Executive Director

Are you a natural networker who thrives in a dynamic and international environment? Is your mission to advance the European Research Libraries and Open Science Agenda? Then we invite you to apply to be LIBER’s next Executive Director. LIBER is Europe’s largest research library network. We help our university, national, and special libraries to support world-class research. LIBER is seeking an Executive Director to coordinate and implement our strategic actions, manage the LIBER Office and LIBER Foundation, and advocate for our research library members at the European level.

As the Executive Director of LIBER, you will be responsible for:

• Coordinating and implementing LIBER’s Strategy.
• Management of the LIBER Office and LIBER Foundation, including finances and supervision of the LIBER Office staff (3 direct reports).
• Contacts between LIBER and stakeholders, LIBER’s strategic partners and the European Commission.
• LIBER’s advocacy and policy campaigns at the European level.
• Development of the LIBER Network of Participants.
• Programming and (co-)organising of LIBER events and programmes.
• Development of sponsorships.

The Executive Director will report directly to the President of LIBER and will work closely with the LIBER Executive Board.

• A master degree or equivalent qualification.
• A thorough knowledge of current developments in the European research library field, including Open Science.
• Demonstrable staff management skills and budget responsibility.
• Demonstrable interpersonal and networking skills.
• Experience with different types of governance, including working with a Board.
• Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English, knowledge of Dutch is desirable.
• Project management experience (desirable).

The starting date for the position is 1 March 2026. This position requires a valid EU work permit. In addition, a residential address in the Netherlands is required. We work partly from the office and partly from home. Occasional out-of-hours work is expected (including on some weekends i.e., in association with conferences, meetings, and other events).

• Working at the forefront of the landscape of research libraries.
• A broad scope of responsibilities, and a flexible and friendly working environment.
• Being part of a young and ambitious international team and a thriving professional network with a passion for research libraries.
• Salary scale 12 or 13, between € 5,769 and € 8,044, based on the Collective Labour Agreement WVOI (CAO-OI), depending on seniority, qualifications, and expertise.
• Excellent secondary benefits: an excellent pension scheme, an allowance for travel and mobile expenses, a holiday allowance (8%), 42 holidays, and a year-end bonus (8.33%).
• An informal and creative working environment.
• A 12-months contract will be offered initially with a possible extension, depending on performance and funding.

Do you recognise yourself in this profile? For an informal discussion regarding the position please contact Julien Roche, President of LIBER at julien.roche@univ-lille.fr. To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter outlining your eligibility and interest in this position to Anja Smit, Secretary General of LIBER, at anja.smit@dans.knaw.nl using the phrase ‘LIBER Executive Director’ in the subject line.

The closing date for applications is 19 December 2025 (23.59h CET). The first round of (online) interviews is scheduled for 2 January 2026. The second round of interviews is scheduled for 9 January 2026 and will be held in person at the LIBER Office in The Hague, The Netherlands.

Download the full job description here.