Chief Executive Officer, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Chief Executive Officer

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

ORGANIZATION:
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is one of America’s leading urban public libraries, serving a community of more than one million residents in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Through 22 locations, nearly 450 employees, targeted outreach and online resources, the Library delivers exceptional 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. Accessible and welcoming to all, the 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 by providing open access to its physical and electronic collections, information, and services to people of all ages and all walks of life.

The strategic plan for FY 2026-2028 reflects the Library’s commitment to providing inclusive and responsive library services and reflects the voices of the thousands of community members who participated in this process. The plan provides a clear direction for the future, helping to expand access, strengthen partnerships, and create meaningful opportunities for learning and connection. For more information on the strategic plan, please click here.

In November 2019, the Library unveiled the design for its new $137 million, 115,000-square-foot Main Library in Uptown Charlotte. The new Main Library will serve as the “public commons,” and is designed to be an architecturally distinctive, state-of-the-art, technologically advanced knowledge center, welcoming everyone in the community to access the resources of a 21st century library. Serving as the gateway to a re-imagined corridor – the new Main Library will allow opportunities to connect with others, participate in the public life of the community, and is poised to become a major destination in Uptown Charlotte. For information on the Main Library project, click here.

For additional information, please visit www.cmlibrary.org.

REPORTS/RELATIONSHIPS:
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) reports to the 11-member Board of Trustees and leads a senior leadership team (SLT) that includes the Chief Library Services Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, Chief Financial and Administration Officer, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, and Chief Development Officer.

BASIC FUNCTIONS:
The CEO is the Library’s chief executive and strategic leader, responsible for setting long-term vision and advancing the strategic plan to ensure organizational sustainability and community impact. Serving as the Library’s primary representative locally, statewide, and nationally, the CEO acts as an industry ambassador and maintains key relationships with Mecklenburg County leadership as a member of the County Manager’s Cabinet.

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the CEO leads the Executive (Senior) Leadership Team responsible for the day-to-day operational, administrative, and community impact of the organization including but not limited to Branch Services; Equity and Inclusion; Workplace Culture; Operations; Technology; Finance; Human Resources; Collections and Access; Marketing and Communications; Programs and Outreach; Innovation; and Fundraising. Together, the CEO and Leadership Team align organizational resources, talent, and infrastructure to deliver on the Library’s mission to improve lives and build a stronger community within Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.

Specific duties will include, but not necessarily be limited to:

Strategic Planning and Organizational Leadership

Lead and mentor the Leadership Team, fostering a culture of accountability, service, and innovation. Align Library priorities with the Board of Trustees, Board of County Commissioners, and community expectations.
Partner with the Leadership Team to set and drive the organization’s long-range strategic direction and annual strategic business plan.
Cultivate a workplace committed to continuous improvement and grounded in the Library’s core values of learning, openness, respect, inclusion, and leadership.
Align strategic goals, priorities, and execution with the organization’s mission, vision, and core values.
Guide operations through a current long-range strategy and annual business plan(s) supported by clear key performance indicators (KPIs).
Achieve organizational goals while maintaining full compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
Maintain an effective and accessible physical footprint across the county.
In collaboration with the Leadership Team, optimize resources, programs, and services to serve all residents, while modeling strong coaching and staff development practices.

Governance and Board Engagement

Serve as the face of the organization and lead all enterprise level needs including Board governance, county, and other key external community relationships including elected leaders.
Ensure that the Board has the capacity, level of engagement, information, and processes to lead and advocate for the organization and inspire confidence among funders, partners, the community, and staff.
Support the necessary Board and committee structure and processes to accomplish organizational business through efficient and effective meetings and committee activity.
Work with the Executive Committee and Leadership Team to plan engaging Board meetings to provide trustees with the information and structure they need to govern effectively.
Support the Governance Committee to identify, cultivate, and recruit Board candidates with specific skill sets and experiences required to assist with and advise on Library activities.
Support the Governance Committee in coordinating with the County and Board of Education to recommend appointment of qualified Board candidates who meet specific, identified Board needs.

Financial Management and Sustainability

Support the CFO to ensure that the organization has a sufficient mix and amount of resources to fund current and intermediate operating and capital needs and has funding mechanisms and strategies in place to sustain the organization for the long-term.
Support the CFO to manage the organization’s relationship with Mecklenburg County staff to ensure funding is predictable and sufficient; work closely with Finance and other key organizational leaders to execute on the partnership with the County.
Work with Library & Foundation Board leadership to ensure fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability of the Library’s goal to provide free services and access to all.
Provide ongoing support to the Library Foundation and the Foundation’s private fundraising activities; offer guidance, participate in fundraising and donor cultivation activities, and work to ensure that the Library and Library Foundation’s activities are integrated and aligned.
Actively participate in strategy development, activities, and efforts to build a large unrestricted endowment for the benefit of the Library.
Ensure that the organization has the people, processes, policies, procedures, and partners in place to achieve its financial goals, operate with the highest level of financial integrity, and enjoy a reputation for public transparency and financial stewardship.
Support the CFO to establish an annual budget, oversee its successful execution, and report accurate and timely results to the Board, Mecklenburg County, and other stakeholders.

Community Engagement and External Relations

Ensure that strategies are in place to leverage the organization’s areas of focus: access & welcome, learn & engage, prepare & excel, and deliver the once in a generation new Main Library – to ensure its recognition as essential to a healthy, growing, caring, and cohesive community.
Ensure that the Library is actively engaged on the community stage, and act as trusted convener of the community, its leaders, and the Library organization.

REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum of ten years of progressive and successful senior leadership experience, preferably in public libraries.
Proven leader of complex operations spanning finance, human resources, and administrative functions.
Deep knowledge of government financial systems, including budgeting, capital planning, and government accounting.
Experienced in overseeing HR and administrative areas such as performance management, compensation structures, and policy compliance, with a strong commitment to transparency, equity, and organizational excellence.
A visionary with passion for libraries, for the work of librarians, the learning and community building they enable, and the diverse populations they serve.
Passion for coaching and developing team members; able to navigate adversity with grace and kindness.
Adept at and motivated to spend time with frontline staff and patrons “on the ground” in the branches.
Demonstrated commitment to racial equity work; able to cross cultural boundaries to build and maintain strong working relationships; commitment to upward mobility and creating economic opportunity.
Demonstrated track record of successful fundraising and organizational growth preferred; comfortable “making the ask” and serving as a key fundraiser.
Strong interpersonal communication skills and sensitivity to the needs of a diverse ethnic population; influencer and negotiator.
Outstanding communicator, both oral and written; active listener; able to connect with diverse stakeholders; effective public speaking skills.
An innovative collaborator and creative problem-solver; able to attract, inspire, and engage others; sensitive to diverse points of view and keen awareness of stakeholder needs and how to build collaborative partnerships based upon fundamental principles.
Building Strategic Work Relationships – Developing and using collaborative relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals.
Aligning Performance for Success – Focusing and guiding others in accomplishing work objectives and setting organizational standards for management and accountability
Strategic Decision Making – Obtaining information and identifying key issues and relationships relevant to achieving a long-range goal or vision; committing to a course of action to accomplish a long-range goal or vision after developing alternatives based on logical assumptions, facts, available resources, constraints, and organizational values.
Formal Presentation – Presenting ideas effectively to individuals or groups when given time to prepare; delivering presentations suited to the characteristics and needs of the audience.
Leading through Vision and Values – Keeping the organization’s vision and values at the forefront of associate decision-making and action.
Decisive and systems orientation; able to drill down and make sound business decisions based on data.
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, and agency rules, and the political climate.
Skilled in leading and managing leaders; creating an environment of autonomy and accountability that empowers senior leadership team members to thrive in their roles
Skilled in considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one
Skilled in identifying complex problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions
Skilled in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems
Skilled in talking to others to convey information effectively
Skilled in adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions
Advanced computer skills to include the use of Microsoft Office.
Undergraduate degree required; a master’s degree in a related field is preferred.
Valid North Carolina or South Carolina driver’s license.
Ability to obtain and maintain a County Operator’s Permit (COP).

COMPENSATION:
Compensation will be commensurate with experience including a competitive base salary, bonus opportunity, and competitive benefits package.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:
To apply, provide a referral, or obtain additional information, please use the contact information below. Interested candidates may submit a cover letter and resume via email directly to jhedin@clcbsearch.com to apply. Resumes will be screened based on the criteria outlined in this brochure. Please visit cmlibrary.org to learn more about the organization.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at all levels of its workforce.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
For more information, please contact:

Jonas Hedin, Managing Partner
jhedin@CLCBsearch.com
704-377-0362
Coleman Lew Canny Bowen