Project Information

Bid Title

RFP Executive Search Services - 2025

Issuing Agency

Wayne State University

Location

Michigan

Published Date

Dec 23, 2025

Closing Date

Jan 12, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Inquiries

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Release Date	Title	Mandatory Pre-Bid?	Pre-Bid Date	Contact	Due Date
12-19-2025	RFP Executive Search Services  - 2025 Assistant Dean, Libraries Full RFP Information Assistant Dean, Libraries - Link to Submit Bids	None	N / A	Miriam Dixon (313) 577-3733 miriam.dixon@wayne.edu	01-12-2026

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Division of Finance and Business Operations

Procurement & Strategic Sourcing

5700 Cass Avenue, Suite 4200

Detroit, Michigan 48202

(313) 577-3734

RE: Executive Search Services for Assistant Dean, University Libraries

To Whom It May Concern:

Wayne State University is seeking an individual to fill the position Assistant Dean, Libraries. Your firm was suggested

as one of several to submit a quotation to conduct an executive search for a highly qualified individual to fill this position.

This letter serves as a request for proposals and references for this purpose.

The Position Description is enclosed with this letter, and we anticipate an annual compensation of approximately

$135,000 - $150,000, commensurate with experience.

If you are interested in working with Wayne State University to locate and hire the best person for this important position,

please submit your quotation for services and fees along with references for similar hires and your letter of engagement

to the University Procurement & Strategic Sourcing. Delivery of Proposals are by electronic submission. The link for

submission will be posted with the RFP details at http://go.wayne.edu/bids. When visiting the Website, click on the

"Service" link in green. You can also use the following link to directly access the submission form:

https://forms.wayne.edu/694187ebe1826.

Please respond to this request by 2:00 p.m. E.S.T. on January 12, 2026, as follows:

Wayne State University

Attn: Miriam Dixon

Online Submission Link:

https://forms.wayne.edu/694187ebe1826

Thank you for your interest in doing business with Wayne State University. Should you have any questions or concerns,

please contact me.

Sincerely,

Miriam Dixon

Miriam Dixon

Associate Director

Procurement & Strategic Sourcing

Enclosure

cc: Rachel Beatty, Director Library Business Affairs, Deans Office University Library

Kenneth Doherty, Associate Vice President, Procurement & Strategic Sourcing

Wayne State University

Assistant Dean, Libraries

Executive Search Services

This section of the RFP lists requirements that require specific written responses or confirmations. To be

considered for selection, the search firm must demonstrate in their proposal that it meets the following

requirements and has provided all required information.

SCOPE OF WORK

The University is seeking a full-service Executive Search Firm to execute a successful search for our next Assistant Dean,

Libraries. The salary for this position is anticipated to be approximately $135,000 - $150,000, commensurate with

experience. The consultant will be expected to undertake, at a minimum, the design and execution of all steps to define

the search, development of a collaborative description of duties for the position, find and recommend potential candidates

that meet all requirements for the position to the University.

This position will be posted on the Wayne State University online hiring system. The final candidate must complete an

online application in the System and submit his or her resume in accordance with University policy. Any and all applications

will be forwarded to the selected search firm for consideration. If feasible, the awarded firm will be given Guest Access to

the University’s online hiring system to view applications as they come to the University.

Key Project Deliverables

The selected search firm shall have extensive experience in performing searches for higher education clients, preferably

with specific experience in recruiting for the highest-level executive positions for colleges and universities. The search firm

must demonstrate an understanding of higher education search processes and should also have a proven national

presence and capability to identify and recruit not only those individuals who may be in the job market, but those who may

not be actively searching for a new position.

We ask that your proposal include the following information.

1. A brief description of your firm, including information relating to its organization and management practices.

2. Your firm’s experience with urban research universities, if any.

3. Your firm’s experience with successful placements for positions similar to the one for this RFP, and the

names of those institutions in which those individuals were placed.

4. The name, biography and resume of the lead consultant who would be assigned to work with us, should

your firm be successful in obtaining this contract.

5. An overview of how your firm views the role of the search committee members in the search, and the

process you will use to build a pool of qualified candidates.

6. A list of at least three references from clients, including point of contact, company name, address, phone,

and email.

A schedule of fees. In addition, an explanation of your billing practice should be provided in case of a failed or incomplete

search (i.e., no candidate selected) or the case of a successful candidate who leaves in less than a year.

General Information

The University reserves the rights to accept, reject, modify, and/or negotiate any and all proposals received in

conjunction with the Request for Proposal. It reserves the right to waive any defect or informality in the Proposals on

the basis of what it considers to be in its best interests. Any proposal may be rejected which the University determines to

be incomplete, conditional, obscure, or has irregularities of any kind.

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This Request for Proposal (RFP) in no manner obligates the University to the eventual purchase of any services

described, implied, or which may be proposed, until confirmed by written agreement, and may be terminated by the

University without penalty or obligation at any time prior to the signing of an Agreement or Purchase Order.

Proposals are subject to public review after the contracts have been awarded. Firms responding to this RFP are cautioned

not to include any proprietary information as part of their Proposal unless such proprietary information is carefully identified

as such in writing, and the University accepts, in writing, the information as proprietary.

If you have any questions regarding this bid, please contact me by email at miriam.dixon@wayne.edu.

Please respond to this request by 2:00 p.m. E.D.T. on January 12, 2026, as follows:

Wayne State University

Attn.: Miriam Dixon

Online Submission Link:

https://forms.wayne.edu/694187ebe1826

JOB DESCRIPTION

Overview

Assistant Dean, Libraries

The Wayne State University Libraries seek a strategic, collaborative, and visionary leader to serve as the Assistant Dean

(AD). Wayne State University, a premier public research university (R1) serving over 24,000 students in Detroit's vibrant

urban landscape, is home to groundbreaking research across disciplines from medicine and engineering to social work

and the arts.

Reporting to the Dean and serving as a core member of the senior leadership team, the AD plays a vital role in shaping

how the Libraries advance the university's mission of research, teaching, and community engagement. The AD leads a

broad and dynamic portfolio that includes research support, teaching and learning, user services, assessment, and

collection strategy - all designed to position WSU students and researchers for success in an evolving information

landscape.

The AD will have direct responsibility for several departments within the central campus libraries, including subject

librarians, access services, and collection development and management. The AD will also be expected to work

collaboratively with faculty, students, staff, and external partners to ensure that the WSU Libraries serve as both knowledge

hub and innovation partner within the academic community.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Dean and senior leadership to set organizational direction, align priorities with

university goals, and drive strategic initiatives

• Serve as a member of the Library's leadership team, contributing to long-term planning, resource allocation,

budgeting, and decision-making

• Lead and support strategic planning, assessment, and continuous improvement efforts across areas of

responsibility

• Serve as the Dean's representative to contractually-mandated committees and other key university

governance bodies

• Guide and support library programs that enhance student success through information literacy, instructional

design, and curriculum integration

• Collaborate with academic departments, the Office of Teaching and Learning, and other campus partners

to embed library expertise into pedagogical development

• Provide vision and oversight for services and infrastructure that advance faculty research

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• Oversee the delivery of excellent and equitable user experiences across physical and virtual service points,

ensuring 24/7 access to essential resources and support

• Represent the Libraries in university-wide initiatives and serve on key campus committees

• Build strategic partnerships with peer institutions and contribute to profession-wide initiatives

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program or equivalent

• Minimum of five years of progressive leadership and management experience in an academic or research

library, including at least three years of supervisory responsibility for multiple staff members

• Demonstrated experience developing programs and services in support of teaching, learning, and research

• Proven track record of budget management and resource allocation in complex organizational

environments

• Experience with strategic planning, assessment methodologies, and data-driven decision making

• Record of fostering collaboration, innovation, and inclusive practices across diverse teams and

constituencies

• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and change leadership skills

• Demonstrated ability to build effective partnerships within and beyond the library, including with faculty,

administrators, and external organizations

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in unionized environments and navigating complex organizational structures with

shared governance

• Experience with grant writing, fundraising, or securing external funding for library initiatives

• Knowledge of current trends in higher education, emerging technologies, and their implications for

academic libraries

• Demonstrated professional involvement at a national level, including service in professional organizations

and scholarly activity

About Wayne State University

WSU is a nationally recognized public research university with an urban teaching mission. WSU is a public Carnegie

Doctoral/Research Extensive institution with 13 academic schools and colleges offering more than 350 undergraduate,

graduate and professional degrees. WSU is home to nearly 28,000 students from nearly every state and 60 countries –

the most diverse student body among Michigan’s 15 public universities:

• One of the nation's 50 largest public universities, with Michigan's most diverse student body.

• Approximately 350 degree and certificate programs in 13 schools and colleges.

• Annual research expenditures of $244 million.

• More than 500 student organizations.

• Affiliations with more than 100 institutions worldwide.

• Classified as "doctoral university: very high research activity" by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions

of Higher Education.

• Wayne State is a partner with Michigan State University and the University of Michigan in the University

Research Corridor, helping create a vibrant state economy.

• More than 1,900 new jobs created through TechTown, Wayne State's research park and business

incubator.

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• A leader in green technology, the College of Engineering was first in the nation to launch an electric-drive

vehicle engineering program and offer an alternative energy technology master's program.

• Study abroad opportunities in 16 countries on five continents.

• Eighty percent of Wayne State Law School graduates live and work in Michigan.

About the Libraries

The Wayne State University Libraries system includes the David Adamany Undergraduate Library, the Purdy/Kresge

Library, and specialized libraries in Medicine, Law, and the Sciences. Our collections span over 3.5 million volumes, 75,000

journal subscriptions, and extensive digital resources. The Libraries employ approximately 140 FTE staff and maintain a

collections budget exceeding $8 million annually. Recent achievements include the launch of our institutional repository,

expansion of maker spaces, and implementation of comprehensive research data services.

Non-Discrimination

Wayne State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Wayne State complies with all Federal and state rules and

regulation and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex (including gender identity), national origin, religion,

age, sexual orientation, familial status, marital status, height, weight, disability, or veteran status.

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Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541612Human Resources Consulting Services
• NAICS 561312Executive Search Services

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