Nazarbayev University (NU) was established ten years ago as an autonomous, English-language university, with a mandate to be a world-class research university for Kazakhstan and the region.

The Library serves over 500 local and international faculty and staff and more than 5,500 students in Foundation, Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral programs in the fields of: Engineering and Digital Sciences, Mining and Geosciences, Sciences and Humanities, Business, Public Policy, Education and Medicine.

The University is on a growth trajectory and aims to substantially increase in size in the next several years.

The Director of Nazarbayev University Library has the primary responsibility for envisioning, planning, directing and evaluating the services and resources of the Library.

The Director leads a team of approximately 50 local and international staff members who provide research and comprehensive library services for our students, faculty, staff, alumni and local and international partners. The Director is also responsible for a specialist medical library, located in the Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, to serve the needs of medical and nursing students, clinicians, faculty and researchers.

Reports to:  the Provost of Nazarbayev University

The Library Director is the principal librarian of the university is responsible for the strategic leadership and executive management of the Library. The Director’s role is to:

• ·        Plan, direct and evaluate the services and resources of the Nazarbayev University Library.
• ·        Create a vibrant and scholarly environment for students, staff and faculty, consistent with Nazarbayev University’s graduate attributes.  
• ·        Lead the Library's external relationships with local and international libraries.
• ·        Represent and promote Nazarbayev University Library at conferences and scholarly events locally and internationally.
• ·        Support Nazarbayev University accreditation initiatives.
• ·        To oversee and direct the annual budget-setting process for the Library.
• ·        Recruit high quality staff who can contribute to the University’s international research impact.
• ·        Uphold the values of the university, including all aspects of academic integrity and inclusion, as stated in university policies.
• ·        Be a role model of respectful, ethical, inclusive and collegial behaviour.
• ·        Mentor and train young professionals and build local capacity.

 This job description reflects the present requirements of the post and, as duties and responsibilities develop, the job description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder.

Background and Experience

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• ·         experience in designing, leading and evaluating major international initiatives in research libraries,
• ·         extensive experience in planning and implementing physical and virtual spaces for meeting future student requirements,
• ·         experience in leading teams to develop, deliver and market information services in a research intensive university,
• ·         active participation in national and international library organisations and professional associations,
• ·         excellent communication and strategic planning skills, independent judgment, initiative and creativity, and
• ·         expertise in leading teams in complex electronic information retrieval and digital resource creation.

The successful candidate will have a graduate degree in a relevant discipline with approximately ten years management experience in an internationally ranked, research-intensive university library.

Preference will be given to candidates with a scholarly research record in library science or related fields.

Salary and benefits are internationally competitive.

Nazarbayev University is an equal opportunity employer.