Director, Automation, Indexing, & Metadata, Library Information Technology, University Library

Black Caucus of the American Library Association; Kansas; On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The Black Caucus of the American Library Association seeks a senior library technology leader to oversee Alma-based workflows and data governance. You will collaborate across LIT and AIM, lead a 5-person team, and help shape services and projects in a national library context.

You will coordinate Alma platform management, reporting, metadata, and integration with campus libraries, driving data-driven decisions and innovative service delivery.

Qualifications

• ALA-accredited library degree or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years in an academic or research library.
• 2+ years Alma experience.
• Supervisory or leadership experience.
• Understanding of Library Services Platforms and trends.
• Strong collaboration and communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Assist in LIT-wide planning and directing services and projects.
• Oversee Alma-related workflows and integration with library systems.
• Manage department staff and professional development.
• Coordinate data imports/exports, metadata, and indexing for Alma.
• Produce regular reports to support data-driven decisions.
• Participate in Alma governance and cross-library collaboration.
• Represent the library at regional and national forums.

Skills

Alma management

Data analysis

Project leadership

Communication skills

Collaboration

Education

ALA-accredited library school

Advanced degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Alma platform

Job description

Responsibilities*

Leadership (20%)

• Assist the AUL for LIT in LIT-wide planning and directing of services, projects, and operations
• Partner with other department directors in LIT to oversee library technology projects toward their successful completion
• Manage department personnel (5 FTEs) by setting work goals, performing evaluations, and supporting professional growth
• Manage the department's evolving staff needs

Alma Technical Expertise (40%)

• Provide leadership and coordination in the development and management of applications integrated with Alma that support the library's services and operations, working collaboratively with relevant parties in LIT and elsewhere in the library
• Coordinate management of the Alma platform, utilizing analytic tools, working groups, local expertise and vendor support to develop effective workflows for user needs
• Oversee and contribute to data importing/exporting, metadata maintenance, and indexing activities related to Alma records and integrated systems, working across library departments and with vendors
• Oversee and contribute to the creation and distribution of regular and ad hoc reports that support the library in making data-driven decisions about our collection and services

Alma Governance, Communication, and Support (30%)

• Participate in library-wide Alma governance activities, including serving as the main LIT liaison to the U-M Library's Alma Coordinating Committee and Collection Steering Team
• Develop appropriate communication channels between LIT/AIM and other related library groups to facilitate Alma-related support
• Consult with library units on the development of new services that intersect with AIM resources and responsibilities
• Maintain and foster relationships with other campus libraries (Dearborn and Flint) to address areas of mutual concern related to Alma or other bibliographic and record management systems integrated with Alma

Other (10%)

• Cultivate an environment for continuing innovation and excellence within the department and the division
• Represent the U-M Library at relevant regional and national forums such as the Ex Libris Users of North America (ELUNA) community group and the Big Ten Academic Alliance as needed
• Participate in cross-departmental/divisional projects, committees, and working groups in the library

Required Qualifications*

• Professional degree from an ALA-accredited library school or other relevant advanced degree or undergraduate degree and related equivalent experience
• 3 or more years of work experience in an academic or research library setting
• 2 or more years of experience working directly with Alma
• Supervisory or team leadership experience
• Thorough understanding of the workings of, and developing trends in, Library Services Platforms (LSPs), and demonstrated experience successfully putting that understanding into LSP management practices
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing learning
• Experience analyzing complex and unclear requests, gathering information, and communicating with staff and leaders at different levels across the organization to troubleshoot problems, facilitate collaborative decision-making and build solutions
• Demonstrated commitment to the importance and value of working collaboratively with a broad range of people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with attention to detail

Desired Qualifications*

• Alma Administration Certification
• Expertise in complex project management
• Prior programming experience
• Experience with the work of Technical Services units in libraries including bibliographic metadata standards, electronic resource management, and cataloging workflows
• Knowledge of systems design, workflow analysis, and automation techniques