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Director of Strategic Operations, Reading & Engagement

**Department:** Branch Services & Programs

**Employment Type:** Full Time

**Location:** Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

**Reporting To:** Brian Jones

**Compensation:** $140,000 - $180,000 / year

Description

Overview

The Director of Strategic Operations for Reading & Engagement will play a critical role in leading the Library’s effort to develop, expand, and transform programs and initiatives for readers across New York City. Reporting to the Senior Director of the newly formed Department of Reading & Engagement, the Director of Strategic Operations will be a dynamic leader driving the development and promotion of innovative literary and cultural programs in The New York Public Library’s 88 neighborhood branch locations in Manhattan, Staten Island, and the Bronx. In addition to direct supervision of teams responsible for Outreach Services & Engagement, Adult Cultural Programming, and Readers Services, the Director will collaborate with a wide range of external partners in order to promote a vibrant and accessible literary culture for diverse New Yorkers. Internally, this includes coordinating with teams in Research, Children’s, and Teen Services to support systemwide reader engagement efforts.

We are looking for someone we can count on to:

**Own** :

+ The planning, coordination, and execution of literary and cultural programs for adults—including large-scale, high-profile events and flagship programs, as well as localized, branch-based programs.

+ The cultivation of key relationships with programmatic and community partners to expand outreach and engagement.

+ A complex and ever-changing portfolio of projects at various scales, with different funding sources, operational requirements, and deliverables.

+ Promotion of a healthy work culture, clear operational structures and guidelines, and creating opportunities for staff development and growth.

**Teach** :

+ Best practices in program development, implementation, outreach, and evaluation.

+ Innovative methods for serving New York City’s diverse communities of readers.

**Learn** :

+ The evolving needs and interests of New York City's diverse adult populations with a focus on reading behavior, trends, and demand for literary and cultural programming.

+ The landscape of existing outreach efforts, including the operation of three NYPL bookmobiles.

+ The opportunities to improve the in-branch and out-of-branch reader experience.

**Improve** :

+ The reach and impact of adult literary and cultural programs and outreach services, measured by attendance, engagement, and feedback.

+ The effectiveness of cross-functional collaboration within NYPL to support program delivery and continuous improvement of the reader experience.

+ The reader’s experience with a focus on programmatic engagement.

+ The quality and quantity of the Library’s year-round author- and reading-focused programming, including creative ways to bring readers regularly together.

Some expectations for this role are that within:

**1 month** , this person will:

+ Become familiar with existing programs, staff, and key stakeholders.

+ Support the Senior Director of Reading & Engagement in developing a plan for integrating and aligning departmental efforts.

**3 months** , this person will:

+ Establish clear goals for ambitious literary and cultural programming, outreach, and reader services to New York City adults, in support of the Library’s 5-year-strategy.

**6 months and beyond** , this person will:

+ Implement new programmatic, outreach, and readers services initiatives and evaluate their impact.

+ Establish strong partnerships with key external organizations.

Responsibilities

+ Drive efforts to target literary and cultural programming to different segments of adults in New York, with differentiated approaches for audience segments (such as young adults and older adults).

+ With support and partnership from Digital, Communications, and Strategy teams, oversee program delivery across all branch locations, leveraging analytic tools to track and enhance audience attendance and engagement.

+ Communicate a clear and compelling vision for programming, outreach, and readers services to staff, external stakeholders, and the public.

+ Supervise and guide teams responsible for Outreach Services & Engagement, Readers Services, and for Adult Cultural Programming.

+ Coordinate cross-departmental reader-focused initiatives, aligning efforts across Research, Children’s, and Teen Services that support the broader Reader Strategy.

Required Education, Experience & Skills

Required Education & Certifications

+ Graduate degree in Library Science, Education, Cultural Studies, or a related field.

Required Experience

+ 7+ years of leadership experience in libraries, education, publishing, or cultural institutions.

+ Demonstrated success in leading and building cross-functional teams.

+ Experience producing virtual, in-person, and hybrid public events.

+ Familiarity with NYC’s literary and publishing ecosystem.

Required Skills

+ Strong communication, interpersonal, and project management skills.

+ Proficiency with digital platforms, hybrid programs, and data-driven decision-making.

+ Excellent communicator in written and verbal form.

+ Personnel and project leadership expertise.

+ Strong ability to foster collegiality, shared vision and teamwork.

+ Intellectually curious and responsive to unplanned opportunities.

+ Flexible, positive, helpful, can-do attitude.

Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities

+ This position will be responsible for a team of over 20 staff members with at least 3 direct reports.

More...

Core Values

_All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:_

+ Be **Helpful** to patrons and colleagues

+ Be **Resourceful** in solving problems

+ Be **Curious** in all aspects of your work

+ Be **Welcoming** and **Inclusive**

Work Environment

+ Office setting with frequent travel to library sites in Manhattan, Staten Island, and the Bronx.

Physical Duties

+ Limited physical effort is required

+ Requires travel within NYC

Pre-Placement** **Physical Required?

+ No

Union/Non Union

+ Non-Union

FLSA Status

+ Exempt

Schedule

+ 35 hours per week

+ Regularly scheduled 7 hour shifts between the hours of 8:30am - 6 pm

+ Schedule subject to change

_This job description represents the types and levels of responsibilities that will be required of the position and shall not be construed as a declaration of all of the specific duties and responsibilities for the role. Job duties may change if Library priorities change. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description as needed._

_The New York Public Library_** **_Salary Statement_

At the Library, we believe that pay transparency and pay equity are important to ensuring we source the best candidates and keep the best employees. When making a determination as to the appropriate salary for a candidate, we consider a variety of factors such, including, but not limited to, the position requirements, the skills, prior experience, and educational background required or preferred for the job, the scope and impact of the role within the organization, internal peer equity, and the candidate's specific training, experience, education level, and skills. No single factor is conclusive; the Library reserves the right to consider any and all relevant factors and make a decision consistent with its policies.