Head of Metadata and Cataloging

Code4lib; Northampton, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 63,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Smith College Libraries seeks a Head of Metadata and Cataloging to lead metadata operations across library resources, ensuring accurate representation in systems like FOLIO and discovery environments.

The role balances hands-on technical work with managerial responsibilities, policy development, and continuous improvement in a collaborative, unionized setting.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA‑accredited program, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 3+ years of relevant metadata, cataloging, digital collections, or repository work.
• Experience with batch processes, structured data, imports/exports, bulk editing, and metadata cleanup workflows.
• Experience with a library services platform, discovery service, or repository platform.
• Knowledge of MARC and RDA or ability to learn library metadata standards quickly.
• Supervisory/management experience in a collaborative environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusivity, accessibility, and reparative metadata practices.
• Experience working with diverse backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Lead batch loading, record import, bulk update, and metadata cleanup workflows.
• Analyze, correct, and maintain bibliographic, holdings, item, and related metadata to improve access and data consistency.
• Develop, implement, document, and refine workflows, policies, and procedures for metadata maintenance and data quality review.
• Monitor recurring metadata and data quality issues and recommend improvements to workflows.
• Maintain knowledge of metadata standards and tools.
• Ensure metadata practices support accurate representation and discovery.
• Oversee metadata-related record workflows in FOLIO and related environments.
• Coordinate with colleagues on data imports, maintenance, troubleshooting, and changes affecting metadata display.
• Collaborate on metadata publishing and data flows between systems of record and discovery environments.
• Identify and resolve metadata integrity issues and escalate technical issues as needed.
• Use tools for bulk editing, reporting, analysis, and transformation.
• Assess operational impact of system and workflow changes.

Skills

Analytical abilities

Communication

Supervisory experience

Diversity and inclusion commitment

Education

ALA‑accredited MLS

Tools

FOLIO

EBSCO Discovery Service

Metadata workflows

Job description

The Head of Metadata and Cataloging provides administrative and operational leadership for metadata and cataloging services across Smith College Libraries. Reporting to the Director of Collections, Discovery, and Systems, this position is responsible for the planning, supervision, assessment, and ongoing direction of metadata and cataloging operations for general collections, with particular responsibility for batch loading, metadata remediation, metadata quality control, and the management of bibliographic, holdings, and inventory data in FOLIO and related metadata workflows. The Head works closely with the Cataloging Librarian, Electronic Resources staff, Discovery and Systems colleagues, and the East Asian Cataloging Librarian to ensure that library resources are represented accurately and function reliably across systems used for management and discovery. The position collaborates with the Head of Collection Strategies and other managers on unit priorities, policies, and cross-functional initiatives. In a small-team environment, the Head balances substantive hands-on technical work with managerial responsibility, policy and workflow development, documentation, change management, and continuous improvement.

Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Essential Functions

Metadata and Cataloging Operations (35%)

Lead batch loading, record import, bulk update, and metadata cleanup workflows for library resources.

Analyze, correct, and maintain bibliographic, holdings, item, and related metadata to improve access, discoverability, and data consistency.

Develop, implement, document, and refine workflows, policies, and procedures for metadata maintenance, record processing, and data quality review.

Monitor recurring metadata and data quality issues and recommend practical improvements to workflows and practices.

Maintain current knowledge of metadata standards, descriptive practices, and tools used in metadata creation and management.

Ensure that metadata and cataloging practices support accurate representation, discoverability, and long-term stewardship of library resources.

Metadata Workflows and Data Quality Support (25%)

Oversee metadata-related record workflows, data quality practices, and bibliographic, holdings, and inventory maintenance in FOLIO and related metadata environments.

Coordinate with Discovery and Systems colleagues, Electronic Resources staff, and other library partners on data imports, record maintenance, troubleshooting, and changes affecting metadata display, linking, and access.

Collaborate on metadata publishing and data flows between systems of record and discovery environments, while relying on Discovery and Systems colleagues for technical infrastructure, platform administration, and discovery-layer configuration.

Identify and resolve metadata and data integrity issues affecting the representation and discoverability of library resources, escalating technical systems issues as appropriate.

Use tools and technologies for bulk editing, reporting, analysis, and metadata transformation.

Assess the operational impact of system, vendor, and workflow changes affecting metadata, cataloging, and resource representation.

Collaboration, Documentation, and Training (20%)

Work collaboratively with cataloging and metadata colleagues, archivists, programmers, IT staff, faculty, and other library colleagues to implement metadata standards and data practices.

Develop documentation, decision logs, and training materials to support sustainable workflows and responsible systems changes.

Provide consultation and guidance to library staff on metadata tools, batch workflows, and data quality practices.

Collaborate with departments and teams across Smith College Libraries on metadata creation and maintenance for digital collections, institutional repository materials, and other local projects.

Represent the library in relevant campus, consortial, and professional committees or working groups related to metadata, cataloging, and library data management.

Management, Planning, and Administrative Oversight (15%)

Establish priorities, goals, assignments, policies, and procedures for metadata and cataloging services in collaboration with the Director of Collections, Discovery, and Systems.

Provide administrative oversight for metadata and cataloging services, including workflow planning, problem solving, assessment, and decision‑making related to operational needs.

Manage one or more direct reports in regular and/or fixed‑term roles within an organization comprising of union‑affiliated staff.

Accountable for hiring, development/coaching, and performance‑related decisions, with support from Human Resources.

Make informed decisions impacting the unit and library, including setting priorities, allocating resources, and addressing operational challenges.

Develop a service‑focused culture and foster positive labor relations in a union environment.

Set the tone for employee relations and engagement, ensuring that the workforce is positioned to meet the college's operational needs while creating an environment where all workers are treated with dignity and respect.

Other Functions (5%)

Prepare reports, analyses, and recommendations related to metadata workflows, batch processes, and data quality.

Participate in developing goals, objectives, and implementation plans pertaining to the Libraries' Collections, Discovery, and Systems unit activities.

Contribute effectively to teamwork, communication, problem solving, and customer service.

Engage in professional development related to metadata, technical services, discovery, and library systems.

Perform related duties as required.

All employees are expected to participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Minimum Qualifications (knowledge, skills, education, experience, certifications, licenses)

Master's degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA‑accredited program, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

3+ years of relevant experience in metadata, cataloging, technical services, library systems, digital collections, repository work, or comparable structured‑data work.

Demonstrated experience working with batch processes, structured data, imports or exports, bulk editing, metadata cleanup, or related data maintenance workflows.

Experience working with at least one library services platform, discovery service, repository platform, or comparable data management environment.

Knowledge of metadata and cataloging standards, including MARC and RDA, or demonstrated ability to learn and apply library metadata standards quickly.

Demonstrated ability to analyze problems, document workflows, manage detailed work accurately, and exercise sound judgment when making changes that affect access or discovery.

Demonstrated supervisory, management, or equivalent administrative experience in a collaborative environment.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusivity, accessibility, and reparative metadata practices.

Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred Qualification

5+ years expereince preferred

Experience working with FOLIO, EBSCO Discovery Service, or other library management and discovery platforms.

Experience in a consortial, shared‑catalog, or multi‑institution environment.

Experience with authority control, database maintenance, and metadata quality review.

Experience establishing or revising workflows, local practices, or policies for metadata and cataloging operations.

Experience using tools for bulk editing, scripting, reporting, SQL, spreadsheets, OpenRefine, MarcEdit, or metadata transformation.

Experience developing documentation, training materials, or repeatable operational workflows.

Supervisory or team coordination experience.

Experience working with digital collections, institutional repositories, or vendor‑supplied metadata.

Knowledge of a language other than English.

Skills

Excellent analytical and problem‑solving abilities to address metadata and cataloging challenges.

Demonstrated ability to manage complex, detailed work with attention to accuracy, consistency, and the downstream effects of systems changes.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical information effectively to diverse audiences.

Ability to organize and prioritize work effectively in a small‑team environment.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

Enthusiasm for troubleshooting, workflow improvement, and learning new tools and technologies.

Ability to utilize technologies and tools for metadata creation and management, including bulk editing, automation techniques, and programmatic methods.

Additional Information

Questions about the position or department may be directed to Rob O'Connell at [e-mail] . We welcome inquiries from prospective applicants.

Compensation

In addition to a competitive benefits package, annualized pay for this role is typically between $62,816.36 - $84,986.84 covering the middle half of market compensation. Actual compensation will vary based on individual qualifications and work schedule if less than full-time.

Position Type

Regular

About Smith College

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student‑faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross‑enroll and faculty cross‑teach across the Five Colleges.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at [e-mail] .

As set forth in our mission and values , Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.