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:

• Leverage digital repositories, AI-driven search tools and data analytics) to support the academic mission.
• Oversee the services and resources of the Nazarbayev University Library.
• Lead the Library's external relationships with local and international libraries.
• Support Nazarbayev University accreditation initiatives.
• Lead a team of professional library staff to provide research and library services for 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.
• Oversee and direct the annual budget-setting process for the Library consistent with the University regulations, under the direction of the Provost.

• Recruit high-quality library staff who can contribute to the University’s international research impact.
• Chair related committees and working groups as needed.
• Uphold the values of the university, including academic and research integrity and inclusion.
• Be a role model of respectful, ethical, inclusive and collegial behaviour.
• Mentor and train young professionals and build local capacity.
• Liaise with Deans, Faculty, students, research and teaching centres to enhance the research and teaching reputation of the University.
• Conduct scholarly and professional research, as appropriate.

The Library Director performs the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership

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.
• Support Nazarbayev University accreditation initiatives.
• Lead a team of professional library staff members who provide research and comprehensive library services for 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.
• Support the research and teaching reputation of Nazarbayev University, consistent with the University Strategy and relevant university policies including NU Response to Generative Artificial Intelligence in Learning and Teaching.
• Champion digital transformation by advancing open access initiatives, institutional repositories, and data management services to support global research dissemination.
• Oversee research data management services, including data curation, preservation, and compliance with international standards, and provide bibliometric and research impact analysis to support faculty and institutional goals.
• Foster community engagement by promoting information literacy, collaborating with local educational institutions, and enhancing the library’s role as a knowledge hub in Kazakhstan.
• Design user-centered library services that enhance accessibility, inclusivity, and engagement for diverse user groups.

2. Budget Oversight

• Oversee and direct the annual budget-setting process for the Library consistent with the University regulations, liaising closely with the Deans and relevant units, while working under the direction of the Provost.

3. Team Management and Collegial Professional Development

• Recruit high-quality staff who can contribute to the University’s international research impact.
• Participate in senior team meetings and chair committees and working groups as needed.
• 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 behavior.
• Mentor and train young professionals and build local capacity.
• Liaise with Deans, Faculty, students, research and teaching centers to enhance the research and teaching reputation of the University.

4. Key Performance Indicators

Success will be measured by improvements in library usage metrics, research output supported by library services, user satisfaction, and contributions to accreditation and institutional rankings.

Additional duties and responsibilities: 

• Conduct scholarly activity and research as appropriate to the position, subject to discussion with the Provost.
• Undertake professional development consistent with the role.
• Actively promote the values of the university, including academic and research integrity, as stated in the NU Learning and Teaching Strategy and other university policies.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Provost, including organizing and presenting to prestigious conferences, both within Kazakhstan and internationally.

The Library Director also properly executes the tasks of the line manager and the University`s management; observes the requirements of the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Employer`s internal documents; is responsible for appropriate performance of duties of his/her staff; is responsible for ensuring the integrity of official documents, and prevention of the disclosure or leakage of confidential and business information, as well as information of restricted access in accordance with the legislation, Charter and internal documents of the Employer;   in case of dismissal, is responsible for timely transfer of all paper documentation, digital information, inventory to another employee as instructed by the line manager (to be certified by the act of acceptance-transfer).

Education:

• Preferably a PhD (STEM or non-STEM) or other doctoral-level qualification. The minimum requirement is a master's level degree in library sciences or related disciplines, including computer sciences, information science or technology, and management.

Work experience:

• extensive experience in selecting and utilizing modern library technologies to support the academic mission,
• more than five years experience in designing, leading and evaluating major initiatives in libraries,
• active 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 university,
• active participation in national and international library organizations 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.
• experience in designing sustainable and innovative library spaces (physical and virtual) to enhance user experience and accessibility.
• experience or familiarity with health sciences librarianship to effectively oversee the specialist medical library.

Knowledge and skills:

• research profile in a relevant field including library sciences, teaching, assessment, knowledge management or educational technology.
• collaborative approach to creating and implementing University level policies and procedures.
• exceptional  interpersonal and written communication skills.

• Although this role is designed as a full-time role, the Library Director may hold a fractional appointment within an NU School, subject to the approval of the relevant Dean and the Provost.

• 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. Nazarbayev University upholds a Code of Ethics and actively supports international standards in academic and research integrity.

We strongly encourage Kazakhstani citizens to apply for this position. 

For questions, please contact:

Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Loretta O’Donnell at [email protected]

Recruitment and selection process
Recruitment and selection at Nazarbayev University include the following process: preliminary selection based on experience and qualifications, assessments (e.g. technical skills/capabilities, aptitude, personality, work samples, in-basket exercises, and informal interviews), and motivation.

Formal interviews form the final stage of the selection process.
They are typically based on organizational values and behaviors and conducted in English.
You are encouraged to share your views and values  to identify how they fit into  Nazarbayev University core values