Chief, Music Division

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Music Division, Special Collections Directorate, Researcher and Collections Services. The position description number for this position is 466619.

The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. The incumbent of this position will work a flextime work schedule.

The tour of duty for this position is full-time. This is a supervisory, non-bargaining unit position.

Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.

The competencies below are required for this position. Those marked with a double asterisk (**) are considered the most critical competencies for this position.

A candidate's resume must show a proven record of accomplishment that clearly demonstrates he or she has experience: Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and techniques of library and archival practice as it relates to music, theater, and dance collections and the provision of researcher services & public programs.

** The successful candidate has applied professional knowledge of library, archival, and information management principles, concepts, and techniques to manage functions and deliver programs in a research library setting; using this knowledge to acquire content, organize material, provide access to analog and digital collections documenting music, theater, and dance, and promote user engagement.

Experience with the following: 1) established strategies and priorities for music, theater, and dance collections development and management; 2) set policies and procedures to preserve, secure, organize, describe, digitize and make collections accessible; 3) enriched the onsite and online user experience around collections and services and increased usage by diverse user groups; 4) developed collaborative approaches to public outreach and programs to increase the use of Library collections and services; and 5) incorporated assessment activities into routine procedures for collections, services, and programs.

Ability to supervise, develop, and lead a diverse cultural heritage workforce.

** The successful candidate has supervised and managed a diverse workforce including, 1) establishing realistic yet challenging goals and standards; 2) supplying regular, constructive feedback, mentoring to assist staff in attaining their goals; 3) incorporating active participation of staff in planning, decision making and team building; 4) identifying skills and abilities of staff and any skill gaps in the workforce for current and future needs; 5) providing opportunities for training and career advancement; 6) hiring staff; 7) addressing performance and disciplinary matters; 8) communicating performance expectations; 9) conducting timely and periodic performance evaluations; 10) ensuring tasks are appropriately delegated and satisfactorily completed; and 11) creating and embracing an environment fostering diversity, integrity, and honesty focused on ongoing improvement to self and others and to customer service.

Ability to think strategically and lead change. ** The successful candidate establishes and implements a strategic vision and direction for an organization or group and leads and effects change.

This includes evaluating interdependencies and interrelationships among functions and resources and outcomes; developing performance targets; and identifying strategic opportunities.

This also includes championing ideas that promote the mission with enthusiasm, conviction, and assertiveness; gaining support and commitment from others; and motivating and inspiring others.

Participates in developing and implementing revisions to an organization’s strategy for adapting to new challenges.

Responsible for implementing at least one major component of a strategy change for an organization.

Discusses the importance of evaluating organizational progress against targets and/or to adjusting targets or expectations as appropriate.

Ability to provide program oversight and administrative management to agency programs and operations.

** The successful candidate has provided a wide range of managerial, analytical, technical, and advisory functions related to the administrative programs within the division.

This included the following: 1) provided oversight for human resources, finance, information technology, facilities management and other services, 2) oversaw and guided short- and long-term strategic planning initiatives, 3) accomplished strategic and organizational goals by ensuring the effective interaction and integration of processes, 4) delegated and managed financial operations, 5) provided operational services in support of workforce planning goals, 6) managed effective and efficient administration of facilities requirements, 7) set performance expectations, 8) provided advice, counsel and training to staff, 9) developed policies and guidelines affecting agency programs, and 10) directed, monitored and participated in outreach initiatives.

Ability to build coalitions and professional networks across and outside of an organization.

The successful candidate has identified, built, and maintained relationships and professional networks to gain support and commitment from stakeholders and other strategic partners within and outside of the organization; members of the performing arts and cultural heritage communities; industry partners; and colleagues in relevant academic, library and archival fields.

This includes: 1) participating in and representing the institution at professional association and industry meetings; 2) working collaboratively with other departments, agencies and organizations to further agency goals and objectives; 3) establishing cordial relationships with donors and potential donors to obtain additions to Library collections; and 4) working with the archival and research library community to identify and cooperate in response to trends and issues related to the collections and services of the Library.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

The successful candidate has the ability to speak clearly, politely, and under control to peers, staff, managers, supervisors, and external audiences to both provide and seek information.

This also includes actively listening to and understanding information; and listening to and answering questions thoughtfully and completely. Major Duties:

Career Showcase-Chief, Music Division (VAR003220) 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

ET This event will be live streamed on Zoom for Government Join a live, virtual Career Showcase to learn about an exciting career opportunity directly from senior leaders at the Library of Congress.

Simply log on to the link below on Wednesday, January 21, at 1:00 p.m. (ET) to learn about the Chief, Music Division position at the Library of Congress. Registration is not required.

To participate anonymously, simply identify yourself as "Anonymous2026" when entering the session. Please join the webinar on Zoom>> When: Wednesday, January 21, at 1:00 p.m.

Eastern Time (US and Canada) Topic: Library of Congress Career Showcase | Chief, Music Division Telephone: 1 669 254 5252 Webinar ID: 1613599942 Request ADA accommodations five business days in advance at

707-6362 or ada@loc.gov. A recording of the Career Showcase will be available by no later three business days following the event.

The position serves as the Chief of the Music Division, and reports to the Director of the Special Collections Directorate (SCD), in the Researcher and Collection Services (RCS) Service Unit within the Library Collections and Services Group (LCSG).

The Chief of the Music Division is a forward-looking, people-focused, and collaborative leader with broad responsibility for the development, stewardship, interpretation, promotion, and service of the music, theater, and dance collections under the Division’s purview to meet the needs of government officials, researchers, and all users who request information or seek access to collections and services.

Under the Chief’s general direction, the Music Division’s primary role is to expand access to and enhance the research value and use of one of the foremost performing arts repositories in the United States and to engage new audiences through public programming, including the Concerts from the Library of Congress series, as part of the Library’s broader programming initiatives.

The Chief of the Music Division receives general policy guidance from the Director, Special Collections Directorate and has primary managerial and professional responsibility for directing the activities of the Division and related external activities and supervising Division staff.

The Chief provides vision and leadership for the development and maintenance of the Library’s music, theater, and dance collections.

This includes the integration of digital technology and facilitation of the effective use of these collections by researchers, visitors, and others worldwide, including the future direction of research services, public programming, and outreach.

The Chief is responsible for cultivating relationships with potential donors, securing funds for new initiatives in concert with Library Development, selectively acquiring new collections, and thoughtfully enhancing services and programs.

The Chief provides national leadership in the fields of music, theater, dance, and the performing arts community and represents the Library at national and international meetings, events, and programs, especially those related to the Division’s collections.

The Chief plays a key role in establishing a positive image for the Library and its collections, as well as its service to Congress, researchers, visitors, and the general public.

Exercises responsibility for the overall execution of the Division’s budget for appropriated, gift and trust funds, balancing the needs of collections, services, programs, and staffing.

Sets and implements a collection development strategy that ensures a diverse, balanced, and sustainable portfolio in the Division’s major collection areas of music, theater, and dance, ensuring that analog and digital collection are relevant to researcher needs and that they are served in a timely and efficient manner.

Leads efforts to sustainably steward the Division’s collections and to increase access, discovery, use, and dissemination of the Division’s collections and resources, both analog and digital, for all users, both onsite and offsite.

Ensures the Division supports the vision of being a library for all, onsite and online, and builds services and programs around the needs of researchers and visitors.

Leads efforts to raise awareness and promote outreach and engagement with the Division’s collections and resources for users, including Congress, researchers, visitors, and the public, both national and international.

Oversees the planning and execution of the concert series sponsored by the Library of Congress.

Performs the full range of human resource management functions relative to directly and indirectly supervised staff. Performs other duties as assigned.

Relocation fees may be considered for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.