Join the Center for Research Libraries 

Another Source is proud to partner with the Center for Research Libraries (CRL) in the search for its next Chief Operating Officer.

No library experience is required. We're seeking an accomplished operational executive who has built systems, partnered with executive leadership, and led complex, mission-driven organizations.

The COO oversees finance, human resources, technology, procurement, facilities, governance, and organizational operations while partnering closely with the President, Board, and external advisors to strengthen operational excellence. The role also provides executive oversight of more than $100 million in collaborative licensing transactions and  helps steward a financially healthy nonprofit and shape its important economic role in higher education.

This is an ideal opportunity for an executive who enjoys building organizations—helping an organization consolidate its strengths and realize its potential.

This is more than a Chief Operating Officer role—it's an opportunity to help shape the future of one of higher education's most distinctive collaborative organizations.

Reporting directly to the President, the COO will help lead CRL through its next chapter of operational maturity, building the systems, processes, and organizational infrastructure that will support the organization's ambitious 2027–2030 Strategic Directions.  With the foundation for CRL’s next chapter now in place, this is an opportunity to help an already successful, financially strong institution become even more effective.

The Chief Operating Officer serves as the President's primary operational partner, leading finance, human resources, technology, procurement, facilities, governance, and institutional operations while ensuring strategy is translated into measurable organizational outcomes. The COO will help steward an annual operating budget of approximately $7–9 million, oversee procurement and financial operations, and partner with external accounting and legal advisors to ensure strong operational performance and compliance. The role also provides executive oversight of CRL's collaborative licensing operations, which facilitate more than $100 million in annual transactions on behalf of member institutions while helping guide policies related to operating reserves, long-term investments, and organizational sustainability.

About the Center for Research Libraries

Founded in 1949, the Center for Research Libraries is an independent, nonprofit research library and membership organization dedicated to preserving and expanding access to the scholarly record. Owned and governed by nearly 200 colleges, universities, and research institutions across the United States and Canada, CRL helps its members preserve, discover, and share unique research collections through collaboration that no single institution could achieve alone.

Rather than operating as a traditional association or commercial service provider, CRL functions as a shared enterprise, allowing member institutions to collectively preserve collections, negotiate licensing agreements, expand access to scholarly resources, and build research infrastructure that would be difficult or impossible to sustain independently.

CRL stewards one of North America's premier shared research collections, including more than 1.5 million cataloged titles, approximately 85 million digitized pages, and materials representing nearly 280 languages. In addition to its collections, CRL provides collaborative licensing, preservation, digitization, collection analysis, and shared-print services that support scholars around the world.

With approximately $30 million in assets, no debt, and a bold 2027–2030 Strategic Directions framework, CRL is entering an exciting period focused on technology innovation, artificial intelligence, operational excellence, and new models of collaboration.

Learn more about CRL:
https://www.crl.edu/

Explore CRL's 2027–2030 Strategic Directions:
https://www.crl.edu/crl-strategic-directions-2027-2030

View CRL's Annual Reports:
https://www.crl.edu/annual-reports

Why This Role. Why Now.

CRL has spent more than 75 years helping research libraries accomplish together what no single institution could achieve alone. Today, with approximately $30 million in assets, no debt, strong operating reserves, and an ambitious strategic vision, the organization is investing in technology, artificial intelligence, organizational effectiveness, and new models of collaboration.

The next Chief Operating Officer will play a central role in translating that vision into execution—strengthening operational systems, improving cross-functional collaboration, and building the organizational capacity needed for CRL's next era of growth. This is an opportunity to leave a lasting organizational legacy while helping one of higher education's most respected collaborative organizations realize its full potential.

Chief Operating Officer:

If you are interested in this role, submit your application using the link to apply below. 

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Reporting directly to the President, the COO serves as the President's strategic partner and deputy for operations, helping translate vision into execution while building the organizational systems that will support CRL's next chapter. 

This role is ideal for an accomplished operational executive who enjoys working at the intersection of strategy, finance, technology, governance, organizational development, and mission-driven leadership.

Why leaders are excited about this opportunity

• Serve as the President's strategic partner and trusted advisor in shaping CRL's future. 
  
• Help build the implementation of CRL's 2027–2030 Strategic Directions. 
• Lead a financially strong organization with approximately $30 million in assets and no debt.
• Provide executive leadership across finance, human resources, technology, governance, procurement, facilities, and operations.
• Build scalable systems and organizational capabilities that will support CRL's future growth and long-term impact.

You don't need library experience to succeed here.

CRL is seeking an accomplished operational executive with experience leading complex, mission-driven organizations. Leaders from higher education, nonprofit organizations, associations, healthcare, research organizations, and other values-driven environments are encouraged to apply.

Salary:  $160,000 - $180,000 ; salary is commensurate with experience. 

Job type: Full-time position on-site in Chicago, Illinois

Application Deadline:  September 5, 2026

Employee Benefits at CRL

CRL offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees' health, financial well-being, and work-life balance, including:

• Competitive paid vacation, sick leave, and personal time
• Eleven paid holidays, including two floating holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Retirement savings options, including an employer-funded Defined Contribution Retirement Plan
• Relocation assistance for this position

 2026 Insurance Benefits Guide.pdf