PALNI seeks next Executive Director

INDIANAPOLIS—The Private Academic Library Network of Indiana (PALNI) seeks a visionary, experienced, and collaborative library leader to serve as its next Executive Director (ED). This opportunity demands both strategic foresight and day-to-day operational excellence. The ED serves as the chief executive of PALNI, reporting to the Board of Directors, and is responsible for advancing the consortium's mission, managing its operations, and advocating on behalf of 23 supported organizations, including private colleges, universities, and seminaries throughout Indiana. PALNI serves 40,000 students through shared library services with multiple partners.

In this role, the Executive Director represents PALNI’s collective interests, builds strategic partnerships, and ensures the consortium’s voice is heard in conversations shaping the future of academic libraries and scholarly communication. We seek candidates with a diverse skill set in the areas of Strategic Vision and Advocacy, Collaborative Leadership and Culture, and Applied Innovation. The ED should demonstrate a strong understanding of the technologies that drive modern libraries, including discovery systems, repository platforms, and open-source and open-education ecosystems, ensuring they can lead through complex technical transitions. This perspective is essential to guiding the consortium’s engagement with shared infrastructure, collaborative technologies, and sustainable, open solutions for PALNI libraries. 

Essential Functions

Board Support and Management

• Supports the Executive Committee (EC) and the Board of Directors (Board) to meet their strategic and fiduciary obligations.

• Leads the development and articulation of the PALNI vision, priorities, strategic plan, and Strategic Framework in partnership with the Board.

• Maintains an awareness of the wider information environment and provides strategic recommendations to the board. At the direction of the EC and Board, conducts research on consortial governance, advances in library technology, and other relevant legal and organizational matters.

• In consultation with the Chair of the EC, prepares Board and EC meeting agenda; distributes documents and other materials as directed by the EC. Attends all meetings of the EC and Board as a non-voting member. Manages the logistical and technical needs of meetings of the Board and EC.

• Oversees the preservation of the records of the Board, including policies, procedures, minutes, and reports.

Operational and Personnel Management

• Leads and oversees the execution of the strategic plan and the Strategic Framework.

• Provides leadership, strategic direction, resource allocation, professional development, and coordination for eight PALNI staff to oversee PALNI systems, services, grants, and partnerships.

• Provides overall leadership for PALNI’s working groups (currently 15) and ad hoc task forces, while embodying the PALNI Values to support trust, innovation, collaboration, transparency, and mutual respect.

• Leverages Deep Collaboration to elevate the impact and visibility of library staff beyond our size.

Financial Strategy and Management

Pursues partnerships and shared services that increase the ability of PALNI to afford and sustain key services.

• Sets strategies for pursuing grant opportunities and oversees the allocation of funds received.

• Develops a budget for Board approval, including managing budget allocations to meet strategic goals.

• Approves and reviews all financial transactions and provides annual reports to the Board.

• Initiates and supports the audit review.

• Works closely with the PALNI Treasurer, who provides fiduciary oversight.

• Serves on the Finance Committee to ensure the financial sustainability and effectiveness of the organization.

Communications, Networking, and Partnerships

• Serves as the chief voice for PALNI.

• Supervises the communication structure to support PALNI’s Deep Collaboration goals with all internal participants.

• Oversees the PALNI external communication and networking strategy with an emphasis on the value and impact of academic libraries.

• Develops relationships and partnerships with external groups and stakeholders.

Legal/Contracts

• Ensures compliance with state and federal regulations and agencies.

• Reviews and creates contracts and MOUs with vendors, partners, and external groups.

• Other duties as assigned by the PALNI Executive Committee

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in library/information science from an ALA-accredited institution or an advanced degree in a relevant field (such as nonprofit management or education administration).

• Five years of progressive leadership and administrative experience in an academic library, library consortium, nonprofit organization, or equivalent setting.

• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, written, verbal, and presentation skills.

• Demonstrated experience in decision-making, budgeting, strategic planning, needs assessment, and resource management.
• Ability to travel, especially within the state of Indiana, to develop and nurture relationships with PALNI colleagues and partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ten years of experience as a librarian.

• Experience in consortia management, including managing cost-sharing and shared-service models as well as negotiation.

• Experience navigating grant-funded initiatives and collaborative staffing.

• Experience working with a Board of Directors.

Location

This is a remote work position. Residency in central Indiana is desired, with a requirement of residency within 250 miles of Indianapolis.

Skills

We seek candidates with demonstrated skills and expertise in all three of the following areas:

Strategic Vision and Advocacy

• Visionary: Anticipates industry shifts and leads PALNI to evolve through long-term, strategic planning.

• Advocate: Acts as a high-level advocate to translate complex library needs into compelling narratives for external partners and institutional leaders.

• Grant and Resource Developer: Possesses a proven track record of securing funding through successful grant applications and creative external partnerships.

Collaborative Leadership and Culture

• Relationship Partner: Collaborates with supported institutions and external partners through a high level of trust and transparency.

• Community Builder: Champions colleague morale and trust through engagement, empathy, and a servant leadership philosophy.

• Active Listener: Approaches conflict and decision-making with a flexible, diplomatic, and adaptable mindset, ensuring all voices are heard before taking a firm stance.

Applied Innovation

• Consortial Leader: Deep experiences in the unique mechanics of consortial management, including system migrations and open-source practices.

• Strong Negotiator: Strong negotiator skills with vendors to leverage the collective power of PALNI to secure the favorable terms while upholding principles of transparency, ethical licensing, and support for open-education and open-source models.

• Technical Literacy: Understands the range of key technological issues impacting libraries and consortia, including interoperability, Artificial Intelligence, accounting software, and shared systems.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary ranging from $140,000-$160,000 depending upon qualifications. PALNI provides generous benefits for employees and family, including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance. Additional benefits: up to a 10% match retirement plan, 12 holidays per year, 12 sick days per year (accruing), 20 days vacation per year (non-accruing), and paid parental leave.

Application and Interview Process

Please submit your cover letter and curriculum vita in PDF format via the Workable applicant tracking system. In your cover letter, please describe what energizes you about the potential of leading within a consortial environment and illustrate how your specific skills and experiences have prepared you to thrive in that collaborative context. Procedural questions may be directed to Jeff Beck via beckj@wabash.edu. Mr. Beck is Director of Lilly Library at Wabash College and Co-Chair of the Executive Director Search Committee.

A confidential review of applications will begin on June 8, 2026, and will continue until filled. Initial interviews will be conducted via Zoom. References will be requested before in-person interviews. Potential start date is November 2026.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Diversity and Culture

The most productive and satisfying work environment is one in which work is accomplished in a spirit of mutual trust and respect. That trust and respect should be demonstrated through the manner of interaction between our employees, contractors, participants (those participating in PALNI activities), and the people with whom we collaborate. We value positive communication and conversations. We expect people to have different opinions – we all come from different backgrounds and have had different experiences. Those differences enable us to view things from different angles, allowing our organization to grow and thrive in a constantly evolving culture. We do not and will not treat someone differently on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, gender identity, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of our activities or operations. Please refer to our Respect in the Workplace policy.

About PALNI

About PALNI: PALNI is a 30-year-old 501(c)3 nonprofit consortium with a strong track record of providing its 23 supported institutions with the best possible library information systems, technology and services. It does so through Deep Collaboration and shared expertise among the library staff and consortial staff, and through strategic relationships with external partners. The PALNI organizational chart helps illustrate the complex roles and leadership structure within the consortium. PALNI employees enjoy a supportive work culture based on trust, communication and respect. They have the benefit of working in remote locations across the state and beyond, while meeting periodically in central Indiana. Under the guidance of its Strategic Framework, PALNI strives to enhance the teaching and learning missions of its supported institutions through five areas of focus: student success, affordability, services and systems, shared expertise, and outreach and engagement. Visit PALNI online to learn more.