Head, Liaison Services

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Head, Liaison Services 

Schulich Library of Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, and Engineering

Deadline to apply: May 2, 2026, 11h59pm
Assistant Librarian or Associate Librarian (tenure track)
Duration: three years, with possibility of renewal
Salary minimum: salary commensurate with experience

The position of Head, Liaison Services at the Schulich Library of Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, and Engineering offers an exciting opportunity to lead the liaison services of one of Canada’s top research libraries, supporting McGill University’s Faculties of Engineering, Science, Medicine & Health Sciences, and Dental Medicine & Oral Health Sciences. With a strong user-centered approach, the Unit Head will lead and shape the liaison services that meet the evolving needs of researchers and students in these dynamic fields. 

Reporting to the Associate Dean, Research & Scholarship, and actively collaborating with McGill Libraries and University partners, this position plays a vital role in positioning the library as a key contributor to teaching, learning and research at McGill University. 

THE McGILL LIBRARIES

Located in Montréal, one of the world’s great multicultural and multilingual cities, McGill University is internationally recognized for its excellence as a leading institution of higher education and research. For nearly 200 years, through the work of dedicated people, McGill has been breaking ground in diverse fields and contributing solutions to some of the world’s most significant issues. McGill is also the most internationally diverse research-intensive university in Canada, with over 32% of its students coming to McGill from more than 150 countries. The University systematically appears on the annual list of the best employers in Montreal. 

The McGill Libraries are committed to delivering high-quality, innovative information products, services and programs that focus on client needs and support the University’s strategic mission and directions. The McGill Libraries proactively supports the teaching, learning and research needs of faculty and students to fulfill McGill’s strategic mission of excellence as a research-intensive, student-centred university.

The McGill Libraries has the largest collection in Quebec and is one of Canada’s largest academic libraries with over six million monograph titles and 150,000 e-journals and databases. The Libraries are a member of the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL), the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Bureau de coopération interuniversitaire (BCI), the Center for Research Libraries (CRL), and the HathiTrust Digital Library. 
 

INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE STAFF

Information about the University and the McGill Libraries can be found on the University’s web site. As a tenure stream appointee, the successful candidate is expected to satisfy the requirements in the Regulations Relating to the Employment of Librarian Staff.

DUTY STATEMENT

Primary Purpose of Position

The Head, Liaison Services at the Schulich Library of Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, and Engineering leads and manages a team of eleven librarians who provide services and develop collections to support teaching, learning, and research in the faculties of Engineering, Science, Medicine & Health Sciences, and Dental Medicine & Oral Health Sciences. With a strong user-centered approach, the Head, Liaison Services ensures that librarian services meet the evolving needs of researchers, instructors, and students in these fields. The role provides strategic leadership for the Libraries’ Open Science initiatives, guiding efforts to advance open access, research data management, and other practices that foster transparent and equitable scholarship. 

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provides leadership, strategic direction, and overall management of Schulich liaison librarian services, ensuring alignment with McGill Libraries priorities.

• Contribute leadership to the development of campus‑wide capacity for Open Science, in collaboration with librarians, researchers, and campus partners.

• Lead the design and delivery of services, training, and outreach that support researchers in adopting Open Science tools, platforms, and best practice.

• Champion the integration of Open Science principles into library collections, services, and research support infrastructure.

• Manage, mentor, and evaluate a team of liaison librarians, including oversight of workload distribution, professional development, performance assessment, and ongoing skill enhancement.

• Collaborate with internal and external partners, including the Schulich lending and access services manager, other Library units, University departments, and external organizations on shared initiatives and projects.

• Cultivate a positive, collaborative, and effective work environment that supports strong communication, teamwork, and professional respect.

• Represent Schulich Library on Libraries, Faculty, and University committees, task forces, and working groups, as well as relevant external committees and associations.

• Advance and model principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, Indigenization, and accessibility (EDIA) in all aspects of service design, team management, and community engagement.

• Foster a culture of engagement, innovation, and continuous improvement, encouraging assessment, experimentation, and user‑centered service development.

The successful candidate will be a progressive, collaborative leader who:

• Anticipates evolving user needs and stays informed about emerging technologies, trends, and evidence-based practices in academic libraries, applying them thoughtfully to services and spaces.

• Serves as a mentor, role model, and leader for librarians and staff, fostering professional growth and a supportive team culture.

• Demonstrates flexibility and comfort with change and ambiguity, adapting effectively in a dynamic academic environment.

• Has experience working in, or is comfortable navigating, a unionized environment, including effective communication and relationship-building.

Reporting relationship

The position reports to the Associate Dean, Research and Scholarship.
 

SELECTION CRITERIA

Required:

• Master’s degree in library or information science accredited by the American Library Association or recognized equivalent. 

• A graduate degree in a relevant field is an asset; a PhD is considered a strong asset.

• Minimum five years of professional library experience, preferably in an academic setting in an area covered by the Schulich Library or Open Science, including two years with supervisory or managerial responsibilities.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage using collaborative, transparent, and inclusive approaches. 

• Experience performing liaison or educational services, demonstrated through instruction, consultation, outreach, or program development, with a strong user-centered service orientation.

• Engagement with professional communities through service, committee involvement, or scholarly or creative activities.

•  Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and a willingness to continue learning about the histories and experiences of Indigenous communities in Canada, including the legacy of residential schools. 

• Excellent interpersonal and professional communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal. McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at level #(4) on a scale of 1-4.

Desired:

• Knowledge of French is a significant asset. 

• Experience assessing and improving library services, including the ability to plan, manage, and evaluate multiple projects or service initiatives.

• Awareness of current trends in academic librarianship, including pedagogy, instructional technologies, and emerging user needs.

• High level of professionalism and commitment to the organization and its mission and the ability to work flexibly in a changing environment. 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applications should address the above selection criteria, be accompanied by a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and the names and addresses of three referees.  

We anticipate conducting interviews during the first week of May 2026.

Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.

McGill University is an English-language university where most teaching and research activities are conducted in the English language, thereby requiring English communication both verbally and in writing.

McGill University is committed to equity and diversity within its community and values academic rigour and excellence. We welcome and encourage applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities.

At McGill, research that reflects diverse intellectual traditions, methodologies, and modes of dissemination and translation is valued and encouraged. Candidates are invited to demonstrate their research impact both within and across academic disciplines and in other sectors, such as government, communities, or industry.

McGill further recognizes and fairly considers the impact of leaves (e.g., family care or health-related) that may contribute to career interruptions or slowdowns. Candidates are encouraged to signal any leave that affected productivity, or that may have had an effect on their career path. This information will be considered to ensure the equitable assessment of the candidate’s record.

McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated equity groups to self-identify. It further seeks to ensure the equitable treatment and full inclusion of persons with disabilities by striving for the implementation of universal design principles transversally, across all facets of the University community, and through accommodation policies and procedures. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [email protected].

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.