Library Director Jobs in Needham, MA (NOW HIRING)

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Although the position will remain posted until filled, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by the end of the day on Friday, July 31, 2026.

Reporting to the Associate University Librarian for Discovery and Access, the Director of Information & Technical Services will lead the Information & Technical Services department of the Harvard Library. The Director will oversee the operational management of staff, functions, and operations of ITS and will provide strategic direction to the departments sections (monographic acquisitions, e‑resources & serials acquisitions and management, metadata creation, and metadata management), as well as provide vision and leadership for Harvard Library initiatives within their purview.

The Director serves as a trusted advisor for library leaders making policy‑level decisions and sets priorities in ordering, scoping, metadata processing, creation, and management, licensing, project planning, and strategy in all these areas for ITS. This position is responsible for the overall administration and coordination of work and for establishing and implementing technical services policies, standards, and procedures. The Information & Technical Services department has 99+ staff in multiple locations and an annual operations budget of approximately $14.9 million. The Director serves as an active member of the Harvard Library Leadership Team and the Discovery and Access Leads Team.

• Lead the stewardship, growth and impact of Harvard Library’s Information & Technical Services department.
• Provide vision and strategic direction for technical services operations and priorities across all the sections in ITS.
• Lead, manage, coach, and guide ITS senior managers and coordinate ITS operations and workflows aligned with Harvard Library’s and ITS department strategic priorities.
• Manage, understand, integrate, and oversee the functional operations of the ITS sections, with a systems‑level perspective that recognizes and understands interdependencies across all four sections to ensure cohesive, aligned service delivery, operations, projects, and workflows.
• Provide strategic leadership and informed guidance to section heads by maintaining broad yet in‑depth cross‑functional knowledge across all the ITS sections, enabling effective coordination, prioritization, and decision‑making in all areas of the department.
• Leverage staff resources to meet strategic priorities within financial constraints.
• Formulate policies for the administration of technical services activities.
• Promote and facilitate coordinated technical services across the Harvard Library; ensure programmatic integrity and cooperative planning that strengthen access to the collections.
• Ensure that the work of ITS addresses identified user needs of the Harvard affiliates and community.
• Demonstrate accountability and creativity in building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and foster an environment of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a member of the Discovery and Access Leads Team focused on integrating services across the portfolio to enhance delivery of content to users.
• Encourage the exchange of metadata and electronic resources standards, workflows, and policies with external partners to broaden the impact of Harvard Library in the global knowledge community.
• Contribute to Library‑wide planning and to all initiatives that advance the Library’s strategic priorities.
• Foster a creative and innovative approach to the accomplishment of strategic goals and programs.
• Ensure regular reviews of best practices through technology watches and research; undertake continuous improvement of user‑focused services.
• Work with colleagues to agreed levels of service and ensure that agreed standards of technical services are provided.
• Actively support and lead (as appropriate) tactics in the Harvard Library Multi‑Year Goals and Objectives focused on areas related to technical services.

• Inspire and oversee user‑centered technical services operations and delivery of services across a large, distributed library system through management of a diverse workforce and a complex budget.
• Lead functional managers through review and identification of discrete work processes, change management and initiatives that enhance technical services.
• Build and develop critical capabilities throughout the organization through strategic hiring, staff development, and talent management.
• Foster an environment that promotes accountability, high performance, staff engagement and diversity through a sense of purpose and spirit of cooperation; set standards of excellence that inspire and motivate.
• Define and develop Harvard’s role in training and development of the profession to advance library technical services related to metadata processing and creation, electronic resources, monographic and serials acquisitions.

• Recommend policy, service, financial and contractual commitments for Harvard Library (within scope) to participate in national and international programs; monitor current participation and recommend future participation in relevant collaborative initiatives.
• Build and promote library‑wide collaborations that meet service needs through active engagement with colleagues across the Harvard Library system.
• Coordinate with stakeholders among the faculty and research communities.
• Represent the Harvard Library in regional, national, and international associations.

• Masters degree in library and information science from an ALA‑accredited program, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of directly related experience in technical services area and academic libraries.
• Minimum 3 years of experience leading and managing librarians and/or staff.
• Experience managing complex budgets.

• Demonstrable experience leading progressive initiatives within integrated library systems, bibliographic utilities, metadata schema, resource management, etc.
• Track record in leading high‑performing teams and spear‑heading transformational change.
• Demonstrated ability to manage staff in a hybrid work environment.
• Ability to identify strategic priorities and to lead, preferably with experience from within a large academic research library.
• Demonstrated innovation, initiative, and adaptability in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to monitor multiple projects that engage a range of partners.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively influence, persuade and promote the organization’s work internally and externally.

The position is based on‑site in Cambridge, MA. There may be an opportunity for a hybrid work model compliant with Harvard University policies.

Work location is responsive and subject to change based on business needs. Requests for flexibility will be considered consistent with Harvard University flex‑work policies.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is typically performed in an office setting within a university environment.

• This position requires prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• The role frequently involves attending in‑person and virtual meetings, presentations, and events, including moving between buildings on campus.
• The employee must be able to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and via electronic communication.
• Occasional lifting and moving of materials (such as files, library materials, or equipment) up to 1,520 pounds may be required.

• This position has a 90‑day orientation and review period.
• Pre‑Employment screening required.

This position is salary grade level 060. Please visit Harvard’s Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

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