POSITION SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Associate University Librarian for the Digital Scholarship and
Technology Services division at Washington University Libraries, the Head of
the Digital Library plans, implements, directs, and sustains programs,
partnerships, and initiatives for the Digital Library at Washington University
Libraries, in alignment with Libraries’ objectives and institutional goals for
teaching and research. The incumbent will be a key leader in the development
and expansion of the Digital Library and its comprehensive program of services,
including digital publishing, repository services, metadata curation, and
digital library application development.
The incumbent works collaboratively within the Libraries and with faculty and
others in the University community to develop innovative digital solutions for
creating, managing, and disseminating digital resources that provide content
for research and teaching efforts at Washington University and its related
stakeholders.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Managerial Duties:
Managerial Leadership: Provide leadership, vision, and direction for the
Digital Library; lead the work of unit staff and programs, and facilitate
organizational contributions of the unit with visible leadership that promotes
a culture of performance; initiate and lead the planning, implementation, and
assessment of unit services and activities in alignment with Library strategic
directions. Lead the planning, development and implementation of a
comprehensive Library-wide scholarly communication program, including research
services, education and outreach programming, and policy protocols.
Performance Management: Hire, train, direct, and mentor unit staff to carry out
duties at the expected high level of performance, and regularly assess staffing
performance effectiveness with clearly articulated performance expectations and
regular, timely feedback in alignment with organizational processes and
standards.
Workplace Management: Develop, implement, and assess short- and long-term
strategies for conducting unit services and key project activities; manage and
regularly evaluate assignment of work and responsibilities for effective
accomplishment of unit objectives; and manage an inclusive and equitable work
environment for operations.
Managerial Communication: Consistently demonstrate accurate, timely, informed,
bi-lateral communications relevant to unit, organizational, and institutional
issues, and manage unit awareness of organizational communications, including
unit requirements and goals resulting from organizational strategy.
Unit Leadership Responsibilities:
Provide leadership and coordinate a comprehensive and strategic program for the
Digital Library, which encompasses Repository Services program, Digital
Publishing program, Digital Library content strategy, protocols and policies,
and Libraries-wide procedures. Plan, implement, and manage digital projects
that integrate the infrastructure and/or resources of the Digital Library,
including coordination of project managers and staff for digital projects.
Lead content strategy for the digital assets contained in the Digital Library
that WU Libraries and community generate and use for research and teaching. The
incumbent coordinates the lead staff for the Repository Services, Digital
Library development, and Digital Publishing program, and provide guidance and
collaborative strategic direction on these programs. The incumbent will
develop and manage the protocols and workflows for ongoing digital projects in
the Libraries, including analyses of requirements, development of timelines,
tracking and reporting progress, assessment, and evaluation of projects’
successes.
Develop, implement, and communicate policies and procedures for Digital Library
standards, workflows, metadata, and content asset management in collaboration
with relevant Library stakeholders, and in alignment with WU Libraries’
strategic plan objectives and priorities.
Direct and manage Library and stakeholder engagement, interfaces, and protocols
related to research support services for Libraries staff and University
community members on resources and tools delivered by the Digital Library. Work
collaboratively within the Libraries and across the University community to
develop strategic services, programming, and technical infrastructure for
digital projects and digital repository services that meet University needs for
digital asset management and discovery of Libraries’ digital collections, and
to enable preservation and access to relevant collections in the Libraries and
across the WU campus.
Consult and collaborate with institutional and external partners to develop
digital resources nationally. Represents the Libraries on campus, nationally,
and internationally, and engage in professional activities outside of the
University to stay abreast of digital library developments. Performs other
duties as assigned and as needed.
Required Qualifications
Master’s degree in library and information science, an advanced graduate degree
in a relevant field, or equivalent combined amount of education and experience
Minimum of 3 years’ supervisory experience, particularly over staff involved
technical project work
Demonstrated ability to manage and implement effective digital projects, both
independently and in a team environment, and also coordinate multiple and
simultaneous projects
Experience in leading initiatives for technology application in scholarly
research and teaching
Experience in working with faculty and researchers to develop work plans for
digital projects, including articulating workflows, obtaining resources, and
setting objectives for digital projects
Knowledge of trends, issues, and resources in digital library development,
scholarly communications and open access, and/or research data management in
academic libraries
Demonstrated experience with implementation and use of digital tools, methods,
and approaches utilized in digital scholarship research
Ability to learn new technologies and instruct others in their uses
Experience in managing user-centered services
Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to manage projects
Strong interpersonal skills, demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative
team-based environment, and to communicate well with IT and non-IT staff
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Excellent oral and writing communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced graduate degree or coursework in information science, humanities, or
social sciences
Demonstrated knowledge of digital preservation standards and best practices
Familiarity with application and implementation of standards-based non-MARC
metadata (e.g. Dublin Core, METS, PREMIS), and ability to investigate and learn
new metadata standards as required
Experience with digital publishing and content management platforms, such as
Open Journal Systems, Omeka, Scalar, or Wordpress
Demonstrated experience and familiarity with repository software and platforms
(e.g., Islandora, Fedora Commons, Samvera, DSpace)
Familiarity with document processing tools and languages, such as XML and XSLT
Familiarity with web design and web development
Familiarity with database design and management
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