The MIT Libraries seek to be leaders in the collaborative development of a truly open global network of library repositories and platforms. To lead our efforts in this area, we seek a creative and inclusive leader with a strong background in digital and open web technologies to direct the development, maintenance, and scaling of software applications and tools designed to dramatically increase access to research collections, to improve service capabilities, and to expand the library platform. The Director of Digital Projects will be responsible for leading our efforts on a variety of collaborative digital library projects; all aimed at increasing global access to our collections and facilitating innovative human and machine uses of a full range of research and teaching objects and metadata.
By employing a dynamic, project-based staffing model and drawing on staff resources from across the Libraries to deliver successful outcomes, the MIT Libraries is poised to make immediate progress. New staff hires will be tied to portfolio need and maturity; and will be supported by a senior leadership commitment to internal funding, grant-seeking, and fund-raising.
The Director of Digital Projects will lead an MIT Libraries supported software development program and will develop partnerships with external academic and commercial collaborators to develop tools and platforms with a local and global impact on research, scholarly communications, education, and the preservation of information and ideas. Our goal is nothing short of an open, trusted, durable, interdisciplinary, interoperable content platform that provides a foundation for the entire lifecycle of information for collaborative global research and education.
Reporting to the Director of the Libraries, the Director of Digital Projects will:
- Be a key leader in creating a bold digital library development roadmap that reflects our ambition to be leaders in the development of libraries as open global platforms.
- Identify, champion, and pursue projects that leverage MIT’s and MIT Libraries’ strengths to solve collective, global challenges in scholarly communications, information management, and digital research.
- Identify and seek co-development partners from across MIT, within the broader library community, and within industry, as appropriate.
- Provide technical and managerial oversight of application development project teams; including performance management, mentoring, and coaching.
- With the Libraries’ leadership team and the IT & Digital Development (ITDD) organization, contribute to planning and implementing the overarching technology strategy.
- With the IT Initiatives Group (ITIG), participate in shared portfolio management activities to ensure alignment with Libraries’ strategic priorities and allocation of library resources.
- Serve as a member of the Directors Group, the Library Council, and the IT Initiatives Group (ITIG)
- Build and manage project teams, schedule and manage software development projects, coordinate deployment and support of production systems with other groups in the Libraries.
- Supervise the development, testing, and deployment of new applications and/or enhancements to existing applications throughout the enterprise.
- Collaborate with the Libraries’ Information Technology team and campus-wide technology services to ensure proper implementation and management of security policies, authentication/authorization procedures, and effective use of available technology resources.
- Maintain awareness of national and international best practices and advances in digital library applications, frameworks, and implementations. Actively seek, build and leverage critical partnerships in library and archives application development communities, developing and contributing to new interfaces, customizations, and projects.
- Represent the Libraries, participate in appropriate local, regional, and national cooperative, outreach, and professional activities.
Required qualifications:
- Four-year college degree
- 7+ years professional experience and increasing responsibility with library systems and digital library strategy and development with evidence of broad, in-depth technology and systems knowledge.
- Experience with integrated library systems/library services platforms, discovery technologies, digital repositories, and/or digital preservation services and technologies. Demonstrated understanding of the trends and ongoing development of such systems and of emerging technologies in these areas.
- Experience directly leading and managing projects – developing proposals, establishing timelines, budgets, and staffing plans, leading day-to-day project work, and delivering on commitments.
- Extensive experience building and leading software development teams.
- Application development experience including architecture/design, deployment, and support.
- A track record of building and supporting collaborative teams of increasing size and complexity with internal and external collaborators.
- A track record of successful engagement with open source development communities.
- Strong organizational and interpersonal skills including mentoring, coaching, collaborating, and team building
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to adapt to shifting priorities, demands and timelines.
- A strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with agile software development processes.
- Knowledge of content management systems, including search, discovery, metadata, taxonomy, etc.
- Experience forming strategic partnerships with industry technology and business leaders.
- Experience seeking and managing external funding.
- Experience working in an academic or research institution library.
- Knowledge of library and information-related protocols, metadata standards, linked data and the semantic web.
SALARY AND BENEFITS: Commensurate with experience and qualifications. MIT offers excellent benefits including a choice of health and retirement plans, a dental plan, tuition assistance and a relocation allowance. The MIT Libraries afford a flexible and collegial working environment and foster professional growth of staff with management training and travel funding for professional meetings.
Apply online at: http://careers.mit.edu/; applications must include cover letter and resume. Priority will be given to applications received by August 15, 2016; position open until filled. Inquiries and nominations should be directed to Director of Libraries, Chris Bourg (cbourg@mit.edu). MIT is strongly and actively committed to diversity within its community and particularly encourages applications from qualified women and minority candidates.
