Head of Metadata Creation, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

Posted February 7, 2023

Job Summary

Harvard Library seeks a creative and visionary Head of Metadata Creation to provide leadership and priority-setting for strategic metadata initiatives as well as the operational needs of expert metadata practitioners. A member of the Information & Technical Services (ITS) senior leadership team, the incumbent is a key contributor to planning, strategy, policies and operation of Harvard Library’s technical services department. The Head of Metadata Creation oversees approximately thirty-five metadata practitioners across five managerial units.

With demonstrated success in leading change, both internal to an organization and externally through participation in the profession, the incumbent collaborates with others at Harvard, with peers and with industry partners to reimagine metadata infrastructure needs and guide efforts to achieve that vision

Position Description

Strategic Planning and Leadership

Provides leadership and administrative oversight for thirty-five metadata practitioners across five managerial units in an environment that strives for continuous improvement and encourages a flexible workforce to innovate, test, and assess ideas inside and outside of their standard roles.
Sets the strategic direction for resource description, applying knowledge of current issues and trends in descriptive practices and user behaviors, encouraging active staff participation across Harvard and with external partners.
Models orientation toward action and fosters an environment that promotes accountability, high performance, and staff engagement.
Promotes diversity through a sense of purpose and spirit of cooperation; set standards of excellence that inspire and motivate.
Partners with other members of the ITS Senior Leadership Team to ensure progress on the department’s multiyear goals and objective.

Technology and UX Mindset

Maintains knowledge of trends and best practices in metadata standards and brings an affinity for the application of technology to support processing workflows and/or enhance discovery for library user communities.
Applies UX principles in orienting technical services workflows around the metadata that matters most.

Technical Services Operations

Guides the transitions of staff to using their traditional skills in renewed ways and to position Harvard Library to contribute to this changing professional landscape.
Builds and develops critical metadata capabilities throughout the organization through strategic hiring and staff development.
Leads, reviews, and communicates with stakeholders the analysis and revision of workflow strategies that promote discovery of and access to the Library’s collections.

Collaboration and Outreach Management

Builds and promotes library-wide collaborations that communicate and inform technical services through active engagement with colleagues across Harvard Library; manages expectations from multiple stakeholders and maintains good working relationships.
Represents the Harvard Library in regional, national, and international associations.
Recommends policy, service, financial and contractual commitments for Harvard Library to participate in national and international programs; monitors current participation.
In collaboration with peer institutions, encourages the development of new services required for the efficient, cost-effective operation of a 21st-century metadata creation operation in a large research library.

Basic Qualifications

MLS or equivalent education or related work experience.
Three to five years of supervisory experience or program management required; within a combined union and non-union staffing environment strongly preferred.
Five to seven years working in a library environment, focus on current and future directions for metadata standards and practices, including understanding linked data principles and participating in their development for libraries strongly preferred.
Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, set performance expectations, achieve goals, and direct work in a high-production setting.
Proven ability to work effectively in team environment, including remaining calm under pressure.
Ability to use technology in creative ways to solve problems or facilitate.
Record of developing and implementing new ideas in a complex, knowledge-creating organization

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging and anti-racism.
Capacity to thrive in the exciting, ambiguous, future-oriented environment of a world-class research institution and to respond effectively to changing needs and priorities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and management, interpersonal and organizational experience, and skills essential.
Experience conceptualizing ideas through to successful grant proposals.

Working Conditions

The position will be based on our campus in Cambridge, MA., however, there may be the opportunity for a flexible or hybrid work model compliant with Harvard University work policies.

To Apply

To view the complete position description and to apply, see here.

Although this position will remain posted until filled, applications are strongly encouraged to apply by end of day on March 10, 2023.