Director, Digital Technologies and Services, University Libraries

Cooperative Education; Fairfax (VA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

George Mason University Libraries seek a Director, Digital Technologies and Services to lead the Library Services Platform (Alma/Primo) and IT infrastructure for four libraries, including online applications and web services. The role reports to the Associate Dean and directs a team through strategic projects and routine operations.

The ideal candidate has an ALA-accredited MLS, strong leadership, and a track record in library IT, cloud migrations, and digital preservation.

Qualifications

• ALA-accredited Master’s Degree in Library or Information Science or equivalent.
• Significant leadership of digital technology initiatives.
• Experience with Library Services Platform technology.
• Strong project management—planning, execution, budgeting.

Responsibilities

• Lead IT infrastructure, online apps, and the Alma/Primo platform for four libraries.
• Guide DTS staff, set goals, and manage performance with coaching.
• Ensure IT risk assessment, backups, and digital preservation practices.
• Contribute to service, scholarship, and organizational governance.
• Collaborate across units to align technology with library goals.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Strategic Planning

Delegation

Team Collaboration

Education

Master’s Degree in Library/Info Science

Tools

Library Services Platform (Alma/Primo)

Job description

Department: Library

Classification: Professional Faculty

Job Category:Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type:Full-Time

Work Schedule:Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type:Hybrid Eligible, up to 2 days of telework

Sponsorship Eligibility:Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary:

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $85,000 to $115,000. The final salary and professional ranking for a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the individual, including their work experience, scholarship, and service; internal equity; and alignment with the university's approved pay structures.

At George Mason University, base salary is one component of a comprehensive total rewards package that includes competitive health and wellness benefits, retirement contributions, generous leave, tuition benefits for employees, and the opportunity to contribute to the mission of Virginia's largest and most diverse public research university.

Criminal Background Check:Yes

About the Department:

The University Libraries foster innovation, creativity, and imagination by facilitating and preserving access to scholarship and information, providing expert consultation in the research process, and actively teaching the effective and critical use of information. The Digital Strategies and Systems (DSS) division consists of three units: Mason Publishing Group (MPUB), Digital Technologies and Services (DTS), and Data and Digital Scholarship Services (DDSS). These units are collectively responsible for the library’s technology infrastructure, web presence, data services and research data management programs, George Mason University Press, Mason Publishing imprint, e-journal publishing, and digital repository services (MARS and Dataverse) to advance the University Libraries' goals and plan. Within the DSS division, DTS manages the University Libraries' IT infrastructure that allows users to access, discover, and utilize library resources. The group provides systems support, software development, system integrations, and digital data management. DTS is responsible for specific digital ecosystems, a number of enterprise-wide services including Primo and Alma, user support and operations through desktop support of both staff and public workstations, system administration, software configurations, application support, and system development. They ensure a seamless user experience by managing the libraries' website, intranet, and discovery tools. DTS delivers reliable, user-focused technology that powers discovery, access, and research across the University Libraries.

About the Position:

The Director, Digital Technologies and Services (DTS) is responsible for the Library Services Platform (Alma/Primo) management that supports all of the university’s four libraries (including the Law Library); IT infrastructure and inventory; online applications management and development, including for library content management and discovery tools; web services; desktop support; and other special technology projects as required. This position reports to the Associate Dean, Digital Strategies and Systems. The Director leads a range of library faculty and staff on both extended projects and time-limited assignments, collaborating with stakeholders throughout the libraries to build and maintain an understanding of user needs and available technology solutions. They participate in committees, workgroups, or projects, as required, to share knowledge, develop best practices, and advance the work of the libraries and other assigned duties.

Responsibilities:

Technology Infrastructure Management and Strategy

• Provides direction for the libraries’ primary services delivery platform (Alma) as well as the public-facing discovery system (Primo), administration of authenticated access sub-systems to provide content and services to local and remote users, IT infrastructure to include onsite and remote servers, online application development, web services to include the libraries' primary website (library.gmu.edu), and desktop support for libraries staff and public users;
• Provides a leadership role in the design, planning, development, management and enhancements of the libraries’ electronic resources and web presence;
• Contributes to areas of work within the unit, as needed; and
• Collaborates and coordinates with library departments in all aspects of information technology needs.

Technology Services Change Management

• In collaboration with the Associate Dean, Digital Strategies and Services, evaluates emergent best practices and technologies that would improve the libraries' efficiency and effectiveness in IT operations and library system management and strategically reskills and directs DTS staff to meet shifting needs and requirements.

Supervision

• Sets clear performance goals that align with the libraries’ mission and strategic plan;
• Effectively communicates expectations to team member(s), organizes workflows to optimize productivity, and ensures clarity around roles and responsibilities;
• Drives employee engagement and development by monitoring performance, providing actionable feedback, fostering professional growth through coaching and training, and promoting a collaborative work environment; and
• Champions compliance by upholding university policies, legal standards, and ethical practices, and takes decisive action when necessary to address performance and/or behavioral issues.

Emergency Preparedness and Digital Preservation

• Develops and maintains a strategy to prevent, mitigate, and recover from data loss due to unexpected events;
• Conducts IT risk assessment; implements systems, such as backups and remote storage, to provide proactive mitigation; and creates and maintains documentation to support operational continuity; and
• Researches best practices and approaches for IT infrastructure to support digital preservation to ensure the long-term accessibility of digital assets.

Service and Scholarship

• Engages in university and professional service, and in research and creative work as outlined in the George Mason University Librarians’ Handbook and University Libraries Librarians' Council Bylaws.

Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

• ALA-accredited Master’s Degree in Library or Information Science OR an equivalent certified foreign degree;
• Significant experience leading digital technology (operating systems, data structures, programming, and networking) initiatives, including demonstrated ability to stay abreast with evolving information technologies;
• Considerable experience with Library Services Platform technology;
• Considerable technology project management experience, including planning, executing, and delivering complex initiatives on time and within budget (if applicable), and ensuring alignment with organizational objectives;
• Experience supervising staff and/or teams;
• Knowledge of current and emerging information technologies to retrieve, create, and provide information products, services, and tools in a library environment;
• Knowledge of computer hardware and software, networks, and related technologies;
• Skill in analyzing software packages and hardware configurations to determine those that best fit the organization;
• Strong communication skills to convey complex, technical concepts with clarity and impact to a variety of technical and non-technical audiences;
• Skill with effective delegation, including setting clear expectations and providing adequate supervision; and
• Ability to build relationships and foster trust and collaboration across diverse teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Considerable experience with the Alma/Primo library management system;
• Experience managing system migrations to the cloud;
• Ability to lead organizational change in response to evolving technologies; and
• Web and digital development knowledge and skills.

Posting Open Date:September 11, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by:October 4, 2026

Open Until Filled:Yes