Director, Automation, Indexing, & Metadata, Library Information Technology, University Library

As the Director of the Automation, Indexing, and Metadata (AIM) department, you will provide vision, expertise, and leadership for the Library’s Library Services Platform (Alma from Ex Libris). AIM employees manage day-to-day operations of Alma and develop and maintain integrations with related bibliographic and record management systems. You will oversee the daily operation of Alma and play a key role in shaping Alma-related collaboration across many different units of the library. You will report to the Associate University Librarian (AUL) for Library Information Technology (LIT).

The Director of AIM serves as a member of the LIT Leadership team, which assists the AUL for LIT in the planning and development, maintenance, and operation of the Library’s IT environment and the key technologies essential to the daily services and operations of the Library. Department directors in LIT work together to coordinate and manage projects and services and their departments frequently collaborate with stakeholders across the library.

Responsibilities*

• Leadership (20%)
• Assist the AUL for LIT in LIT-wide planning and directing of services, projects, and operations
• Partner with other department directors in LIT to oversee library technology projects toward their successful completion
• Manage department personnel (5 FTEs) by setting work goals, performing evaluations, and supporting professional growth
• Manage the department’s evolving staff needs
• Alma Technical Expertise (40%)
• Provide leadership and coordination in the development and management of applications integrated with Alma that support the library’s services and operations, working collaboratively with relevant parties in LIT and elsewhere in the library
• Coordinate management of the Alma platform, utilizing analytic tools, working groups, local expertise and vendor support to develop effective workflows for user needs
• Oversee and contribute to data importing/exporting, metadata maintenance, and indexing activities related to Alma records and integrated systems, working across library departments and with vendors
• Oversee and contribute to the creation and distribution of regular and ad hoc reports that support the library in making data-driven decisions about our collection and services
• Alma Governance, Communication, and Support (30%)
• Participate in library-wide Alma governance activities, including serving as the main LIT liaison to the U-M Library’s Alma Coordinating Committee and Collection Steering Team
• Develop appropriate communication channels between LIT/AIM and other related library groups to facilitate Alma-related support
• Consult with library units on the development of new services that intersect with AIM resources and responsibilities
• Maintain and foster relationships with other campus libraries (Dearborn and Flint) to address areas of mutual concern related to Alma or other bibliographic and record management systems integrated with Alma
• Other (10%)
• Cultivate an environment for continuing innovation and excellence within the department and the division
• Represent the U-M Library at relevant regional and national forums such as the Ex Libris Users of North America (ELUNA) community group and the Big Ten Academic Alliance as needed
• Participate in cross-departmental/divisional projects, committees, and working groups in the library

• Professional degree from an ALA-accredited library school or other relevant advanced degree or undergraduate degree and related equivalent experience
• 3 or more years of work experience in an academic or research library setting
• 2 or more years of experience working directly with Alma
• Supervisory or team leadership experience
• Thorough understanding of the workings of, and developing trends in, Library Services Platforms (LSPs), and demonstrated experience successfully putting that understanding into LSP management practices
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing learning
• Experience analyzing complex and unclear requests, gathering information, and communicating with staff and leaders at different levels across the organization to troubleshoot problems, facilitate collaborative decision-making and build solutions
• Demonstrated commitment to the importance and value of working collaboratively with a broad range of people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with attention to detail

Desired Qualifications*

• Alma Administration Certification
• Expertise in complex project management
• Prior programming experience
• Experience with the work of Technical Services units in libraries including bibliographic metadata standards, electronic resource management, and cataloging workflows
• Knowledge of systems design, workflow analysis, and automation techniques

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Librarian appointments carry with them increased expectations regarding professional development, professional engagement, research, and service, in keeping with the library’s process for librarian promotion and advancement.

The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, generous time off (24 vacation days per year, and 15 days of sick leave per year), matched retirement contributions with immediate vesting, professional development opportunities, and more. TIAA and Fidelity Investments’ retirement benefits are available.

This position may be eligible for flexible work opportunities at the discretion of the hiring department. Flexible work agreements are reviewed annually and are subject to change depending on the business needs of the hiring department, throughout the course of employment., $70,000.00 - $120,000.00

The University of Michigan Library is one of the world’s largest academic research libraries and serves a vibrant university community that is home to 19 schools and colleges, 100 top-ten graduate programs, and annual research expenditures over $2 billion. To enable the university’s world-changing work and to serve the public good, the library collects, preserves, and shares the scholarly and cultural record in all existing and emerging forms, and leads the reinvention of the academic research library in the digital age.

The library is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and encourages all employees to fully incorporate their diverse backgrounds, skills, and life experiences into their work. We champion diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our work engages a broad and diverse community with wide-ranging needs and concerns, and we empower all employees to actively participate in the ongoing process of learning about and responding to these needs. We value the synergy that results from sharing and leveraging our different experiences, backgrounds, skills, talents, and interests to build an environment in which all our community members can flourish. Learn more in the Library’s Diversity Strategic Plan., Ann Arbor is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s best places to live. Fortune named Ann Arbor the #1 city in its recently published 25 Best Places to Live for Families for 2022, and U.S, News & World Report ranked Ann Arbor the #11 best place to live in the U.S. and #1 best place to live in Michigan. Ann Arbor has diverse, culturally-rich communities, top-rated primary and secondary schools, a thriving LGBTQIA+ community, amazing art fairs, film festivals, and theatrical productions, over 160 highly-walkable parks, numerous science, art, and history museums, multiple farmers markets, nationally ranked public libraries, outdoor recreation throughout the year, a charming, historic downtown lined with independent bookstores, gift shops, and breweries, and over 400 delectable restaurants across the city. Ann Arbor is about 30 minutes away from the Detroit Metropolitan Airport and less than an hour to downtown Detroit.