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Description

THE POSTING FOR THIS POSITION CLOSES ON AUGUST 26, 2026

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

RUTHERFORD COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM (RCLS)

Position Profile:

The Board of Directors of the Rutherford County Library System (RCLS) is seeking an Executive Director to lead one of Tennessee's most dynamic and rapidly growing public library systems.

The Board seeks a collaborative and experienced leader with highly developed interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to accept, share, and delegate responsibility. The successful candidate will work closely with the Interim Director and the Manager of the Linebaugh Library branch during the transition period and onboarding process.

The Executive Director should possess experience with municipal budgeting, organizational management, and facilities oversight. Strong leadership skills, sound judgment, and a commitment to transparency and accountability are essential. The successful candidate will foster a positive organizational culture where employees are respected, supported, and empowered to contribute their best work.

As the public face of the Library System, the Executive Director will build and maintain strong relationships with community stakeholders, funding partners, and civic organizations. Responsibilities include regularly attending meetings of the Rutherford County Commission, Murfreesboro City Council, Smyrna Town Council, and Eagleville City Council, as well as representing the Library System within civic, educational, governmental, and nonprofit organizations throughout the community.

This is a full-time, exempt position with a minimum salary of $115,000, with additional compensation negotiable based on qualifications and experience. RCLS offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance through Cigna, participation in the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS), and other benefits available to eligible employees. All candidates will undergo appropriate background and credit checks by a third-party provider. 

Organization Description

Rutherford County is a vibrant and growing community located southeast of Nashville, with a population approaching 400,000 residents. The Rutherford County Library System (RCLS) operates six library locations and two bookmobiles and continues to explore opportunities for expansion to meet the needs of this fast-growing region. RCLS is a governmental nonprofit agency funded by Rutherford County and the municipalities of Eagleville, Murfreesboro, and Smyrna, Tennessee. While closely connected to these funding partners, the Library System is governed independently by its own Board of Directors. The Board consists of eleven members: four appointed by the Rutherford County Commission, four appointed by the Murfreesboro City Council, two appointed by the Smyrna Town Council, and one appointed by the Eagleville City Council.

Summary

The Executive Director provides vision, strategic leadership, and administrative oversight for the Rutherford County Library System (Library). The Executive Director ensures that Library services, programs, and operations align with community needs and organizational priorities while overseeing the day-to-day management of the Library System. Responsibilities include long-range planning, budgeting, organizational development, and the evaluation of programs and services. The Executive Director leads the development, implementation, and assessment of the Library's strategic plan in collaboration with the Board of Directors, staff, community stakeholders, and local government partners. This includes establishing organizational priorities, aligning resources with strategic goals, measuring outcomes, and ensuring the Library remains responsive to the evolving needs of the community. 

The Executive Director develops, administers, supervises, and coordinates the work of the Library and staff; performs executive managerial duties related to personnel, budget, collection development, building maintenance, and Library operations and services; and leads and supports Community Outreach efforts to strengthen partnerships, visibility, and engagement within the community.  

The Executive Director reports directly to the Library Board and represents the Library in the community, fostering relationships with stakeholders, government entities, and partner organizations. They will serve as an active participant on both the Library Foundation Board and the Friends of the Library Board. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Plans, implements, and evaluates Library services.
• Develops and administers policies concerning Library operations, human resources, budgets, and programs. 
• Provides supervision and delegates responsibilities for Library staff. 
• Initiates, develops and evaluates long and short-term goals and objectives in collaboration with the Board of Directors, staff and the public. 
• Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with public officials, civic and community groups and the general public; serve on community boards and committees for the benefit of the Library; attend funding body meetings throughout the year.
• Orients new board members and serves as a resource for board member activities. 
• Maintains awareness of trends in the field to ensure the Library remains relevant in the community it serves. 
• Interact with the administrative officers and managers of the funding bodies (e.g. city managers, mayors, chief financial officers, county administrators, and similar positions) as part of managing the relationship with the funding entities
• Prepares the annual budget and presents and explains budget requests to the Library Board; directs and controls the expenditure of fund allocations within constraints of approved budgets. 
• Works with the administrative staff and prepares monthly and annual financial and statistical reports for the Library Board and state agencies. 
• Reports monthly to the Board of Directors on the operation of the Library system utilizing data analysis and performance reporting in order to keep board members informed regarding the Library's program of service. 
• Oversees the Library's administrative functions and policies, including but not limited to Information Technology, Human Resources, Public Relations, Facilities, Collection Services and Finance.
• Determines the management structure of the organization and evaluates the performance of managers. 
• Reviews performance evaluations of staff members as appropriate.
• Serves as key spokesperson for the Library or designate staff members to do so as necessary. 
• Represent Library system to the larger library professional community, including active involvement in appropriate local, state, and national associations. 
• Advocates for public libraries at the local, state, regional, and national levels. 
• In accordance with Library policy, addresses public complaints that cannot be resolved at a lower level. 
• Maintains membership in professional organizations

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Master's degree required, with MLS/MLIS preferred. Candidates with an MBA, MPA, or equivalent combination of advanced education and significant leadership experience in libraries, public administration, or nonprofits will also be considered. 
• Increasingly responsible administrative, professional, and supervisory experience. 
• Minimum 5 years of administrative experience demonstrating progressively responsible leadership in library administration, nonprofit management, public-sector administration, or a similarly complex organizational environment requiring strategic planning, budget oversight, personnel management, and operational leadership. 
• Ability to work flexible hours to meet the requirements of the position. 
• This position is designated as full-time exempt under ?the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain productive and collaborative relationships within the Library and community. 
• Demonstrated effective organizational, decision-making, and time management skills. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 
• Demonstrated experience leading organizational strategic planning and budget development processes, including the ability to establish long-term goals, align resources with strategic priorities, measure organizational performance, and manage change in a complex organization.
• Strong commitment to patron services. 
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple responsibilities in a changing environment. 
• Experienced in managing personnel with strong interpersonal, listening, consensus-building, and problem-solving skills. 
• Successful budgetary management skills.