Job Description

The Boston Public Library (BPL) is one of the great American public libraries and a defining civic institution. Founded in 1848 as the first large free municipal library in the United States, BPL serves the residents of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, fulfilling its strategic roles as a Lifelong Learning and Research Partner, Welcoming Destination, Trusted Resource, and Community Engager. With a Central Library in Copley Square, a network of 25 neighborhood branch libraries, an archival center and robust digital and statewide services, BPL reaches millions of people annually. The library is free and open to all.

Under the direction of the President of the Library, the Chief of Library Services is the senior executive responsible for the strategic direction and operational delivery of library services across the BPL system. The Chief provides leadership across the Library Services Division - including branch libraries, the Central Library, collections, digital services, and youth and adult services - and acts as a principal deputy to the President. This role requires exceptional strategic thinking, planning, and execution skills; a patron-centered approach; and the ability to build a culture of efficiency, innovation, impact, and accountability across a large, complex, multi-site organization.

Responsibilities

Strategic and Operational Leadership:

• Develop a comprehensive vision and strategic direction for all public services across the BPL system that aligns with the institution’s mission, strategic plan, and fiscal capacity.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the exemplary delivery of that vision, directing departments and teams in setting and achieving goals and guiding cross-departmental collaboration from planning through implementation and evaluation.
• Shape and articulate a forward-looking innovation agenda that is informed by emerging trends in libraries and in the education, cultural, and human services sectors, continuing to position BPL as a leader in the field.
• Develop and refine the Library Service division’s approach to outcomes and impact evaluation, establishing meaningful benchmarks and metrics grounded in the Strategic Plan.
• Actively seek out best practices and trends in library design and use of space, evaluating their synergy with BPL’s evolving service model.

Executive Collaboration and Administration:

• Collaborate closely with the President and all members of senior leadership in strategic planning, management, and resource allocation.
• Serve as delegate for BPL President when necessary.
• Provide oversight and guidance to direct reports on the management of departmental budgets in collaboration with the Library’s Finance office and external partners.
• Ensure that equity, diversity, and inclusion are reflected in the Library Services division’s priorities, programming, and operations.
• Attend Board of Trustees and other committee meetings and, as needed, prepare and deliver presentations to inform strategic discussions and decision-making.

External Relations and Advocacy:

• Represent the BPL across local, state, national, and global communities and within the profession.
• Proactively consider and plan for the services most needed and requested by our constituencies across Boston and the Commonwealth.
• Identify and champion strategic partnerships that advance the library’s goals and deliver meaningful, lasting impact.
• Serve as a key liaison to the Boston Public Library Fund.
• Pursue professional growth and demonstrate national field-wide leadership.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications

• An advanced degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited program is required. Further credentials in public administration, public policy, business administration, or education are desirable.
• At least seven (7) years in senior leadership roles within public libraries or other complex cultural or civic institutions, with responsibility for strategic planning, budgeting, team management, and the successful execution of high-impact, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Experience in a municipal urban public library, including in a union environment, is strongly preferred. Management experience in a multi-level, distributed organization is also strongly preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of public library services and current and evolving library practices across multiple service areas, with demonstrated experience in strategic plan execution and complex problem-solving.
• Proven ability to develop and implement a strategic vision that guides services across multiple locations and departments, aligning diverse teams around common goals and delivering measurable outcomes.
• Experience leading teams through organizational growth or transformation, with a track record of strengthening internal systems, clarifying roles and processes, and fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and collaboration.
• Skilled in leading organization-wide initiatives involving multiple departments and senior stakeholders; able to navigate complexity, build trust across functions, and sustain momentum on collaborative efforts.
• Strong background in hiring, developing, and leading diverse teams; able to translate strategic priorities into clear objectives, provide consistent guidance, mentor direct reports, and cultivate a respectful, high-performing work culture.
• Experience in setting and managing complex budgets in a fiscally responsible and sustainable manner.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills, with the ability to represent the organization effectively to government partners, peer institutions, funders, and the public. Experience in advocacy or government affairs is an asset.
• Demonstrated integrity, initiative, sound judgment, discretion, and dependability, with the ability to perform effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Visionary, strategic thinker with a systems-oriented mindset and the operational discipline to execute.
• Exceptional collaborator and relationship-builder across internal and external stakeholders.
• Confident, empathetic team leader.
• Clear and compelling communicator.
• Passionate advocate for the communities BPL serves.
• Disciplined financial steward with strong budget planning and oversight experience.
• CORI - Must successfully clear City of Boston Criminal Offenders Record Information check.

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms:

Union/Salary Plan/Grade: Non-Union/PM-9

Hours per week: 35