Director of Technical Services & Archives

Schlesinger Library, Harvard Radcliffe Institute; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The Schlesinger Library at Harvard Radcliffe Institute seeks a visionary Head of Technical Services to unite archival processing, cataloging, acquisitions, and metadata across formats. This leadership role guides strategic direction, champions innovative tools, and builds streamlined workflows to expand access while fostering a collaborative, user-centered culture.

Reporting to the library executive, the Head will steward a reimagined unit across manuscripts, archives, published works,

Qualifications

• Master's degree in library/information science or related field.
• Extensive experience in archival processing, cataloging, and metadata management across formats.
• Strong governance of metadata standards (MARC, DACS, EAD, Dublin Core, PBCore, VRA Core).
• Experience with ArchivesSpace implementation and staff training.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for archival processing and cataloging across multiple formats.
• Lead integrated, end-to-end technical services covering processing, cataloging, acquisitions, and metadata.
• Develop scalable workflows balancing description, preservation, and access.
• Oversee policies for technical services and metadata creation; adopt new tools and technologies.
• Lead organizational design changes to optimize workflows and responsibilities.
• Drive experimentation and adoption of new methods to scale services.
• Coordinate metadata programs with Aeon, ArchivesSpace, Alma, Connexion, JSTOR Forum, and FileMaker databases.
• Manage complex, cross-departmental projects with clear milestones and resources.
• Use data to evaluate activities and inform decision-making.
• Collaborate with curatorial and research services teams on access initiatives.

Skills

Project management

Change management

Staff training

Metadata standards

Education

Master's degree in library/information science (ALA-accredited)

Tools

ArchivesSpace

Aeon

Alma

Connexion

JSTOR Forum

FileMaker

Job description

The Schlesinger Library at Harvard Radcliffe Institute seeks a visionary Head of Technical Services to unite archival processing, cataloging, acquisitions, and metadata across formats. This leadership role guides strategic direction, champions innovative tools, and builds streamlined workflows to expand access while fostering a collaborative, user-centered culture.

Reporting to the library executive, the Head will steward a reimagined unit across manuscripts, archives, published works,