DIRECTOR OF NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES

The St. Louis Public Library is seeking a visionary and dynamic Director of Neighborhood Services. Our ideal candidate is an innovative, engaged leader dedicated to advancing our primary mission as a customer-centered public library providing vital services to the citizens of St. Louis. With an extensive network of historic and unique neighborhood libraries that serve as cornerstones of the community, we require a Director who is both experienced and enthusiastic. This role demands a high-level collaborator capable of facilitating synergy across multiple departments to ensure a consistent service experience. The successful candidate will be a skilled team-builder with a proven ability to blend traditional library values with leading-edge service models in an environment of continuous evolution. Key responsibilities include making critical strategic decisions regarding policy, direction, and the overall customer experience, all rooted in data analysis and leadership excellence.

In this role you will:

• Work with staff at fifteen library locations to ensure a high level of customer service and overall user experience.

• Provide high-level supervision and mentorship to four regional managers, overseeing all aspects of talent management including recruitment, professional development, and performance evaluation.

• Motivate and coach staff to embrace change and efficiency while upholding the library’s mission, strategic plan, and policies.

• Lead or participate in a variety of cross-functional teams, advocating for innovation and excellence throughout the library system.

• Propose and manage an annual budget for the neighborhood library system, ensuring fiscal responsibility and strategic alignment with organizational goals.

• Synthesize complex data into actionable insights and present compelling information to staff, board members, and external stakeholders regarding library trends and service metrics.

• Maintain positive and productive working relationships with colleagues at all levels and in all departments.

• Assist in the development of service policies and procedures.

• Serve on Library Council, SLPL’s leadership team, and Public Services leadership team.

You’ll need to be:

• Strategic about engaging managers and staff to think creatively to provide excellent service.

• Able to see the big picture and promote consistency and excellence of service in a customer-first environment while also understanding how details contribute to the customer experience.

• Familiar with trends in public-library services, and able to determine which might be effective at SLPL.

• Capable of efficiently and effectively leading team meetings and system-wide committees.

• Flexible, positive, and willing to work with staff and colleagues to successfully overcome challenges.

• Organized and able to work with competing tasks and priorities.

• Demonstrate decisive leadership and accountability for making timely, high-impact decisions regarding operations and strategic service initiatives.

• Utilize advanced analytical reasoning to define problems, collect and interpret data, and draw valid conclusions to drive continuous improvement.

You’ll need to have:

• A master’s degree in library science or a related field.

• Five years of experience in public libraries, including two years in direct public service.

• Three years of management experience.

• Strong communication, writing, and speaking skills.

• Skill at analyzing data and making recommendations based on it.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

You’ll receive:

• Competitive salary range starting at $102,387 per year

• Medical, dental, and life insurance

• Generous paid vacation, holidays, and sick days

• Pension plan through the Employees Retirement System of the City of St. Louis

• 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan

• Professional development

This position has an office in the heart of the St. Louis Public Library system in the library administration building. Located in Downtown West, the administration building is next door to the renowned Central Library, an architectural masterpiece designed by Cass Gilbert, and steps from all the shops, restaurants, and entertainment that downtown St. Louis has to offer. 

To apply:

If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply online and submit both your cover letter and your resume. Thank you!