Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kitchener Public Library

We are not just about books, and growth is on the agenda!

Kitchener Public Library is a hub of activity and one of the most significant community spaces in the City of Kitchener and is known for leading public library innovation in Canada. Through diverse perspectives and programming, Kitchener Public Library provides spaces for all to flourish, whether through community, creativity, experience, or learning.

The library boasts five locations located throughout the city including the award-winning Central Library near the downtown core. A sixth fully net-zero library is scheduled to open in 2025. The library has 102,000 active members and welcomes 1.2 million visitors each year and has been fully fines-free since 2021.

With our growth comes an exciting career opportunity for a progressive, innovative Chief Executive Officer who is looking for their next professional challenge as they participate in the upcoming Strategic Planning process and lead a high-quality, customer-oriented organization.

In the role of CEO, you will report to the Board of Directors. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kitchener Public Library (KPL) is responsible for providing strategic leadership and vision to the library and the community it serves by creating high-quality public library service.

The CEO also plans, organizes, and directs all facets of Kitchener Public Library operations to meet the needs of the community for public library services within the strategic, policy and financial framework established by the Board.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 8-10 years of progressive senior management experience within the Public or Private sector, with experience with similar-sized public libraries being preferred. A post-graduate degree in library science (MLIS designation) would be ideal, however a combination of education and experience would be considered. The ideal candidate must have demonstrated leadership skills with a team-oriented management style including senior level supervisory experience in a library or similar environment. The ideal candidate will also have excellent verbal/written communication skills and great interpersonal skills with the ability to resolve conflicts and deal with sensitive or political issues in an effective and timely manner.

To view the complete position profile, please download the PDF Profile (here).

If you wish to be considered for the position, please forward a cover letter and your resume in PDF format by email to Kartik Kumar at careers@lesp.ca by November 30th @11:59 pm.

Please be assured that any information shared with Legacy Partners will be treated with the strictest confidence and shared only with the client for the purposes of this search.

Thank you once again for your interest.

Legacy Partners and the Kitchener Public Library are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse staff is essential to organizational excellence. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and encourage women, members of racialized communities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity to confidentially self-identify at the time of application. In accordance with the provincial legislation, accommodation will be provided by Legacy Partners and the organization throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities.