Faculty Positions

Position Title / Rank: Head, Digital Strategy & Technology, and Digital Initiatives Librarian

College: Library

Department: Digital Strategy & Technology

Date Posted: October 10, 2019

Deadline: November 1, 2019
Please reference AD #19-59

Position Description:

The McLaughlin Library at the University of Guelph invites applications for a dynamic, creative, collaborative librarian to fill the newly established position of head, Digital Strategy & Technology (DS&T), and digital initiatives librarian. This senior leadership position reports to the Associate University Librarian, Research, and is a member of the library’s management team. This position provides creative leadership for proactive innovation, enhancement, maintenance, and support of library-specific technologies, including library services platforms, discovery tools for library and archival materials, digital asset management, website and related web services, repositories, and all systems, hardware, and software that support the library’s operations and services (many of which are offered collaboratively with partners, both on- and off-campus).

The incumbent will promote the vision of the library as being central to the University community as a valued facilitator, partner and catalyst on campus. The core values that drive our vision are learning, service, stewardship, access, innovation, communication, intellectual freedom, and integrity. At McLaughlin Library, we have recently implemented a new management framework to provide clarity around the expectations of library managers and to develop a shared understanding of library management practices. In support of this framework, the Library Management Team (LMT) is committed to supporting the incumbent to develop the necessary skills and aptitudes to succeed in the role by providing training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

Head, Digital Strategy & Technology

  • Overseeing a team of five to seven that includes librarians, IT professionals, and support staff.
  • Design a strategic roadmap that leverages technology to advance our organizational objectives in support of the University’s teaching, learning and research mission.
  • Lead, administer, and coordinate the development, deployment, and provision of effective technologies and technology-based services and the use of library resources to support evolving user needs and expectations.
  • Develop and implement the strategy, policy, and procedures around how new technology projects are requested and implemented at the library.
  • Develop and implement a new, centralized approach to technology project management at the library, where the DS&T team scopes, defines, budgets for, manages, implements, and assesses technology projects across the library.
  • Manage the IT budget for the library, which covers the procurement and maintenance of all hardware, software, web services, contracts, and licenses.
  • As a member of LMT, participate in the collaborative management of the library, including strategic planning, administrative coordination that includes policy development, alignment of services and programs with strategic objectives, assessment, and organizational culture and development.
  • Play a critical leadership role on campus, actively participating in both internal and external organizations and partnerships, such as IT Campus Managers, IT governance sub-committees, the AODA Steering Committee, OCUL, CARL, CKRN, ARL, and others.

    • Digital Initiatives Librarian

  • Work with library staff to scope and define digital/IT projects, providing technical and creative expertise to design, develop, manage, implement, train, assess, and support these projects.

    • REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • An ALA accredited MLIS or equivalent degree.
  • Minimum of seven years of experience as a professional librarian in an academic setting, with increasing levels of responsibility (e.g. managing staff, projects, resources, budget).
  • Experience envisioning, establishing, and implementing high-level strategy and governance for technology in support of research, teaching, and learning.
  • Evidence of substantial professional experience with systems such as library services platforms, archival systems, discovery technologies, digital repositories, digital asset/content management, digital preservation services and technologies, learning management systems.
  • Demonstrated experience leading and managing complex technology projects, including developing proposals, timelines, budgets, and staffing plans.
  • Experience supervising and mentoring a diverse group of staff and developing a supportive and rewarding team culture.
  • Evidence of applying creative approaches to managing and implementing technology projects and content syndication, with a focus on interoperability, scalability, and sustainability.
  • Demonstrated user-centered service philosophy and client focus, with exceptional ability to build partnerships with colleagues, users and partners on campus and beyond.
  • Exceptional leadership skills with a demonstrated commitment to collaboration and the ability to articulate priorities and values across a diverse constituency.
  • Broad knowledge of technologies, development platforms, standards, and cloud-based services.
  • Experience with vendor relations (e.g. RFP processes, software licensing, including SaaS and IaaS).
  • Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communication.
  • Evidence of participation in the community and a well-established record of scholarly activity.

    • All librarians at the University of Guelph are expected to engage in professional practice; scholarship, which includes research, study, professional development and scholarly and creative activities; and, University service and academic or professional service.

    The University of Guelph is the second-largest employer in Guelph, a city of approximately 130,000 people, located about an hour drive west of Toronto, Ontario. University of Guelph is a top-ranked comprehensive university in Canada with an enrolment of about 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across over 40 academic units. The University is known for its commitment to student learning, innovative research, and collaboration with world-class partners. It is a unique place, with transformative research and teaching and a distinctive campus culture. People who learn and work here are shaped and inspired by a shared purpose: To Improve Life. Reflecting that shared purpose in every experience connected to our university positions us to create positive change, here and around the world. Our University community shares a profound sense of social responsibility, a drive for international development, and an obligation to address global issues.

    Application Process

    Interested applicants should submit the following materials: (1) A statement of interest in the position demonstrating how qualifications and experience relate to the responsibilities, duties, and required qualifications of the position, (2) A curriculum vitae, and (3) Names of at least three references, including, where possible, one direct supervisor, one peer/collaborator, and one direct report.

    Please submit applications as a single PDF file to libhire@uoguelph.ca by Friday, November 1, 2019. We anticipate that the first round of interviews (video conference) will take place the week of November 18, 2019 and on-campus interviews will take place the week of January 6, 2020. A position description is available upon request (email libhire@uoguelph.ca).

    The digital initiatives librarian position is a Continuing Appointment position that will be filled at the Associate Librarian level. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and a comprehensive benefits package is provided. The head, Digital Strategy & Technology, role is a five-year administrative appointment (renewable once) with a stipend at the Administrative Librarian III level.

    All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

    The University recognizes that applicants may have had obligations outside of work that have negatively impacted their record of achievements (e.g., parental, elder care, and/or medical). You are not required to disclose these obligations in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these obligations do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position.

    The University of Guelph resides on the ancestral lands of the Attawandaron people and the treaty lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit and we offer our respect to our Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Métis neighbours as we strive to strengthen our relationships with them.

    At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion (https://uoguel.ph/ox2p9) is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

    If you require a medical accommodation during the recruitment or selection process, please contact Occupational Health and Wellness at 519-824-4120 x52674.