Director of Library Digital Strategies and Innovations

Description

The Harvard Library seeks an innovative professional to lead the development of digital strategies and their implementation in Harvard’s large and diverse library environment.  Known for decades as a leader in digital library initiatives, Harvard Library today is building on this foundation to extend its reach in visualization, data management, and creative uses of technology throughout its enterprise. The Director of Library Digital Strategies and Innovations will lead in the formulation of library digital strategies, ensuring that the Library has a scalable and sustainable infrastructure; a user-friendly and effective web presence; and an environment which maximizes creative applications for the benefit of scholarship and learning.  Working with talented colleagues throughout Harvard’s libraries and Harvard University Information Technology, the Director of Library Digital Strategies and Innovations will identify and evaluate trends in IT and digital library development that are applicable to Harvard.

A newly created senior position reporting directly to the Vice President for the Harvard Library who also serves as the Roy E. Larsen Librarian for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the Director will be a member of the Library Leadership Team, which includes library directors from all of Harvard libraries that have combined annual budgets that exceed $175 million and staff that number more than 800. The Director will also be a member of the Senior Management Team, the combined group of  managers who provide unified operational oversight for the staff of the Harvard Library and of the Harvard College Library, two units which together include 600 (of the 800) staff and a budget of  $125 (of the $175) million.

The Director of Library Digital Strategies and Innovations will have a dotted line reporting relationship to the Vice President for Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) who oversees Library Technology Services (LTS).  LTS provides services in search, discovery, and e-resource applications; collection management applications and tools; digital repository, preservation and access; digital projects; operations and maintenance for library technology applications; training and support for library staff on applications and tools, and data and reporting services.  The Managing Director of LTS will have a dotted line reporting relationship to the Director.

The Director will work closely with the Managing Director of Academic Technology Services, who serves as the HUIT lead in ensuring the delivery of essential academic technology services to faculty and students, integrating technology resources into courses and research, and providing thought leadership and direction for innovation in educational pedagogy.  The Director will serve as the Library's representative on the CIO Council.

The Director of Library Digital Strategies and Innovations provides leadership in coordinating and defining system requirements and priorities for Library-wide projects and initiatives, and leads in the development Library-wide policy and protocols related to web services, technology support and infrastructure which help shape the work of subject liaisons, access and technology specialists, and library support personnel.  The Director also provides leadership for research services related to data, information systems, and related aspects of e-research across disciplines.  The Director will contribute to the development of Harvard Library's services in online learning; data curation; open access; digitization of collections; use of social media; new learning spaces which support collaboration, experimentation and creative expression; and its partnerships with faculty and others in research projects.  Harvard Library is a member of CNI, Hathi Trust, and other organizations in which technological advances are integral to discussion and development.