Description

OSITION OBJECTIVE 

Reporting to the Associate University Librarian for Creation and Curation Services, the Director of the Freedman Center for Digital Scholarship provides leadership, direction, and establishes priorities for all programs, services, and spaces associated with the Digital Scholarship department and the Freedman Center for Digital Scholarship. This includes responsibility for scholarly communication and open scholarship, text and data analysis, geographic information systems (GIS), research data management, and artificial intelligence services. The Director establishes priorities, operations, and services and implements assessment strategies to enable evidence-based planning and decision-making. They work collaboratively with all library areas and play a leadership role in library-wide planning and decision making as a member of the KSL Leadership Team. Expectations for Leadership Team members are outlined in the team charter.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

Provides creative and innovative leadership to the Digital Scholarship department and collaborates across the library and externally. Communicates effectively and employs general management theories and practices. Plans for the design and evaluation of policies, services, spaces, and programs. Effectively implements relevant policies, operations, and services with a user-centered approach. Implements change management when needed, develops operational procedures and policies, and advocates for all necessary staff and resources. Collects and analyzes data for evidence-based decision-making and planning. (25%)
Collaboratively develops and implements strategies for the ongoing management, development, and maintenance of Case Western Reserve University¿s digital scholarship services. Leads a program that engages the campus community in initiatives that maximize the impact of the university¿s scholarship and knowledge resources. Explores new processes and systems to improve efficiency, assesses and evaluates activities, and keeps abreast of emerging trends and standards in digital scholarship and related fields. (15%)
Directs the operations, staffing, technology, and programming of the Freedman Center for Digital Scholarship. Administers the continuous redevelopment of the Center¿s technology-enabled spaces, equipment, and services, and ensures that faculty, students, and staff are aware of its capabilities. Provides continuous outreach to the campus community about digital scholarship initiatives and services and integrates the Center into the library¿s collaborative service model. (12%)
Provides leadership and direction for the scholarly communication program, collaboratively setting strategy and priorities for services that support researchers in copyright, publication strategy, and open access & open scholarship. This includes the university's institutional repository (Scholarly Commons), guiding its development, policies, promotion, and growth. (12%)
Mentor, supervise, and develop library staff. Work with staff to set performance and development goals and objectives to encourage continuous improvement. Evaluate performance, recruit staff, and work to implement strategies for staff retention. (12%)
As a member of the Kelvin Smith Library Leadership Team, actively contributes and engages in information sharing, ideation, library-wide planning, decision-making, and the development of the library's strategic framework. Implements all strategic objectives relevant to this position as a leader in the organization and within this area of focus. Specific Leadership Team guidelines are outlined in the team charter. (10%)
Contributes to the library, the institution, and the profession through sustained and progressive scholarship, creative expression, and service at the state, regional, national, or international level; contributions will support the advancement of librarianship and increase service to the University and community. (7%)
Cultivates a work environment that promotes and maintains an environment and culture of empathy, collaboration, and respect. (6%)
 

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

Perform other duties as assigned. (1%)

CONTACTS 

Department: Work with KSL leadership on policy and planning of resources, services, and operations. Work with department staff to ensure excellent service for the campus community. Frequently collaborate with staff on all levels of the organization to support the provision of library services, including colleagues in research services, collections, technology, and archives whose work intersects with digital scholarship.

University: Consult regularly with faculty and university staff to ensure that client needs are considered and served, that services and planning are coordinated, and that policies are applied and implemented consistently. Partner with academic departments, the Office of Research, and University Technology on research computing, data management, and artificial intelligence initiatives. Collaborate with University Philanthropy to develop plans for continued philanthropic support of the Center.

External: Participate in local, regional, and national organizations to maintain a network of information professionals which enhances our services and to stay abreast of trends and changes in the profession. Collaborate with colleagues in OhioLINK, consortia partners, and peer academic libraries, and work with vendors and platform providers to support digital scholarship technologies.  Engage both existing and potential donors for continued philanthropic support of the Center.

Students: Regular communication with student assistants in the department to provide assistance and information resources to support their education and research needs.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervise exempt staff and non-exempt staff, student employees, and temporary full- or part-time workers.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A Master's degree in Library/Information Science or an advanced degree in a related discipline plus six years of relevant library experience. Advanced educational credentials (second Master's degree, Ph.D.) preferred.

Experience: Department heads must have sufficient experience and expertise in library leadership, management, and the work of a team/unit/department to serve as a supervisor, advisor, and mentor.

Librarian level: Appointment to the level of Librarian 3 assumes that all requirements of the level will be met and sustained, that the individual will demonstrate continued and outstanding growth in the profession, and perform existing duties and responsibilities at the highest level. Librarian levels are outlined in the librarian assembly handbook.

REQUIRED SKILLS

Ability to make evidence-based decisions on a strategic basis; to engage in leadership activities in library, scholarly, and professional organizations; to exercise the highest level of professional judgment and provide evidence of longstanding leadership. Able to apply best practices; can use advanced techniques and technology to innovate; ability to perform or administer most complex or most specialized duties; communicate effectively; and employ general management theories and practices.
Evidence of professional contributions (publishing, creative contributions, presentations, and/or professional service at the state, regional, national, or international level); notable contributions to advance librarianship and increased service to the University and community; keeps abreast of the role and application of trends for libraries in higher education.
Clear awareness of current relevant best practices and standards for the development of digital scholarship services, including scholarly communication and open access, research data management, text and data analysis, GIS, digital publishing, and artificial intelligence. Record of success developing and promoting digital scholarship services, instruction, and programming to advance the success of faculty, staff, and students.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills.
Demonstrable collaborative management style and a commitment to exceptional user services.
Demonstrated successful experience directing a technology-enabled space or center, including planning for equipment, software, staffing, and programming, and promoting its services to a campus community.
The ability to engage staff in improvement and change, and proficiency in project management to initiate, facilitate, conclude, and evaluate projects with efficiency and effectiveness.
Demonstrated ability to secure resources needed and to serve as a strong advocate to accomplish the mission of the library, including experience with grants, partnerships, or other external funding.
An understanding of, and the ability to respond effectively to, changes in teaching, learning, and research, including current and emerging trends in research practice, instructional methods, and service assessment and outcomes measures.
Ability to create and contribute to an environment of empathy, collaboration, and respect.
Experience with supervising and mentoring staff including clear goal setting, regular feedback, and strong support for growth. 
Ability to demonstrate successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest
Ability to meet consistent attendance
Ability to effectively interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face-to-face.
Ability to cultivate an environment of empathy, collaboration, and respect
 

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office/library environment. This position is hybrid eligible in accordance with the university¿s hybrid program