Associate Dean - Hunter Library

Associate Dean
- Hunter Library - #002854

Working Title Associate Dean
- Hunter Library - #002854

Department Office of the Dean
- Hunter Library

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes ‘Best Employers’ lists each year. Including: 2025 – Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list. 2024 – Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.

2023 – Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries. 2022 – Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list. Western Carolina University is the UNC system’s westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.

Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans – eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan.

Optional disability plans are also available. Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year.

Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service. WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences – many of which are offered free of charge.

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act ( EHRA ).

Western Carolina University invites applications and nominations for the position of Associate Dean of Library Services. The Associate Dean will be a knowledgeable, experienced, adaptable, and highly capable administrator with a demonstrated record of success in building, leading, and sustaining new programs and partnerships in libraries. The position will require a broad understanding of higher education institutions and how libraries contribute to the university’s teaching and learning mission.

Functioning as the deputy director for library administration, the Associate Dean will be an integral member of the Hunter Library leadership team and will be expected to oversee library-wide programs and activities, including strategic planning and goal setting in assigned areas; marketing and communications; internal communications; and library assessment. The Associate Dean will supervise the Access Services Manager and guide operational matters such as policy building, interdepartmental communication, human resources, and assessment for the Circulation and ILL units.

As appropriate and delegated, the Associate Dean will represent the library in campus and community activities.

Reporting to the Dean of Library…