Director of Information & Technical Services

Harvard Central Administration (CADM) Talent Acquisition; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance (medical, dental, and

Retirement plans

Tuition assistance

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Harvard Library in Cambridge, MA seeks a Director of Information & Technical Services to lead a 99+ staff ITS department with a $14.9M budget. The role sets direction for monographic acquisitions, e‑resources, serials, and metadata programs while partnering with library leadership on strategy and service levels.

The Director acts as a trusted advisor to library leaders, guiding prioritization, policy, and continuous improvement across technical services in a large, distributed system.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in library and information science from an ALA‑accredited program, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of directly related experience in technical services and academic libraries.
• Minimum of three years of experience leading and managing librarians and/or staff.
• Experience managing complex budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead the ITS department of the Harvard Library, overseeing operational management of staff, functions, and operations.
• Provide strategic direction to ITS sections (monographic acquisitions, e‑resources & serials acquisitions and management, metadata creation).
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders and serve on leadership teams to advance library priorities.

Job description

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard’s world‑changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why Work at Harvard Library?

At Harvard Library, we are champions of curiosity. We aim to be global leaders in expanding world knowledge and intellectual exploration, engaging communities in the creation and sharing of new knowledge and connecting them with the vast collections we curate and steward through collaborations around the world. Our core mission for nearly four centuries has been to advance learning, research, and the pursuit of truth at the heart of Harvard, driven by collaboration, diversity, access, and curiosity.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Associate University Librarian for Discovery and Access, the Director of Information & Technical Services will lead the ITS department of the Harvard Library. The Director will oversee operational management of staff, functions, and operations, provide strategic direction to ITS sections (monographic acquisitions, e‑resources & serials acquisitions and management, metadata creation and management), and lead Harvard Library initiatives within their purview. The Director will serve as a trusted advisor for library leaders, set priorities in ordering, scoping, licensing, project planning and strategy, and establish and implement technical services policies, standards, and procedures. The department has more than 99 staff, multiple locations, and an annual budget of approximately $14.9 million. The Director is an active member of the Harvard Library Leadership Team and the Discovery and Access Leads Team.

Job‑Specific Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership, Management, and Planning

• Lead the stewardship, growth and impact of Harvard Library’s ITS department.
• Provide vision and strategic direction for technical services operations and priorities across all ITS sections.
• Manage, coach, and coordinate ITS senior managers and workflows aligned with institutional and departmental strategy.
• Oversee functional operations of the ITS sections, ensuring cohesive, aligned service delivery, projects, and workflows.
• Maintain cross‑functional knowledge to enable effective coordination, prioritization, and decision‑making.
• Leverage staff resources within financial constraints.
• Formulate policies for the administration of technical services activities.
• Promote coordinated technical services across the Harvard Library to strengthen access to collections.
• Ensure ITS addresses identified user needs of Harvard affiliates and the broader community.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, fostering innovation and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a member of the Discovery and Access Leads Team to integrate services across the portfolio.
• Encourage exchange of metadata and electronic resource standards, workflows, and policies with external partners.
• Contribute to library‑wide planning and initiatives that advance the Library’s strategic priorities.
• Champion creative approaches to strategic goals and programs.
• Conduct technology watches and research to review best practices and implement continuous improvement.
• Coordinate with colleagues to ensure agreed‑upon service levels and standards of technical services are met.
• Lead (as appropriate) tactics related to Harvard Library Multi‑Year Goals and Objectives that focus on technical services.

Resource Management

• Inspire and oversee user‑centered technical services operations across a large, distributed library system with a diverse workforce and complex budget.
• Guide functional managers through review and identification of discrete work processes and change initiatives.
• Build and develop critical capabilities through strategic hiring, staff development, and talent management.
• Promote accountability, high performance, staff engagement, and diversity through a sense of purpose and cooperation.
• Define and develop Harvard’s role in training and development of the profession related to metadata processing and creation, electronic resources, and acquisitions.

Collaboration and Outreach

• Recommend policy, service, financial and contractual commitments for Harvard Library participation in national and international programs, and monitor current participation and recommend future engagement.
• Build and promote library‑wide collaborations to meet service needs through active engagement across the Harvard Library system.
• Coordinate with stakeholders among faculty and research communities.
• Represent Harvard Library in regional, national, and international associations.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in library and information science from an ALA‑accredited program, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of directly related experience in technical services and academic libraries.
• Minimum of three years of experience leading and managing librarians and/or staff.
• Experience managing complex budgets.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Demonstrable experience leading progressive initiatives with integrated library systems, bibliographic utilities, metadata schema, and resource management.
• Track record in leading high‑performing teams and spear‑heading transformational change.
• Demonstrated ability to manage staff in a hybrid work environment.
• Ability to identify strategic priorities and lead, preferably with experience within a large academic research library.
• Demonstrated innovation, initiative, and adaptability in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to monitor multiple projects engaging a range of partners.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence, persuade and promote the organization’s work internally and externally.

Additional Information

The position is based on‑site in Cambridge, MA. There may be an opportunity for a hybrid work model compliant with Harvard University policies. Work location is responsive and subject to change based on business needs. Requests for flexibility will be considered in line with Harvard University flex‑work policies.

Work Environment

Work is typically performed in an office setting within a university environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Frequent attendance of in‑person and virtual meetings, presentations, and events, including moving between buildings on campus.
• Effective communication in person, by phone, and electronically.
• Occasional lifting and moving of materials up to 15–20 pounds.

Other Information

• This position has a 90‑day orientation and review period.
• Pre‑employment screening is required.

Work Format Details

This position may be performed at a non‑Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department based on operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard‑designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard‑registered state in compliance with the University’s policy on employment outside Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 060. Please visit Harvard’s Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off, including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Well‑being and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities, including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

EEO/Non‑Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non‑discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world and strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes. Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.