A leader among New Jersey library consortia, Libraries of Middlesex Automation Consortium (LMxAC) is a nonprofit membership organization that supports high quality, innovative, shared services among its member libraries, to the benefit of the central New Jersey community. We are seeking a collaborative and dynamic Executive Director to lead our organization toward continued growth and success beginning in early 2023.

Organization

For over 35 years, LMxAC has been recognized for providing cutting-edge technology to its libraries. Our robust, yet cost-effective services have earned us a stable, positive reputation in the state. Established in 1986 with the primary purpose of operating a shared automation system for its members, LMxAC currently consists of 36 public libraries, and one college library, and manages an integrated library system (ILS) that supports resource sharing among our members. LMxAC also manages several digital collections for its members and serves as the administrative agent for eLibraryNJ, a digital library collection serving patrons from over 70 NJ libraries. We serve diverse communities across central New Jersey, in Middlesex, Monmouth, and Union counties. Our dynamic consortium has an experienced staff of seven full-time and two part-time employees, a strong financial standing (an annual operating budget of $1.2 million), and a dedicated, supportive executive board. LMxAC prides itself on its innovative approach to library services, the active involvement of its members, and is currently undergoing a period of strong growth that is expected to continue.

LMxAC is committed to:

• Visionary leadership that embraces change and challenges
• Technological sophistication, knowledge, and resources to achieve member goals
• Collaboration and reciprocity
• Strengthening member libraries and service excellence
• Responsiveness to member needs
• Fiscal responsibility
• Privacy and confidentiality

Opportunity 

As Executive Director you will manage and grow our experienced, tight-knit staff; be responsive to the needs of our member libraries and their communities; and be the face of the organization by representing LMxAC to other organizations and government entities at the local, regional, state, and national levels. At LMxAC we value our existing and expanding membership and staff. We are seeking someone with a demonstrated ability to nurture an open and welcoming climate that encourages participation and collaboration. The Executive Director reports directly to the LMxAC Executive Board.

Other responsibilities will include:

• Actively promoting membership in LMxAC, to continue strategic organizational growth
• Recruiting, training, and managing consortium staff
• Managing and monitoring staff benefit programs
• Managing flexible schedules in a modern workplace
• Developing a budget in collaboration with the LMxAC Finance Committee for approval by member libraries
• Overseeing fiscal management for the organization
• Negotiating agreements with various vendors, including the ILS contract
• Developing policies to be approved by the LMxAC Executive Board, and implementing them upon approval
• Leading in the development of short- and long-range planning

The ideal candidate will bring to LMxAC:

• A thorough knowledge of current library and consortia trends and best practices
• A pragmatic and fiscally responsible approach to consortia leadership
• The ability to balance future membership growth with sufficient staffing to maintain our high expectations and level of exceptional service
• Experience and success in measured and thoughtful innovation to best meet the needs of LMxAC libraries and the communities they serve
• The ability to energize LMxAC’s staff and member libraries
• Skills to actively foster collaborative relationships among a variety of internal and external constituents and key stakeholders

Required Experience:

• Familiarity with ILS automated systems used by public and academic libraries and/or consortia
• Minimum 5 years of relevant management experience
• Master's degree in library science preferred
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to work effectively with diverse audiences and stakeholders with various levels of experience
• Proven written and oral communications and group facilitation skills
• Thorough understanding of the library environment and its current practices and trends, with a strong grasp of library technology best practices
• Budget and financial planning experience

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in consortial environment strongly preferred
• Demonstrated leadership experience
• Experience leading a team
• Experience working with or reporting to a governing board
• Experience with multi-type libraries
• Contract negotiation experience
• Experience in ILS marketplace

Compensation:

This is a full-time position with a starting salary range of $130,000 - $150,000. Benefits include flex-time; a pension plan (TIAA CREF) with employer contributions; paid holidays; and health, dental, and life insurance coverage.

For Further Information:
For more information about LMxAC please visit our website: https://lmxac.org/

LMxAC has retained Library Crossroads Consulting to help with this important search. Please direct all inquiries to Library Crossroads: info@librarycrossroadconsulting.com

To Apply:

Email cover letter and resume to: lmxac@librarycrossroadsconsulting.com

Closing Date: November 2nd, 2022.  Review of applications will begin immediately.

Submit specified application materials to lmxac@librarycrossroadsconsulting.com.