Assistant Executive Director of Library Operations - Riverside County, CA
Library Systems & Services, LLC, Jurupa Valley, CA, United States
The Assistant Executive Director of Library Operations serves as a Senior Leader for the Riverside County Library System and acts as a key partner to the Executive Director.
This role provides high-level operational leadership, staff mentorship, and strategic support to ensure vibrant, responsive libraries that inspire both staff and community members.
The Assistant Executive Director helps translate vision into action, strengthens organizational culture, and ensures consistent service excellence across the system. This position requires frequent travel (approximately 60–70%) to library locations, clients, and community partners.
Leadership & Strategic Support
Partner with the Executive Director and stakeholders to support implementation of the long-range vision for RCLS aligned with community priorities
Lead execution and ongoing evaluation of the Strategic Plan; integrate strategic goals into operations, budgeting, and staff work plans
Support future strategic planning efforts and facilitate systemwide alignment
Provide leadership and direction to senior and branch-level managers in delivering relevant, engaging services
Stay current on library and leadership best practices and help implement innovative service models
Organizational Culture & Talent Development
Support systemwide retention, engagement, succession planning, and leadership development
Mentor managers and emerging leaders; help build leadership capacity at all levels
Promote a culture of exceptional customer service, accountability, and continuous improvement
Foster collaboration, transparency, and cross-departmental communication
Serve as a visible, accessible leader who builds trust and rapport across the organization
Operational & Financial Leadership
Oversee day-to-day operational performance across library locations in alignment with strategic priorities
Partner in development and oversight of operating and collections budgets; monitor financial performance and resource utilization
Support pursuit of grants, partnerships, and supplemental funding opportunities
Build relationships with Friends of the Library groups and support the growth of the Library Foundation
Community & Partner Engagement
Represent the Library at community meetings, partner events, and public forums as assigned
Support relationship management with local officials, community leaders, and stakeholder organizations
Promote the Library’s role in education, literacy, and lifelong learning
Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to increase visibility and community engagement
Administration & System Performance
Support operational management of RCLS to ensure alignment with mission, strategy, and contractual expectations
Develop and monitor procedures, quality standards, and performance indicators
Utilize LibraryIQ tools and data analytics to assess services, collections, and community impact
Ensure collections remain responsive to community needs
Support compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and library best practices
Assist in preparation of annual reports and partner briefings
Support internal communication strategies to keep staff informed, aligned, and engaged
Provide leadership oversight for the Edward Dean Museum and Gardens as assigned
Partner Relationship Management
Maintain strong working relationships with Riverside County partners and stakeholders
Serve as a secondary point of escalation for partner and patron concerns
Support preparation of reports and performance updates for County partners
Help ensure RCLS meets contractual scope of work and service expectations
Qualifications
Master’s degree in library science or library and information studies (MLS/MLIS required)
3+ years of senior management experience in library or related public service environments
Demonstrated success leading managers, coaching teams, and driving organizational performance
Experience working with government or contracted service environments preferred
Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build trust and engagement
Collaborative leader who fosters teamwork and alignment
Strategic thinker with the ability to execute and drive results
Customer-focused with a commitment to service excellence
Skilled in financial and operational data analysis
Proven ability to thrive in a complex, fast-paced environment
Requirements
Frequent travel to library locations, community meetings, and partner sites
Availability for evening and weekend meetings and community events
On-call availability for urgent or emergency operational situations
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Excellent organizational and time management skills
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
High level of reliability and professional accountability
Must maintain a reliable source of personal transportation
Must reside in Riverside County, CA, or within a 25-mile radius
Compensation: $135,000 - $150,000 annually
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This role provides high-level operational leadership, staff mentorship, and strategic support to ensure vibrant, responsive libraries that inspire both staff and community members.
The Assistant Executive Director helps translate vision into action, strengthens organizational culture, and ensures consistent service excellence across the system. This position requires frequent travel (approximately 60–70%) to library locations, clients, and community partners.
Leadership & Strategic Support
Partner with the Executive Director and stakeholders to support implementation of the long-range vision for RCLS aligned with community priorities
Lead execution and ongoing evaluation of the Strategic Plan; integrate strategic goals into operations, budgeting, and staff work plans
Support future strategic planning efforts and facilitate systemwide alignment
Provide leadership and direction to senior and branch-level managers in delivering relevant, engaging services
Stay current on library and leadership best practices and help implement innovative service models
Organizational Culture & Talent Development
Support systemwide retention, engagement, succession planning, and leadership development
Mentor managers and emerging leaders; help build leadership capacity at all levels
Promote a culture of exceptional customer service, accountability, and continuous improvement
Foster collaboration, transparency, and cross-departmental communication
Serve as a visible, accessible leader who builds trust and rapport across the organization
Operational & Financial Leadership
Oversee day-to-day operational performance across library locations in alignment with strategic priorities
Partner in development and oversight of operating and collections budgets; monitor financial performance and resource utilization
Support pursuit of grants, partnerships, and supplemental funding opportunities
Build relationships with Friends of the Library groups and support the growth of the Library Foundation
Community & Partner Engagement
Represent the Library at community meetings, partner events, and public forums as assigned
Support relationship management with local officials, community leaders, and stakeholder organizations
Promote the Library’s role in education, literacy, and lifelong learning
Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to increase visibility and community engagement
Administration & System Performance
Support operational management of RCLS to ensure alignment with mission, strategy, and contractual expectations
Develop and monitor procedures, quality standards, and performance indicators
Utilize LibraryIQ tools and data analytics to assess services, collections, and community impact
Ensure collections remain responsive to community needs
Support compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and library best practices
Assist in preparation of annual reports and partner briefings
Support internal communication strategies to keep staff informed, aligned, and engaged
Provide leadership oversight for the Edward Dean Museum and Gardens as assigned
Partner Relationship Management
Maintain strong working relationships with Riverside County partners and stakeholders
Serve as a secondary point of escalation for partner and patron concerns
Support preparation of reports and performance updates for County partners
Help ensure RCLS meets contractual scope of work and service expectations
Qualifications
Master’s degree in library science or library and information studies (MLS/MLIS required)
3+ years of senior management experience in library or related public service environments
Demonstrated success leading managers, coaching teams, and driving organizational performance
Experience working with government or contracted service environments preferred
Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build trust and engagement
Collaborative leader who fosters teamwork and alignment
Strategic thinker with the ability to execute and drive results
Customer-focused with a commitment to service excellence
Skilled in financial and operational data analysis
Proven ability to thrive in a complex, fast-paced environment
Requirements
Frequent travel to library locations, community meetings, and partner sites
Availability for evening and weekend meetings and community events
On-call availability for urgent or emergency operational situations
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Excellent organizational and time management skills
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
High level of reliability and professional accountability
Must maintain a reliable source of personal transportation
Must reside in Riverside County, CA, or within a 25-mile radius
Compensation: $135,000 - $150,000 annually
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