The Board of Trustees of the Princeton Public Library (NJ) seeks an innovative and seasoned Executive Director to manage the Library’s stellar staff and to ensure that our award winning library continues to improve, innovate and grow as the town’s most valued public destination.   

 The Ideal Candidate:  The Executive Director will have the demonstrated ability to:

• Lead, motivate and manage a highly skilled and dedicated staff.
• Formulate and manage a budget.
• Sustain and strengthen current municipal operating and capital funding.
• Raise significant private sector funds.
• Oversee the progress of the Library’s 2019-2021 Strategic Plan, think critically and creatively to advance the Library’s mission and vision and express a clear vision for the future.
• Embrace all constituencies that comprise Princeton’s vibrant, diverse population.

Responsibilities:  The Executive Director reports to a nine-person Board of Trustees and is responsible for the overall management and direction of the Library through the collaboration and support of an extraordinary team of senior management personnel and talented, knowledgeable staff.  Specific responsibilities include:

• Leads library staff in a collaborative environment by maintaining a positive organizational climate.
• Develops and shares a vision that strengthens the Library’s position at the forefront of innovation and public engagement.
• Ensures library programs, services and collections are exemplary, available, inclusive, equitably distributed, representative of a variety of views, and responsive to the community, reflecting the library’s mission, vision and strategies.
• Exercises day-to-day supervision of direct reports, establishes individual goals and objectives that support the Library’s strategic initiatives, communicates expectations and provides the resources necessary for success.
• Promotes the use of library services, collections and facilities by the entire community; monitors library use, evaluates library effectiveness, makes adjustment to procedures and services, and reports on the use by community members. 
• Ensures the success of the Library’s fundraising efforts, including the annual appeal and endowment or capital campaigns by working with the development team to steward, cultivate and solicit donations as well as to generate new sources of revenue.
• Oversees the preparation of the Library’s annual operating and capital budgets and in cooperation with the Finance Director is responsible for executing those budgets in a fiscally responsible manner.
• Maintains positive, productive relationships with the members of the Library Board and external stakeholders including the elected municipal officials, municipal staff, community leaders and organizations, members of the Friends Council, members of the Foundation Board, donors and other funders, state and national library leadership, NJ State Library staff and members of the public.
• Prioritizes creating a welcoming, inclusive, appealing, safe, comfortable, sustainable and convenient facility and evaluates the design and layout of the Library for accessibility and ease of use by the public and for efficient staff work flow.   
• Ensures robust marketing and communication strategies in order to increase use of library services and participation in programs and events.
• Encourages and supports outreach efforts to the underserved and non-user populations.

The Princeton Public Library:  Established in 1909, the current 61,000 square foot Princeton Public Library is the most visited municipal library in New Jersey.  The Library serves a population of approximately 30,000 residents (as well as a large university population) that value the Library and view it as their favorite destination in the town.  There are 35 full-time and 35 part-time employees as well as 350 volunteers who are extremely dedicated to making the Library an outstanding public institution.  Consistently rated 5-stars on the LJ Index of Public Library Service, the Library has a 2019 operating budget of $5,581,591 and a capital budget of $287,500. 

The Princeton Community:  Renowned for the world-class university that shares its name, Princeton is a vibrant and diverse community located halfway between New York and Philadelphia. Princeton is home to scholars and artists affiliated with Princeton University, the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton Theological Seminary and Westminster Choir College. The town has first-rate municipal services, including award-winning public schools and ample open space for passive and active recreation. Princeton is home to the Tony Award-winning McCarter Theatre Center and has a dazzling array of other cultural opportunities year-round. Though its rich history dates to Colonial times, Princeton is a hub for contemporary discovery and innovation and is regularly included in lists of Best Places to Live. Additional information about the Library and the Princeton community can be found at https://princetonlibrary.org/information. 

Qualifications: An ALA-accredited Master’s Degree in Library Science, a New Jersey librarian certificate issued by Thomas Edison State University (or eligibility for immediately acquiring one) and a minimum of ten (10) years of public library management experience with a five year demonstrated record of significant success in the supervision of administration and operations.  Preference will be given to candidates with Director/Assistant Director experience or candidates who have successfully worked with a governing body of a large non-profit institution.  

In addition to fulfilling the major responsibilities and qualifications of this position, the successful candidate will also possess superior interpersonal and consensus building skills, show sensitivity and awareness of group dynamics and foster an environment of open and honest communication.  The new Executive Director will be an effective library leader who is able to demonstrate a strong commitment to securing the role of the Library as the major cultural, intellectual, and social heart of Princeton.    

Other Important Information:  New Jersey residency is required within one year of the date of hire.  Successful completion of a criminal and financial background check is also required. 

Compensation:  The salary for this position is highly competitive and includes an individualized compensation package.  Health coverage is subject to a NJ State mandated employee contribution and membership in the New Jersey Public Employee Retirement System is mandatory. 

Applications:  To apply, submit via e-mail a cover letter, resume and the contact information of three (3) quality job references that must include a current or former board member or supervisor to Bonnie Sprouls, Human Resources Director at bsprouls@princetonlibrary.org by July 31, 2019.  Applications received after that date may not be considered.   The Princeton Public Library is an ADA/EOE compliant employer.