The position serves as the Chief of the Music Division, and reports to the Director of the Special Collections Directorate (SCD), in the Researcher and Collection Services (RCS) Service Unit within the Library Collections and Services Group (LCSG).
The Chief of the Music Division is a forward-looking, people-focused, and collaborative leader with broad responsibility for the development, stewardship, interpretation, promotion, and service of the music, theater, and dance collections under the Division’s purview to meet the needs of government officials, researchers, and all users who request information or seek access to collections and services. Under the Chief’s general direction, the Music Division’s primary role is to expand access to and enhance the research value and use of one of the foremost performing arts repositories in the United States and to engage new audiences through public programming, including the Concerts from the Library of Congress series, as part of the Library’s broader programming initiatives.
The Chief of the Music Division receives general policy guidance from the Director, Special Collections Directorate and has primary managerial and professional responsibility for directing the activities of the Division and related external activities and supervising Division staff. The Chief provides vision and leadership for the development and maintenance of the Library’s music, theater, and dance collections. This includes the integration of digital technology and facilitation of the effective use of these collections by researchers, visitors, and others worldwide, including the future direction of research services, public programming, and outreach. The Chief is responsible for cultivating relationships with potential donors, securing funds for new initiatives in concert with Library Development, selectively acquiring new collections, and thoughtfully enhancing services and programs.
The Chief provides national leadership in the fields of music, theater, dance, and the performing arts community and represents the Library at national and international meetings, events, and programs, especially those related to the Division’s collections. The Chief plays a key role in establishing a positive image for the Library and its collections, as well as its service to Congress, researchers, visitors, and the general public.
Exercises responsibility for the overall execution of the Division’s budget for appropriated, gift and trust funds, balancing the needs of collections, services, programs, and staffing.
Sets and implements a collection development strategy that ensures a diverse, balanced, and sustainable portfolio in the Division’s major collection areas of music, theater, and dance, ensuring that analog and digital collection are relevant to researcher needs and that they are served in a timely and efficient manner.
Leads efforts to sustainably steward the Division’s collections and to increase access, discovery, use, and dissemination of the Division’s collections and resources, both analog and digital, for all users, both onsite and offsite.
Ensures the Division supports the vision of being a library for all, onsite and online, and builds services and programs around the needs of researchers and visitors.
Leads efforts to raise awareness and promote outreach and engagement with the Division’s collections and resources for users, including Congress, researchers, visitors, and the public, both national and international. Oversees the planning and execution of the concert series sponsored by the Library of Congress.
Performs the full range of human resource management functions relative to directly and indirectly supervised staff.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Relocation fees may be considered for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.
Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision. The competencies below are required for this position. Those marked with a double asterisk (**) are considered the most critical competencies for this position. A candidate's resume must show a proven record of accomplishment that clearly demonstrates he or she has experience:
• Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and techniques of library and archival practice as it relates to music, theater, and dance collections and the provision of researcher services & public programs. **
• Ability to supervise, develop, and lead a diverse cultural heritage workforce. **
• Ability to think strategically and lead change. **
• Ability to provide program oversight and administrative management to agency programs and operations. **
• Ability to build coalitions and professional networks across and outside of an organization.
• Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
Apply directly at https://www.usajobs.gov/job/854136500
Please carefully follow all instructions under the How to Apply tab to ensure that you are considered for the position.
Career Showcase-Chief, Music Division (VAR003220)
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET
This event will be live streamed on Zoom for Government
Join a live, virtual Career Showcase to learn about an exciting career opportunity directly from senior leaders at the Library of Congress. Simply log on to the link below on Wednesday, January 21, at 1:00 p.m. (ET) to learn about the Chief, Music Division position at the Library of Congress. Registration is not required.
To participate anonymously, simply identify yourself as "Anonymous2026" when entering the session.
Please join the webinar on Zoom>>
When: Wednesday, January 21, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Library of Congress Career Showcase | Chief, Music Division
Telephone: 1 669 254 5252
Webinar ID: 1613599942
Request ADA accommodations five business days in advance at (202) 707-6362 or ada@loc.gov.
A recording of the Career Showcase will be available by no later three business days following the event.