In September 2002, Tabb became Sheridan Dean of University Libraries and director of the Sheridan Libraries at the Johns Hopkins University. In July 2006, Tabb was appointed for a two-year term as Vice Provost for the Arts at JHU.
Tabb's career advancement led to his appointment as Sheridan Dean of University Libraries and director of the Sheridan Libraries at Johns Hopkins University in September 2002. He later served as Vice Provost for the Arts at JHU from July 2006 to July 2008.