Job Description  

The Acquisitions Manager is part of the Collection Strategy team at Vanderbilt University and has shared responsibility to oversee and participate in the work to acquire the resources needed to support teaching, learning, and research. Focusing on monographic and continuous physical materials and single order electronic books, this position will manage and participate in the work to acquire and ensure access to library resources. Collaborating with the other department managers, this position will investigate, propose, and implement workflows to support seamless user access to materials in all formats, emphasizing work unit effectiveness and efficiency, cross-training, and implementing available vendor integrations.

Reporting directly to the Director for Collection Strategy, the Acquisition Manager will supervise the work of the Acquisitions Assistants (7 FTE).

About the Work Unit:

The Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries at Vanderbilt University comprises nine libraries, as well as service departments in collections services, digital scholarship & scholarly communications, information technology and digital services, and teaching & learning. We seek to create a welcoming environment and serve as partners in research and scholarship. The libraries are dynamic places for faculty, staff, students, and alumni to reflect and discover. We also strive to be a workplace in which staff at every level continuously grow in knowledge and skills, staying abreast of advances and trends in librarianship to power relevant, vibrant research libraries. The Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries are fundamental to the university’s goal of advancing scholarship and learning. We collect, preserve and make accessible a wide variety of resources, we partner with faculty and students to shape research and teaching, and we encourage the development of informed scholars and engaged citizens

Within Collection Strategy, the Acquisitions unit is responsible for ordering, paying, claiming, and processing of all library materials in physical format, and the eresource lifecycle of monographic ebooks and collaborates with the Eresources and Cataloging & Metadata teams to determine local workflow and practice.

 

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

Utilizing knowledge of system-wide needs and current trends in the profession, lead the work performed by Acquisitions, providing support, supervision, training, and coordination within and outside the team. Identify and implement evidence-based workflow solutions that streamline purchasing and access to library resources while ensuring strict adherence to University Finance guidelines.  Oversee the ordering, processing, and payment process for all physical materials and single order ebooks. Support effective vendor relations through regular communication and evaluation of vendor performance. Collaborate with other library units to create interconnected workflows that benefit the user and support the University’s mission and goals. Assist in the day-to-day work involved in acquiring and maintaining access to library research materials in a timely and accurate manner. Pursue professional development opportunities, especially those related to understanding current best practices and keeping up with emerging trends related to the relevant workflow. Represents the library locally, nationally, and internationally in relevant professional associations. Serves on library-wide committees and/or task groups to advance the library’s strategic directions and services. Performs other duties as assigned

Supervisory Relationships:

This position supervises the Library Acquisitions Assistants and reports administratively and functionally to the Director for Collection Strategy.

 Education and Certifications

Master's degree in Library or Information Science from a program accredited by the American Library Association, or international equivalent is required.

Experience and Skills:

Leadership skills and an ability to identify common goals and to work collaboratively towards meeting those goals is required. Experience in acquiring library materials in all formats while understanding and following university purchasing and auditing guidelines is strongly preferred. Excellent office productivity software skills, especially tools used to analyze data, as well as the ability to adapt to new technologies as they evolve is required. Excellent oral and written communications skills is required.  Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and independently with varied groups within a complex organization and rapidly changing team environment is required. Excellent customer and vendor relations skills is strongly preferred. Ability to identify key bibliographic data in a language other than English is preferred. Understanding of library acquisitions models and publisher practices is preferred. Experience using a library management system is preferred. Familiarity with standards such as MARC, EDI/EDIFACT, OpenURL is preferred.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are.  We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education. 

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.