Job Description
About Our Job
Why Denver Public Library?
Denver – one of the nation's top places to live, work and play – needs the best people working for the residents of Denver. Denver Public Library (DPL) is one of the few places in the city where all people, from all backgrounds and life circumstances, are welcome free of charge. We have 26 branch libraries, in addition to our downtown Central location, which is undergoing a $70 million renovation to reimagine our customer-friendly and innovative spaces.
In November 2022, Denver’s voters acknowledged the Library’s value to the community through the Strong Library Strong Denver ballot measure that dedicated an additional $32+ million per year of funding. This funding not only supports our vision of a strong community where everyone thrives, it supports our largest asset – our staff, so that they may continue to embody our core values of – Welcoming, Curiosity, Connection, Equity and Stewardship.
Position Overview
Under the leadership of the City Librarian, the Chief Operations Officer (COO) will have fiscal oversight and comprehensive planning for the organization’s major support divisions including: Finance, Facilities, Safety and Information Technology. As COO, you will be responsible for approximately a $94M budget, including a $7M capital budget, which does not include funds issued from the City and County of Denver’s bond programs. You would be responsible for stewarding Denver Public Library assets including nearly 1M square feet in 27 libraries (soon to be 29), a fleet of vehicles, and multiple technology projects and platforms.
You, along with the Chiefs of Public Services and Equity & Strategy, as the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), will spearhead a culture of collaboration, connectedness and accountability by prioritizing work that is aligned with strategic objectives and outcomes. The COO is privileged in providing budgetary guidance, system enhancements, process improvements and technology recommendations that support the core functions of the library as well as the procurement and maintenance of safe, clean and welcoming spaces throughout our organization. As the COO, you will work closely with the CPSO to envision and oversee major capital projects including library renovations, new library construction, and other capital enhancements. Likewise, you will work with the CESO to collect and assess relevant data to inform decision-making, including staffing and service delivery models. The COO will oversee the reimagining of safety protocols and services provided by DPL staff to best support the evolution of Denver’s community from a social justice framework. You will foster conversations in collaboration with the ELT and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to best determine an inclusive and robust strategy, coupled with learning and development opportunities for staff.
Additionally, as COO, you will act as a representative of the City Librarian—something that calls for quick thinking, humility, maturity, and situational sensitivity.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Examples of duties, responsibilities, and specific areas of oversight include, but are not limited to, the following:
● Oversees the organizational structure, policies, procedures, staff assignments, service levels, and administrative systems for the library’s support divisions in collaboration with Human Resources
● Responsible for developing and maintaining comprehensive fiscal, safety and technology plans
● Directs the development and implementation of the library’s operational and capital budgets; leads data-informed budget and expenditure decisions for the library; oversees fiscal activities to ensure expenditures adhere to the approved budget; meets compliance requirements; ensures expenditures are fiscally prudent, and are in alignment with the Library’s mission and strategic plan
● In partnership with the CPSO, administers major capital projects including library renovations and/or new construction; coordinates associated community engagement activities tied to capital projects and enhancements
● Responsible for translating high-level vision and strategies to divisional priorities for execution by direct reports/SLT
● Directs the identification, implementation and analyses of opportunities for service enhancements
● Works collaboratively to develop and/or improve systems, processes, controls and practices/procedures that improve the overall efficiency of the library’s operations
● Provides timely, accurate and complete accounts of the operating condition of the library, including fiscal management, procurement, facility maintenance, safety and information technology
● Acts as a strategic partner on the ELT and works closely with the City Librarian and colleagues to ensure that operational expectations and benchmarks are established and met
● Consults, collaborates and coordinates with DPL departments, Mayoral administration and other City departments, as needed, in addressing service needs of functional areas; may represent the library to provide information to City Council, boards or commissions, committees and representatives from federal, state and local agencies, organizations and community leaders.
About You
Position Qualifications
REQUIRED:
● Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Organizational Development, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, or a closely related field
● Minimum of five (5) years of executive or senior level management level experience within a complex, multi-location organization
● Demonstrates experience and knowledge of complex financial budgets in excess of $1M
● Demonstrates strong project management, facilitation, coaching, consulting, written communication, and analytical skills
● Demonstrates knowledge of and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion principles and practices
● A sense of humor and a positive and enthusiastic approach to leadership
● Has the ability to develop ideas and perform the implementation steps to achieve results
● Experience demonstrating intercultural competencies and the ability to skillfully navigate cultural differences and similarities
● Demonstrates courageous leadership and an enthusiasm for risk taking and learning from failure
● Ability to work full-time, including evenings and weekends as needed
● Ability to navigate uncertainty and ambiguity while prioritizing work efforts to achieve overall strategy
● Ability to satisfactorily pass a background check after the offer has been made
PREFERRED:
● Master’s degree preferred
● Experience in a leadership capacity at a large urban library or similar complex multi-facility nonprofit or government organization
● Spanish speaking or bilingual
Other things to know:
Hiring pay scale: $125,176 - $168,988 Please submit your resume by the end of business on October 10, 2023 in order to be considered for this position. Resumes will be reviewed as they are received.
About Everything Else
Job Profile
LA1770 Executive
To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here.
Position Type
Unlimited
Library Hiring Range
$125,176.00 - $168,988.00
Starting Pay
125,176 - 168,988
Agency
Denver Public Library
Assessment Requirement
The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.