowledge of and experience with the research landscape
• Experience and understanding of the strategic imperatives in scholarly publishing
• Proven experience in successfully managing and influencing people
• Experience in developing, leading and implementing strategy
• Excellent relationship-building skills and knowledge of different internal functions and priorities
• Proven strategic abilities and the ability to adapt tactical implementation to changing circumstances/priorities
• Thorough understanding of the needs of organizations, institutions and other key external stakeholders
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong presentation skills
• Highly self-motivated, resourceful and achievement oriented
• A team player, with good collaboration skills and ability to work with cross functional teams to achieve company goals
• Good leadership and team-building qualities
• Good level of skills in data and statistical analysis
• Attention to detail in anticipating and ensuring that key aspects of performance and of new initiative proceed as they should

Springer Nature US provides a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes the benefit offerings listed below:

• Medical, Dental and Vision
• 401(k) with company match and contribution
• Hybrid office working policy, Summer Hours, and paid time off
• Flexible Spending and Commuter programs
• Multiple Life insurance options
• Disability coverage
• Tuition Assistance
• Voluntary benefits: Identity Theft Protection, Pet Insurance, and Legal Assistance Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Family friendly benefits and a variety of employee discounts
• An array of Employee Social Networks 

US Annualized Base Salary Range: $190,000 - $220,000. The salary offer may vary based on work experience, education, skill level and equity. The US salary range does not align with the salary ranges in other countries when converted to the currency of that country.

Springer Nature is an Equal Opportunity Employer that complies with the laws and regulations set forth in the following poster: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OFCCP/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights.pdf

At Springer Nature, we value the diversity of our teams and work to build an inclusive culture, where people are treated fairly and can bring their differences to work and thrive. We empower our colleagues and value their diverse perspectives as we strive to attract, nurture and develop the very best talent.

Springer Nature was awarded Diversity Team of the Year at the 2022 British Diversity Awards. Find out more about our DEI work HERE.

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