Director of the Library

Job Description

We are seeking a dynamic and visionary Director of the Library to lead our innovative team in advancing library services for the global R&D community. This pivotal role requires an individual with exceptional communication and organizational skills, as well as a deep passion for healthcare and technology. The Director will oversee all aspects of library operations, including strategic vision setting, collection management, policy development, and team management, while fostering an environment of collaboration and creativity.

By leveraging a strong scientific and information science background, the Director will drive the evolution of library services, enhance user engagement with scientific literature, and support the company’s mission to foster innovation in drug discovery and development. The Director will be a player-coach, guiding a small but effective team to maximize the impact of our services, while building trusted partnerships across the organization and with external information providers. This leader will not only focus on operational excellence, but also on the development of strategic initiatives that align with organizational objectives, ensuring our library services continually evolve to meet the needs of scientists and professionals worldwide.

The Director of the Library is responsible for but not limited to:

• Team Management: 

  • Proven track record of leading and mentoring a team, including setting performance goals and providing ongoing development and feedback

  • Enthusiasm for continuous personal professional development, staying abreast of industry trends, and applying new knowledge to enhance library services

• Customer Focus: 

  • Dedicated to understanding user needs and improving library services through active engagement, feedback collection, and the development of tailored programs that drive resource utilization and satisfaction

  • Collaborating across the organization to co-create innovative solutions that meet organizational objectives

  • Providing specialized information services that empower stakeholders to effectively leverage scientific literature in drug discovery and development

  • Organizing and conducting training programs for end-users’ awareness and effective usage of library resources

  • Establishing user engagement initiatives to drive adoption and utilization of library resources

• Portfolio Management

  • Managing the subscription portfolio, including resource identification, usage tracking, relationship management with vendors, negotiations, and financial reporting

  • Cultivating strategic partnerships with major information providers to optimize vendor relationships and service delivery

  • Skilled in overseeing library budgets, tracking expenditures, and identifying cost-saving opportunities to enhance ROI

  • Managing and evaluating performance metrics and implementing data-driven enhancements to library services

• Technical Proficiency:

  • Expertise with resources such as Cortellis, Embase, Scopus, SciFinder, Reaxys, Cortellis, etc.

  • Document delivery

  • Experience with emerging technologies, such as text mining and machine learning

  • Ability to perform comprehensive literature searches using tools such as Embase, Medline, Dialog, or STN

  • Knowledge of copyright regulations and legal requirements of license agreements for external, scientific content

  • Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office, SharePoint, and Microsoft Teams for collaboration and information sharing

• Strategic Thinking and Innovation:

  • Visionary mindset focused on the evolution of knowledge management; ability to articulate trends and their implications to stakeholders

  • Skilled in identifying and integrating innovative tools and resources, such as new digital platforms, to enhance the library's offerings

  • Proven success in developing and executing strategies that move the business forward

  • Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to convey complex concepts to both scientific and non-scientific audiences

• Adaptability and Initiative:

  • Proactive and solution-oriented with a demonstrated ability to tackle challenges in rapidly changing environments

  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and maintaining high-quality

  • Represent the Library in professional trade organizations

Requirements:

• Education/Experience

• Degree in a scientific discipline or library sciences plus pharmaceutical or biotech industry experience  - Bachelor’s and 12+ years of experience, Master’s and 10+ years, PhD and 5+ years

• 5+ years of experience in a leadership role within a library or information services environment, demonstrating effective team management, mentorship or people management, and development practices

• Ability to engage with users actively, gather feedback, and implement tailored library services and programs that enhance user experience and satisfaction

• Expertise in using major scientific research databases and resources such as Cortellis, Dialog, Embase, Scopus, SciFinder, STN, and Reaxys, along with proficiency in document delivery systems

• Extensive experience with biomedical, basic research, chemistry, and biotechnology information resources and commercial literature searching tools like DIALOG or STN as well as thesaurus knowledge

• Experience in managing library budgets, tracking expenditures, negotiating with vendors, and identifying cost-saving opportunities to maximize service ROI

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, able to articulate complex scientific concepts clearly to both scientific and non-scientific audiences

• Familiarity with emerging technologies such as text mining and machine learning, and their application in enhancing library services and resource discovery

• Ability to develop and maintain close working relationships with key internal departments and external contacts

• Proactive and adaptive with a strong ability to plan, prioritize and address challenges in a dynamic and fast-paced environment

• Critical thinking skills and ability to consolidate and understand complex data sets

• Demonstrate and maintain in-depth knowledge of the research pipeline, disease and therapeutic area(s), and industry trends

• Excellent presentation skills with the ability to tailor content to the audience

• High degree of comfort learning and applying new tools and digital technologies

• Innate scientific curiosity, technical creativity, and innovative thinking, motivated to break new ground in the field of information/literature analysis and knowledge discovery

• Interest in working collaboratively, cross-functionally, and in inter-disciplinary teams with an ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing to scientists and non-scientists

• Optimize/customize scientific content for delivery to end users

• Strong knowledge of drug discovery, statistical concepts, and evaluation and interpretation of complex scientific literature

• Systematic problem-solving, quick grasp of things and superior attention to detail in developing tailored solutions, high degree of reliability and integrity

• Well-organized and balances taking direction from others (sponsors, partners, clients) with taking initiative to manage multiple projects and learning responsibilities

Preferred

• Master of Library and Information Science or equivalent

• Expertise with Excel

• Experience with natural language processing, machine learning, automation, PowerApps, PowerBI

• Experience with advanced functionality of Teams

• Experience with data visualization using Spotfire, Tableau, etc.

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.

The Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job in certain states and cities within the United States. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and education.

Expected US salary range:

Available benefits include bonus eligibility, long term incentive if applicable, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. A summary of benefits is listed here.

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

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Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

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