Collection Services Project Manager

Description

Northwestern University Library
Professional Librarian Vacancy

Rank and Job Code:  Librarian. 
Business/Departmental Title:  Collection Services Project Manager
Reports to:  Associate University Librarian for Administrative and Collection Services (AULACS), overall and primary reporting line.  Reports secondarily to others as required for specific projects and duties.

Northwestern University Library invites nominations and applications for the position of Collection Services Project Manager. We seek an energetic, forward-looking, and technologically aware individual to help transform the library's discovery systems and collection management operations

Job Summary
Under the general direction of the AULACS, the collection services project manager works across library departments to plan, coordinate, facilitate, and accomplish projects that improve and enhance collection services at Northwestern University Library.   The project manager focuses on projects that involve the implementation of new automated systems, the development and enhancement of existing automated systems, and the transformation of work flows, policies, and procedures to take maximum advantage of technology.  Although not necessarily an IT specialist per se, the project manager functions as an important translator and liaison between staff of library IT units, university IT units, library services provider staff, and NU library staff engaged in acquisitions, cataloging, collection analysis, circulation, preservation, digital library development, electronic resources management,  and other collection-related library related services.  The project manager’s time will initially be focused on the accomplishment of two very important and interrelated goals:  1) the successful implementation of the ALMA library services platform, which will replace Voyager technical services and fulfillment support functionality; and 2) the achievement of important enhancements and the regularization of management functions that will allow the PRIMO system to replace the Voyager-based online catalog , the MetaLib federated search system, and other currently used resource discovery tools. 

Essential Duties for Initial Assignments
1.  Analyze and devise plans to address gaps between current and desirable levels of PRIMO system functionality.
2.  Perform, and coordinate the work of others in performing, PRIMO system management and development operations such as configuration of local options, establishment of roles and authorization for access, report design and production, usability and functional assessment.
3.  Establish milestones for all phases of the ILS migration project lifecycle including planning, migration and implementation; develop detailed project plans that clearly delineate timelines, roles, responsibilities, resources, and measures that will lead to the successful implementation of the new system.
4.  Work with department managers to identify operational issues connected with ILS migration project steps; work collaboratively across all libraries departments and cross functional work teams; monitor and regularly report progress to library administrative units and cross functional work teams.
5.  Implement a project management and communications system within the library to keep
project teams, library staff, and other stakeholders informed as to the essential components of the
projects, their working history, and their current status and activity.
6. Function as a liaison between libraries and University community and vendors involved in the implementation process.
7. Establish benchmarks and metrics for evaluating existing and new systems; prepare training materials and documentation for systems and operations; coordinate staff instruction and usability testing.
8. Other technical services or project duties as necessary or assigned.

Competencies, Skills and Expertise
Library:  Working knowledge of library automation and technology specific to the acquisition,
cataloging, and processing of library resources; understanding of bibliographic databases and how they are used to support research and learning; in-depth understanding of issues and work flows that have an impact upon academic libraries.

Technical:  Working knowledge of library metadata standards such as MARC, MODS, EAD, and Dublin Core; knowledge of resource discovery systems sufficient to analyze, solve problems with, plan, and carry out configuration and set up of local options; demonstrated ability to use software such as Microsoft Access and Excel to gather management information and create reports; familiarity with programming languages, querying protocols, and transformation techniques used in academic library environments ( e.g. HTML, CSS, XSLT, jQuery, regular expressions, SQL).

Project Management:  Strong organizational and project management skills: demonstrated ability to plan, make assignments, manage work process, leverage resources, contain costs, monitor performance, and report results; proven leadership skills and the ability to elicit cooperation and team work and manage expectations; ability to understand, articulate, and respond to end user and public services staff concerns and priorities.

Organizational/Professional:  Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work with people from all organizational levels and outside partners; excellent oral, written, and presentation communication skills; excellent analytic, problem solving and decision-making skills; high efficiency and productivity; ability to multi-task in a complex organizational structure.

Expected Education/Background Qualifications
1. MLS or equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. 3 or more years’ experience managing projects to successful conclusion; experience managing complex projects involving distributed project teams desirable; project management certification or demonstrated experience with agile and traditional project methodologies preferred.
3. Experience working in a complex academic/research organization.
4. Experience working in a technical service operation of a library; library public services experience also desirable.
5. Experience developing and managing enterprise-level library systems (such as Voyager, Primo, SFX, Metalib, ILLiad, Ares, Blackboard); digital repository system experience also desirable.

Environment
Northwestern University is a major private university with campuses in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois and in Doha, Qatar.  The Collection Services Project Manager position is based in the Main Library on the Evanston campus.  One of the leading private research libraries in the United States, Northwestern University Library serves the educational and information needs of the NU community as well as scholars around the world.  Its collection contains more than 4.6 million volumes and a full array of digital resources.  University Library's portfolio of distinguished special collections includes the internationally recognized Africana, Music, and Transportation Libraries.  University Library is a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and participates in programs of the Committee for Institutional Cooperation (CIC). Northwestern University is active in the Program for Cooperative Cataloging and contributes cataloging records to the Library of Congress e-CIP program.  The University Library fosters an environment of intellectual and creative excellence and collaboration, and the library staff is committed to providing service excellence to the Northwestern University community and beyond.

To Apply
Send PDF formatted letter of application, resume or vita, and names of three references to the attention of Jan Hayes, Personnel Librarian, to libsearches@northwestern.edu.  Applications received by June 21, 2013 will receive first consideration.  Northwestern University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.  Employment eligibility verification required upon hire.