Digital Preservation and Systems Manager

The University of Manchester; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous employer pension contribution

29 days' annual leave and holidays

Ride to Work and EV schemes

Job summary

The University of Manchester Library is seeking a Digital Preservation and Systems Manager to lead the technical transformation of digital collection systems, improving discovery, access and long-term preservation. You will oversee digitisation, preservation and access, and provide specialist advice on metadata and digital asset management.

This hybrid role offers collaboration with IT Services and external partners, and will involve leading a small team to deliver high-quality digital services

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of digitisation, metadata standards, digital object management and digital preservation approaches.
• Experience supporting digitised collections, technical projects and applications that manage metadata and digital objects.
• Ability to import and export digital objects and metadata, and to work with legacy formats and systems.
• A logical, service-oriented approach, with excellent problem-solving, communication and technical documentation skills.
• Experience managing a small team or providing day-to-day supervision and support.
• Desirable: experience developing front-end interfaces to digital content.
• Desirable: honours degree or professional qualification in library/information/computing/digital scholarship.

Responsibilities

• Leading the technical transformation of digital collection systems to improve discovery, access and long-term preservation.
• Managing systems, infrastructure and services that support digitisation, preservation and access.
• Providing specialist advice on digitisation, digital preservation, metadata, digital asset management and application support.
• Improving metadata quality, interoperability and integration, and delivering technical projects into operational service.
• Leading supplier relationships and managing and developing a small specialist team.

Skills

Digitisation and metadata standards

Metadata management and digital object

Import/export of digital objects and 3

Service-oriented approach and problem‑

Team management / supervision

Education

Honours degree in library, information, computing or digital scholarship

Job description

The University of Manchester Library is seeking a motivated and collaborative Digital Preservation and Systems Manager to join the Digitisation and Digital Preservation Team within Digital Reach, Directorate of AI and Ideas Adoption. You will lead the technical transformation of our digital collection systems, helping unique physical and digital collections become accessible, sustainable resources that inspire research, enrich teaching and connect wider communities with cultural heritage. This work supports the Manchester 2035 strategy by advancing the foundation Organised for Success: One University through cross-University collaboration, and the leap Digital Inside and Out through resilient, connected and user-focused digital services. The role is also an exemplar of the One Library Working anchor set out in the library's Imagine2035 strategy, connecting expertise, systems and services across organisational boundaries to deliver shared priorities.

Reporting to the Head of Digital Reach, you will provide technical leadership across digitisation, digital preservation, discovery, metadata interoperability and learning resources. You will work with Library colleagues, IT Services, the University's cultural institutions and suppliers to ensure that platforms and services are robust, sustainable and aligned with Library priorities.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading the technical transformation of digital collection systems to improve discovery, access and long-term preservation.
• Managing systems, infrastructure and services that support digitisation, preservation and access.
• Providing specialist advice on digitisation, digital preservation, metadata, digital asset management and application support.
• Improving metadata quality, interoperability and integration, and delivering technical projects into operational service.
• Leading supplier relationships and managing and developing a small specialist team.

We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences and approaches to their work.

About You

We encourage applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds and experience.

Essential Criteria

• Strong knowledge of digitisation, metadata standards, digital object management and digital preservation approaches.
• Experience supporting digitised collections, technical projects and applications that manage metadata and digital objects.
• Ability to import and export digital objects and metadata, and to work with legacy formats and systems.
• A logical, service-oriented approach, with excellent problem-solving, communication and technical documentation skills.
• Experience managing a small team or providing day-to-day supervision and support.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience developing, or working with others to develop, front-end interfaces to digital content.
• A relevant honours degree or professional qualification in library, information, computing or digital scholarship; equivalent professional experience is equally valued.

You will also demonstrate commitment to accessibility, copyright, data protection, safeguarding, ethical practice, inclusion, health and safety, continuous improvement and service excellence.

Our benefits include:

• Generous employer pension contribution
• 29 days' annual leave plus bank holidays and Christmas closure
• Ride to Work and electric vehicle schemes

For more information, see University of Manchester Benefits and our Flexible and Hybrid Working information . This role is categorised as fully hybrid, normally involving some campus working.

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace difference, diversity and debate, and support the lawful exchange and testing of ideas. Read our Freedom of Speech Policy .

Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews

Gail Millin-Chalabi: [e-mail]

General enquiries and administrative support

[e-mail]

Technical and job portal support

Jobtrain support

Applications close at midnight on the closing date.

Further particulars, including the full person specification, are linked below.