Head, Digital Collections Software Development (Software Engineering Leader)

Code4lib; Bloomington (IN); Hybrid; USD 91,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition subsidy

Paid holidays

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Indiana University Libraries seeks a strategic Head of Digital Collections Software Development to lead software architecture and engineering for digital collections. The role drives AI/ML-enabled discovery, collaborates with IIT and other IU libraries, and advances standards such as IIIF.

The position emphasizes leadership, design, and cross-team delivery, with responsibilities in budgeting, personnel actions, and stakeholder reporting. Remote/hybrid work may be available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; preferred in CS, business systems, or related field.
• 4 years of software development or related experience.
• 1 year of management experience.
• Experience with open-source software and AI/ML tools preferred.
• Knowledge of library software applications and standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and architect software engineering initiatives and define methodologies.
• Plan multi-project timelines, resource and budget considerations.
• Coordinate cross-department collaboration and external partnerships.
• Represent IU in national/international technical collaborations.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Time management

Quality focus

Team building

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Fedora

Samvera

DSpace

Job description

Head, Digital Collections Software Development (Software Engineering Leader)

The Indiana University (IU) Libraries' mission is to support and strengthen teaching, learning, and research by providing the collections, services, and environments that lead to intellectual discovery. Our materials are digital, visual, audio, and print. They are curated from our campuses, our country, and our world. As a result, they are in 450 different languages, are world-renowned, and are ready to connect students and researchers with limitless possibilities. We are also proud to be home to Indiana University Press, an academic press serving the world of scholarship and culture as a professional, not-for-profit publisher.

We offer meaningful work that inspires and empowers students and faculty to excel in research, teaching, and learning. We promote professional development, career advancement, and flexible work schedules.

• Serves as a member of the leadership team for the Library Technologies division of Indiana University (IU) Bloomington Libraries and participates in department, division, and organization-wide planning efforts.
• Leads and contributes to efforts to explore and responsibly adopt AI/ML technologies in support of library digital collections discovery and access.
• Engages in collaboration with peers in other IU departments, including University Information Technology Services and other IU libraries, to coordinate development and support of software applications and adoption of AI technologies.
• Represents IU in national and international technical collaborations in efforts such the Samvera open-source digital repository community and International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) standards community.
• Serves in software architect, high-level technical design, and project management roles on other projects as needed.

General Responsibilities:

• Provides highest level of operational leadership and coordination of assigned staff members to define software engineering methodologies and standards; provides direction and guidance on high priority software engineering projects/initiatives.
• Establishes short-term business plans and long-term operational objectives, including managing project timelines/deliverables and developing resource plans for multi-project/multi-phase software engineering initiatives.
• Conducts a variety of personnel actions to include, but not limited to hiring, promotion, performance management, and dismissal.
• Manages high level assignments and allocation of technical resources, including negotiating and coordinating initiatives that involve staff in other departments/areas/teams; may coordinate large-scale software development projects with a wide audiences in support of academic initiatives.
• Makes budgetary recommendations/proposals based on resource needs and ensures cost containment.
• Researches and stays up-to-date on new industry software engineering standards, emerging technology, User Experience (UX)/User Interface (UI) design/philosophy, and accessibility standards; responsible for the implementation of new protocols/procedures to address business needs.
• Works collaboratively with other software engineering leaders across departments in recommending standards, best practices, and related policies/procedures.
• Prepares management reports and summaries for senior administration, executive, steering and advisory committees; acts as advisor to executive committees; serves on various university committees, communities of practice, and task forces related to software engineering.

Qualifications

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

EDUCATION

Required:

• Bachelor's degree (preferably in computer science, business systems, or related field.)

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required:

• 4 years of software development or related experience.
• 1 year of management experience.

Preferred

• Experience working with open-source software and communities.
• Experience in development projects using AI/ML tools and technologies.

SKILLS

Required:

• Proficient written and verbal communication skills.
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism.
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills.
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent collaboration and team building skills.
• Effectively coaches and delivers constructive feedback.
• Instills commitment to organizational goals.
• Demonstrates excellent judgment and decision making skills.
• Builds and manages effective teams.

Preferred

• Demonstrates skill in developing complex web applications.
• Knowledge of library software applications and standards.
• Knowledge of digital repository software such as Fedora, Samvera, or DSpace.
• Knowledge of image, audio and video file formats and delivery technologies.

Working Conditions / Demands

This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Work Location

Herman B Wells Library
Bloomington, Indiana

This position may be eligible for remote work or to work a hybrid schedule (mix between remote and in-person work), subject to change in the future based on university policy and business needs.

Advertised Salary

$91,000 - $105,000 per year

Benefits Overview

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
• Health savings account with generous IU contributions
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Basic group life insurance paid by IU
• Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
• 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
• Generous paid time off plans
• Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Job Classification

Career Level: Sr. Operational

FLSA: Exempt

Job Function: Information Technology

Job Family: Software/App Design, Dev & Eng

Published: Tuesday, September 29, 2026 15:33 UTC