Faculty Positions

Position Title / Rank: Associate or Full Librarian and Head, Digital Strategy & Technology (Open to University of Guelph Internal Employees Only)

College: McLaughlin Library

Department: Digital Strategy & Technology (DS&T)

Date Posted: December 15, 2022
Deadline: January 13, 2022 or until a suitable candidate is found
Please reference AD #22-80

Position Description:

The McLaughlin Library at the University of Guelph invites applications for a continuing appointment position at the Associate or Full Librarian level.

The Team:

The Digital Strategy & Technology team is responsible for:

  • Implementing the Library’s overall digital strategy in support of the university’s teaching, learning and research mission
  • Developing policies, and procedures
  • Centralized management, purchasing, and maintenance of library hardware, software, web services and IT contracts and licenses
  • Providing a centralized approach to IT/digital project management
  • Backend support for the technology our users need for their research, teaching, learning

The Position:

Reporting to the Associate University Librarian, Research, the Head, Digital Strategy & Technology works collaboratively with other library teams, campus and collaborative partners to provide strong management and proactive leadership of library-specific technologies.

Responsibilities for this position include:

  • Overseeing a team of five to seven that includes librarians, IT professionals, and support staff, which provides supports and services to library staff and library users.
  • Developing a digital strategy to guide the library’s work 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 to support evolving user needs and expectations.
  • Work with the other library teams to develop and implement a strategy in support of scalable and sustainable digital asset management, digital preservation, digital scholarship and research computing infrastructure.
  • Develop and implement a 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
  • Develop and implement the strategy, policy, and procedures for how new technology projects are requested, managed, and implemented at the library.
  • Manage the library IT budget, which covers the procurement and maintenance of all hardware, software, web services, contracts, and licenses.
  • As a member of the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT) 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.

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)
  • Evidence of substantial professional experience with systems (e.g. library services platforms, archival systems, discovery technologies, digital repositories, digital asset/content management, digital preservation services & technologies), development platforms, standards, cloud-based services and vendor relations (e.g. RFP processes, software licensing)
  • Demonstrated client focus, with exceptional ability to build partnerships with colleagues, users and partners on campus and beyond, and the ability to articulate priorities and values across a diverse constituency
  • Demonstrated experience leading and managing complex technology projects (developing proposals, timelines, budgets, staffing plans, etc.) with a focus on interoperability, scalability, and sustainability
  • Experience envisioning, establishing, and implementing high-level strategy and governance for technology in support of research, teaching, and learning
  • Experience supervising a diverse group of staff and the ability to be a collaborative, inclusive leader
  • Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communication

The University of Guelph is the third 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 over 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

Assessment of applications will begin January 16, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should submit the following materials:

  • A statement of interest and vision for the position demonstrating how their qualifications and experience relate to the responsibilities, duties and required qualifications of the position,
  • A curriculum vitae, and
  • Names of at least three references, including one direct supervisor, one peer/collaborator, and one direct report; all for either most recent or immediately prior position. (References will not be contacted without consent)

Please submit application as a single PDF by email to libhire@uoguelph.ca by end of day January 13, 2023.

The Head, Digital Strategy & Technology role is a five-year administrative appointment (renewable once) with a stipend at the Administrative Librarian II 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.