Work at the Library!

Welcome and thank you for considering a career at Desert Foothills Library! The Library offers a variety of positions in both public and support services with an innovative and fast-paced team.

We offer valuable benefits and services to our staff, per eligibility requirements. By becoming a part of our team, you will play an important role in engaging our community in literacy and learning!

Nestled in the foothills of the town Cave Creek, Desert Foothills Library is a dynamic and beloved community asset. The Library offers free memberships to all Maricopa County residents and thrives because of individual community members’ generous financial support. With 20,000 square feet of books, audiovisual materials, a large used bookstore, meeting and study rooms, a demonstration kitchen, a beautiful patio with mountain views and much more, the Library is a wonderful place to relax, visit with friends, and to work. Innovative and creative staff host more than 1,300 programs a year and more than 100 community members give their time as volunteers to ensure patrons get personalized, friendly service.

Desert Foothills Library provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, age, disability status, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, political affiliation or any other protected characteristic in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Library by drone - 1994

Career Opportunities

Executive Director

Position Description

The Executive Director provides professional, administrative, and supervisory leadership in guiding the operations of the library. The Executive Director oversees all library services and resources and is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of all library functions.

This role involves performing a wide range of complex and highly responsible duties requiring strong leadership, independent judgment, and strategic initiative in planning, managing, and evaluating the administration of DFLA. The Executive Director ensures the development and delivery of high-quality library services that meet the evolving needs of individuals and the broader community.

Essential Functions

  • Strategic Planning
    • Review strategic plan on a regular basis, working with the Board of Directors to update and improve.
    • Develop aspirations, and individual tactical goals that align with strategic goals of the library.
  • Leading Staff
    • Effectively initiate and manage hiring, training, motivating, and managing a diverse group of staff and volunteers.
    • Use HR systems and resources to establish and enforce policies related to staff.
  • Fundraising/Revenue Generation
    • Maintain overall responsibility for all fundraising activities while supervising the Director of Development
    • Ensure revenue generation activities are run smoothly and effectively
    • Build and maintain critical relationships with all levels of donors.
    • Provide leadership to Director of Development in the submission of grants to support the mission of the library
  • Library Operations and Facilities
    • Report to the Board of Directors regularly on operations of the library.
    • Create and manage the annual budget.
    • Initiate new programs, activities, and events that enhance the library experience.
    • Effectively manage the library facilities using qualified contractors.
  • Community Relations
    • Participate in community activities and events that provide an opportunity to enhance the library’s visibility and place in the community.
    • Represent the library at civic and community events

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate will share the Desert Foothills Library’s commitment to its mission and will bring a broad range of skills and experience including but not limited to:

  • 10+ years of progressive leadership experience, ideally in libraries, nonprofits, education, or public-sector institutions.
  • Demonstrated success leading organizational change, modernization initiatives, or transformation.
  • Experience supervising senior staff, cross-functional teams, or diverse workforces.
  • Track record of successfully establishing and nurturing effective working relationships with organizational leadership, board members, donors, prospects, and staff.
  • Proven strategic planning and implementation experience, ideally at the organizational or multi-branch level.
  • Expertise in budgeting and financial oversight, including multi-million-dollar budgets.
  • Knowledge of principles and practices of library operations is a plus
  • Knowledge of fundraising including individual gift solicitation and corporate engagement
  • Excellent spoken and written communications skills; goal-oriented and close attention to detail.
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility
  • Must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends.
  • Energy, initiative, creativity, and drive; ability to perform at a high level in a fast-paced environment and manage/supervise multiple projects to meet timelines and deadlines.
  • High comfort level with improving systems, analyzing data, and using data and metrics as management tools.
  • Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 10 years as an organizational leader. Non-profit leadership is a plus.
  • Have a valid AZ driver’s license.
  • The person employed by Desert Foothills Library as Executive Director shall reside in the State of Arizona during his or her active employment by DFL, regardless of whether the employee is approved for remote work.

Why consider the opportunity?

  • An opportunity to lead a beloved, mission-driven community institution with deep local support and a strong reputation.
  • This is a high-impact executive leadership role with full strategic, operational, and fundraising responsibility.
  • Meaningful community engagement and visibility, representing the library at civic and cultural events while building partnerships across Cave Creek, Carefree, and North Scottsdale.
  • A chance to innovate and expand services, launching new programs, enhancing the library experience, and adapting offerings to meet evolving community needs.

For more information, please contact:

Haley Dagit                           
Senior Executive Recruiter
(602) 654-1995
hdagit@duffygroup.com

Colleen Neese
Practice Director
(602) 802-8329
cneese@duffygroup.com