Open Rank - Head, Collections and Acquisitions

Clemson University: University Libraries

Location

Library Depot 102 N

Open Date

Feb 17, 2026

Deadline

Mar 23, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Description

Clemson Libraries seeks a collaborative, dynamic, and collegial Head of Acquisitions to provide leadership and expertise for a department that oversees acquisitions, electronic resources, continuing resources, and collection development and analysis.

This position provides oversight for a collections budget of $9.5 million and leads efforts related to the procurement, assessment, and management of print and electronic resources, including individual and package subscriptions, e-books, demand driven acquisitions, open access resources, streaming services, and continuing resources.

Clemson Libraries migrated to Alma/Primo VE in June 2020 and is part of a statewide Network Zone that includes 54 other institutions in the Partnership Among South Carolina Academic Libraries (PASCAL) consortium. The Head of Acquisitions will be actively involved in shared collection development decisions and licensing negotiations facilitated by PASCAL, as well as other consortia such as the Carolina Consortium and the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL).

Clemson Libraries faculty are members of the academic community, with responsibilities in the areas of librarianship, research, and service. This is a 12-month tenure-track faculty position, minimum salary starts at $95,000, and works under the direction of the Associate Dean for Collections and Discovery.

Responsibilities Include

• Leads, plans, and oversees acquisitions operations and processes for materials in all formats acquired for University Libraries.
• Manages and coordinates operations for the Acquisitions Department composed of approximately 11 employees. This position directly supervises 2 faculty and 2 staff members.
• Directs the efficient, appropriate, and timely expenditure of the Libraries’ $9.5 million collections budget, which includes both targeted and untargeted gifts and endowments. Supervises day-to-day acquisitions processes.
• Develops fund allocations for collection development areas.
• Chairs the Collections Strategy Cross-Functional Team.
• Collaborates with colleagues in Metadata Services, User Services and Teaching and Learning to establish and refine interdepartmental workflows.
• In collaboration with the eCollections Access and Licensing Librarian, leads efforts related to the procurement, assessment, and management of electronic resources, including contract negotiations, renewals, and e-resource workflows.
• Provides oversight and strategic direction for individual subscription renewal assessment.
• Develops policies and procedures related to collection development and acquisitions.
  
  

Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities

• Develops a focused program of high-quality research and creative accomplishments, consistent with professional responsibilities and the Libraries’ mission and goals.
  
  

Service

• Actively participates and demonstrates leadership in professional responsibilities that serve the Libraries, university, profession, and community.
  
  

Salary And Benefits

Faculty rank and minimum salary of $95,000 based on the successful candidate's qualifications and experience. Various medical plans, dental plans, and retirement plans are available. 18 days annual leave, 15 days sick leave, 13 paid holidays, and liberal professional development leave are provided. Library faculty receive an individual stipend for travel or other professional development activity.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• An ALA-accredited graduate degree in librarianship or a relevant accredited graduate degree in another scholarly field as deemed appropriate by the Libraries.
• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in acquisitions, electronic resources, or collection development in an academic library or a large, multi-branch public library.
• Previous management/supervisory experience.
• Experience with strategic collection development and/or budgeting.
• Demonstrated skills in oral and written communication and creative problem-solving.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to foster an environment of collegiality, respect, trust, and teamwork.
• Experience with reviewing and negotiating license agreements pertaining to electronic resources.
• Experience with assessment of print and electronic resources (usage reports, overlap reports, cost per use, etc.).
• Experience working with publishers and/or vendors of electronic resources.
• Experience in coordination or management of library services platform functions in a consortial environment, including experience with Ex Libris' Alma and Primo VE.
• Knowledge of current, evolving, and innovative models of collection development, including open access and scholarly communications.
  
  

Application Instructions

Applicants should electronically submit all applications and related materials via Interfolio: https://apply.interfolio.com/181824 . Required materials include a cover letter addressing the qualifications for the position, a professional curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of three (3) professional references. While dates may shift slightly depending on search committee availability, here's an overview of the search timeline:

• Applications open: Submit your application on the Clemson Careers website by March 23, 2026 for guaranteed consideration.
• Review and selection: We'll review applications through mid-March. If shortlisted, expect to hear from us to schedule a virtual interview in early April.
• Campus Interviews: The search committee will narrow down candidates and invite those who are selected to campus for an interview in early May. After all interviews are conducted, the committee will provide feedback to the Dean, and a selection will be made.
  
  

It’s a great time to join Clemson University Libraries! We welcome talented individuals to our team. The ideal start date for the chosen candidate is July 1st.