Director, Digital Technologies and Services, University Libraries

Digital Library Federation; Fairfax (VA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

George Mason University Libraries seeks a Director of Digital Technologies and Services to lead Alma/Primo platform management, IT infrastructure, and development of digital resources. You will supervise staff, drive major library IT initiatives, and collaborate with colleagues to align technology with user needs.

The role emphasizes strategic planning, change management, and active engagement in service and scholarship within the library and wider university context.

Qualifications

• ALA-accredited Master’s Degree in Library or Information Science or equivalent foreign degree.
• Significant experience leading digital technology initiatives in libraries.
• Considerable experience with Library Services Platform technology.

Responsibilities

• Provides direction for Alma and Primo platforms and related IT infrastructure.
• Leads design, development, and maintenance of electronic resources and the library website.
• Sets performance goals and manages IT staff and projects.
• Develops backups, preservation, and recovery strategies for data and assets.
• Engages in service and scholarly activities within the library community.

Skills

Digital leadership

Project management

Staff supervision

IT knowledge

Communication

Delegation

Relationship building

Education

ALA-accredited Master’s Degree in Library or Information Science

Equivalent foreign degree

Job description

Director, Digital Technologies and Services, University Libraries

Req # 10004541

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.

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.

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.

Mason Ad Statement

George Mason University is a nationally ranked R1 research university committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperous world. With 40,000 enrolled students, George Mason is the largest and most diverse public research university in Virginia, offering degree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level, along with certificates and credentials. George Mason fosters an All Together Different environment for students, faculty, and staff, driven by our core beliefs. We believe in inclusivity over exclusivity; we believe in advancing our mission by being willing to take risks, not avoiding them; and we believe our best work is possible when we apply our diversity of origin, identity, circumstance, and thought.

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.