Vacancy for Assistant Director at Marsh’s Library

Job Title: Assistant Director
Location: Marsh’s Library, Dublin
Reports To: Director of Marsh’s Library
Employment Type: Full-time
Salary: €50,000 – €74,000
Closing Date: Friday, 14 November 2025 at 5.00 pm (Irish time).

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Assistant Director at Marsh’s Library

Marsh’s Library, founded in 1707, was Ireland’s first public library and is one of the last public libraries from 18^th-century Europe still used for its original purpose. Renowned for its historic collections and beautiful architecture, the library is both a busy tourist attraction and an important repository of early modern books and manuscripts. We strive to preserve our historic buildings and collections and make the library relevant to new and diverse audiences.

Marsh’s Library is seeking a dynamic Assistant Director to join its team of fourteen full-time and part-time staff, fourteen volunteers, and several interns from industry and academic programmes in Ireland and internationally. Reporting to the Director, the Assistant Director will have significant input into the strategic direction of the library as well as its day-to-day operations.

The Assistant Director will have a particular focus on readers in the library, exhibitions, financial oversight, and public outreach. The successful candidate will be able to pursue his/her own research interests in the context of the library collections.

This is a rare opportunity for a qualified professional to play a key leadership role in one of Ireland’s most iconic and intellectually rich cultural institutions.

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Key Responsibilities

Academic & Public Engagement

• Responsibility for the Reading Room, with a strong emphasis on reader experience and service delivery.
• Coordination and management of the Visiting Research Fellows using the Reading Room.
• Delivery of tailored tours and classes for academic visitors, and high-level tours for groups such as diplomats, journalists, and high-net-worth individuals.
• Leadership in the planning and execution of exhibitions; contribution to academic publications and conference engagements, both internal and external to the library.
• Responsibility for engaging social media programme highlighting the library’s collections and activities.
• Digitisation of key library collections, and other tasks that the Director may deem necessary.
• Other tasks as mandated by the Director.

Administrative & Financial Management

• Work alongside the Director and office administrator on strategic financial planning, and other tasks that may be necessary.
• Monitor quarterly budgets and day-to-day financial operations, and ensure effective financial controls are in place.
• Presentation of financial reports to the Finance Sub-Committee and Governance Sub-Committee of the Board.

Human Resources & Leadership

• The Assistant Director will manage the staff involved in the care of the collections (i.e. the conservator and two library preservation assistants) as well as the rolling programme of Reading Reading interns from MLIS courses across Ireland and Europe.
• Oversee the work of outsourced IT and finance contractors, and other taks as may be necessary.
• Act in the Director’s stead during periods of absence, ensuring the seamless continuation of library operations.

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Essential and Desirable Criteria

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• A strong undergraduate degree and a postgraduate qualification in librarianship or information science.
• At least three years’ experience of managing small, multidisciplinary teams of staff and/or volunteers.
• Strong organisational and interpersonal skills, with a collaborative approach to leadership.
• Experience in library operations and a strong background in the maintenance and development of library IT systems.
• Proven ability to engage with diverse public audiences, including through guided tours, public speaking, or media appearances.

Desirable Attributes

• Reading knowledge of Latin or Greek, and fluency in at least one modern European language (other than English) related to the historic collections of the library.
• A track record of research or publication in a subject relevant to the chronological period covered by the library’s collections (c.1500-1750).
• Experience managing or contributing to digital humanities projects or digital collections.

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 Application Process

Interested candidates should submit the following by the close of business on Friday, 14 November 2025.

• A cover letter outlining how they meet the essential and desirable criteria
• A full CV
• Contact details for two professional referees

Applications should be submitted via email to: olga.taranova@marshlibrary.ie

Shortlisted applicants will be called for interview on Monday, 1 December 2025. The interview will begin with a short presentation on a topic to be notified to candidates. This will be followed by questions arising from each applicant’s CV and covering letter.

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Questions and Clarifications

Potential candidates who require further information about the post should email: olga.taranova@marshlibrary.ie

Marsh’s Library is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates of all backgrounds.