Mecklenburg County is hiring: Main Library Manager in Charlotte

Main Library Manager

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

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Please apply by 10/23/25

Salary Range $86,396.00 - $107,994.50

This is an exempt (salaried) position. Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity. Internal equity considerations include an assessment of the applicant’s salary history and qualifications in comparison to the market rate and requirements for the job.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is one of America’s leading urban public libraries, serving one of the country’s great emerging metropolitan areas in North Carolina. Our library system serves a community of approximately one million citizens in the city of Charlotte and the towns of Matthews, Pineville, Mint Hill, Davidson, Cornelius, and Huntersville – all located in Mecklenburg County. Accessible and welcoming to all, our library celebrates the joy of reading, fosters learning and growth, connects people to each other and the world, and inspires individuals with what they can achieve. Through our 20 locations, online, and through targeted outreach, we deliver exceptional library services and programs with a mission to create a community of readers and empower individuals with free access to information and the universe of ideas.

Location Until Main Library Opens

Library Administration Center
510 Stitt Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28213

Position Summary

Main Library is Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s (CML’s) flagship location, and a unique cultural and civic destination situated in the heart of Uptown Charlotte. Spanning 115,000 square feet, the new Main Library—scheduled to open in early 2027—is a transformative project envisioned as a future‑forward anchor for the community and a cornerstone of CML’s system‑wide strategic goals. Main Library will serve as a public commons connecting knowledge, culture, and creativity through library programs, specialized services, and partner‑delivered content. Co‑located with the Theatres at Spirit Square, this site is designed to be a vibrant, inclusive, and multi‑use hub with the goal of strengthening public engagement, supporting economic opportunity, and connecting community resources. This position is responsible for the daily operations, staffing, and strategic alignment of the Main Library facility. The Manager serves as a visionary leader who ensures a high standard of public service while stewarding a dynamic, collaborative team. As a key figure in bringing CML’s most ambitious capital project to life, the Main Library Manager will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to implement CML’s vision for community‑centered service and cultural connectivity.

Essential Functions

As a Library Innovator

• Lead the launch and continued development of services and programs that reflect the evolving needs of a diverse urban population.
• Collaborate with the Main Library Program Manager to deliver exceptional programming and experiences for adults, older adults, families, and creative professionals.
• Use demographic data and community input to ensure programming and services are relevant, inclusive, and equitable.
• Champion innovation by piloting new service models, technology solutions, and access initiatives tailored to the needs of Uptown Charlotte’s diverse users.
• Build strategic alliances with educational institutions, workforce development agencies, nonprofits, and cultural organizations to expand CML’s reach and relevance.

As a Library Manager

• Directly supervise department leaders including the Robinson‑Spangler Carolina Room Manager, Adult Services Manager, and Access Services Manager, with proposed future growth in Events Management and Administrative Support.
• Indirectly oversee a multidisciplinary team of professional, paraprofessional, and support staff.
• Develop leadership capacity among staff and create a high‑performance culture rooted in collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Oversee facility operations including safety, security, and maintenance, in coordination with County departments and vendors.
• Manage Library vendors (including café operator) in line with contractual obligations.
• Monitor and allocate budgets, project funds, and other financial resources strategically and responsibly.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for resolving complex customer service concerns and facility issues.

As a Collaborator

• Act as a central liaison to the Theaters at Spirit Square through a shared Operating Agreement, ensuring the Library and Theater work in coordinated, mutually beneficial ways.
• In partnership with ImaginOn Manager, work together to develop connections, and customer pathways between the two CML flagship locations.
• In partnership with Community Partnerships Manager, build and sustain strong relationships with arts and culture leaders to foster innovative cross‑sector programming.
• Represent Main Library in system‑wide strategic initiatives and serve as an advisor on key planning committees, including those guiding the construction, operations, and long‑term success of the new facility.
• Advocate for the CML’s mission as a partner in community learning, cultural enrichment, civic engagement, and equitable access to opportunity.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in library management, public service, or organizational leadership.

Education: Master’s Degree in Library Science/Information Studies or a related field such as public administration, education, or nonprofit leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven track record of managing complex library operations and large teams in an urban, high‑demand environment.
• Advanced knowledge of current and future‑focused library practices, evolving services, and contemporary and emerging resources.
• Familiarity with capital project implementation or facility transitions is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through change, inspire innovation, and operationalize strategic goals.
• Project management skills.
• Proven commitment to strong customer service.
• Proven commitment to serving community needs.
• Successful record with developing staff leadership skills and abilities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of

• Library science, adult learning, and cultural programming
• Civic engagement and public partnerships
• Circulation services and procedures
• Reference interview process
• Budgeting, personnel management, and organizational leadership

Skills

• Excellent verbal, grammatical and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Excellent time management skills with attention to detail
• Supervisory and leadership skills
• Researching industry trends, solutions, and best practices
• Working with a diverse population
• Public speaking and community representation

Abilities

• Building Partnerships: Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, community groups or organizations to help achieve business goals.
• Collaboration: Working effectively and cooperatively with others; establishing and maintain good working relationships.
• Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups to engage the audience and help them understand and retain the information.
• Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problems and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequence.
• Information Monitoring: Setting up ongoing procedures to collect and review information needed to manage an organization or ongoing activities.
• Technical/professional Knowledge and Skills: Having achieved a satisfactory level of technical and professional skill or knowledge in position‑related areas; keeping up with current developments and trends in areas of expertise.
• Work Standards: Setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self‑driven standards of excellence.
• Planning and Organizing: Establishing courses of action for self and others to ensure work is completed efficiently.
• Customer Focus: Ensuring that the customer perspective is a driving force behind business decisions and activities; crafting and implementing service practices that meet customers’ and the organization’s needs.
• Continuous Learning: Actively identifying new areas for learning; regularly creating and taking advantage of learning opportunities; using newly gained knowledge and skill on the job and learning through their application.

Computer Skills

Proficient in various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite.

Work Environment

Works in an office setting with moderate noise.

Selection

This classification has been identified as having a role in the development of ADA compliant technologies and for which the incumbent agrees to follow County policies to the best of their abilities in order to meet these obligations.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.