Director, Libraries Information Technology Services & Digital Strategies

Description

POSITION PURPOSE
Serving three campuses, the University of Washington Libraries is one of the largest and most innovative libraries in North America with collections exceeding 9 million volumes, over 1.5 million electronic books, more than 190,000 currently received journal titles, as well as millions of scholarly resources in other formats. Beyond the strength of local collections and digital resources, the Libraries is recognized for its excellent service, innovative learning and research spaces, faculty partnerships, global reach, extensive assessment efforts, and diverse award-winning staff. The Libraries play a significant leadership role regionally as a member of the groundbreaking Orbis Cascade Alliance and throughout the profession, as evidenced by the number of its staff selected for competitive leadership programs and honored by professional association lifetime achievement awards. 

The UW Libraries Information Technology Services & Digital Strategies (ITSDS) department  is one of eight departments in the Libraries’ Research & Learning Services portfolio. The department provides support, development, and infrastructure for many systems and services for Libraries staff and end-users including: the integrated library system, digital collections, content repositories, off-campus proxy service, web platforms, GIS support, 800+ staff and public workstations, software, phone, printer, and general technology implementations. These systems and services provide access to the Libraries’ collections, and support research, teaching, and learning at the UW.

The UW Libraries has an outstanding opportunity for a Director, Information Technology Services and Digital Strategies.

In coordination with ITSDS Unit Heads, and as a member of the Libraries’ Research and Learning Services team, the ITSDS Director works with UW Libraries' teams and campus/academic partners to ensure the priorities of the Libraries and UW are advanced and aligned. Through service to the UW Community, the ITSDS Director joins the entire UW Libraries in promoting and continually aspiring to excellence, collaboration, integrity, innovation, diversity, and respect.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy, Collaboration, and Communication

• Leads strategic technology planning within the Libraries in collaboration with ITSDS colleagues and other stakeholders. Recommends system-wide information technology policies, programs, and IT skills and staffing within departments to support staff and services.
• Ensures digital infrastructure serves the needs of the institution and priorities align with the vision, mission, and goals of the University Libraries. Communicates and implements policies, procedures, best practices, recommendations and guidelines in partnership with ITSDS staff and University Libraries leadership.
• Coordinates with all levels of management as appropriate in the development, support, implementation, and interpretation of Libraries-wide policies, plans, and programs; serves as a member of the Research and Learning Services (RLS) team. 
• Facilitates productive relationships between ITSDS and other departments and UW campus libraries; communicates priorities, actions, and projects among ITSDS, Libraries Administration, and other departments, and translates how these may affect or require input from ITSDS (and vice versa).
• Advocates for the continued advancement of technical expertise and education throughout the libraries.
• Represents the UW Libraries on appropriate UW committees, task forces, and working groups, with specific representation in discussions related to proposed/ongoing technology projects, process improvement, new/improved technology, and Libraries managed systems.
• Represents the UW Libraries in appropriate library technology matters at the local, state, regional and national levels.

IT Development, Operations, and Maintenance

• Collaborates with ITSDS Heads to ensure that the services delivered by ITSDS meet expected levels of quality and availability.
• Identifies/analyzes and recommends improvements to major libraries processes, with an eye toward leveraging technology to better support daily operations and stakeholder needs and the Libraries’ digital services.
• Develops improvement plan proposals, and manages associated timelines, cyber hygiene and assets. 
• Maintains and improves knowledge of the ways in which libraries technology negatively impacts vulnerable and historically marginalized populations and plans improvements accordingly.
• Maintains awareness of information technology standards, available services, trends, and their application in academic libraries; and confers with ITSDS and other colleagues to provide recommendations about local implementation when appropriate.

Administrative responsibilities of ITSDS

• Oversees business and administrative aspects of the ITSDS Department including, but not limited to: records management, privacy and security planning, year-end reports, budget projections, management of contracts.
• Mentors and supervises ITSDS personnel. Supports five Unit Heads (direct reports) in: the coordination and supervision of staff; hiring, training, and evaluation of personnel; and fulfilling promotion/tenure processes, as appropriate.
• Leads and supports personnel development initiatives, including training and mentoring programs, to enhance employee skills and improve overall team performance.
• Supports and develops productive relationships and team building within the department.
• Applies a lens of equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism to all aspects of work and supports the department to do the same.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or other relevant field.
• 6 years of management and leadership experience; strong supervisory experience

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrated ability to utilize strong interpersonal skills to achieve project, service, and team success. May include diplomacy, influence, emotional intelligence, negotiation, collaboration, active listening, and communication.
• Participated in, or led development and execution of, strategic and operational plans which integrate or rely on technical resources.
• Experience with IT process improvement (ITIL/ITSM).
• Knowledge of and commitment to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism in the workplace or community, particularly in technology, hiring and retention.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience facilitating IT governance and decision making across a complex, distributed environment.
• Experience leading complex projects with efficient and flexible delegation of resources and decision-making.
• Knowledge of, and experience with, compliance and reporting requirements related to security and privacy risk management, and accessibility.
• Experience articulating the importance of technical training and education for both IT staff and others in the organization. Experience building staff technical skill levels to meet changing IT business needs.
• Experience helping others translate needs into business requirements.
• Experience working with complex procurement procedures and complex IT budgets.