Director, Design and Discovery

MODES OF WORK Onsite Hybrid Mobile/Remote

REGULAR/TEMPORARY: Regular

ORGANIZATIONAL GROUP: Univ Library

DEPARTMENT: LibraryInfoTech-Design&Discov

SALARY: $103,000.00 - $120,000.00

How to Apply

To ensure full consideration, applications must be a single document consisting of:

• A cover letter describing your interest in the position, your skills, and experience directly relevant to the work of the position
• A resume / CV
• A list of three professional references, including their names, contact information, and your professional relationshipJob Summary

As the Director of the Design and Discovery (D&D) department, you will provide vision, expertise, and leadership for managing and enhancing the University of Michigan (U-M) Library's various web applications. In this position, you will direct the department?s work to best meet the evolving needs of the U-M Library users and staff, supervise the department personnel (11 FTE), and report to the Associate University Librarian (AUL) for Library Information Technology (LIT). The Library Information Technology division designs, develops, manages, and maintains a flexible and reliable technology environment in support of the Library's mission.

The Director of the D&D department serves as a member of the LIT Leadership team, which assists the AUL for LIT in critical decisions that affect the Library as a whole, and participates in the overall 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 closely together to coordinate and manage projects, issues, and services that cut across many different areas, and the five departments of LIT frequently collaborate and partner with one another and also with many other departments across the Library. As one of the five departments in LIT, D&D provides expertise in software development, project and content management, digital accessibility, and UI/UX design.

Who We Are

About the U-M Library

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 exceeding $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.

About Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor is consistently ranked as one of the nation's best places to live. Fortune named Ann Arbor the #1 city in its 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.

Responsibilities*

• Leadership/Supervision (35%)
  • Assist the AUL for LIT in LIT-wide planning, reviewing, monitoring, and directing of services, projects, and operations and lead changes to ensure their ongoing alignment with LIT?s and the Library?s strategic goals and objectives.
  • Work in close partnership with other department directors in LIT to coordinate and oversee library technology projects toward their successful completion.
  • Supervise department personnel working by setting work goals, defining expectations, performing evaluations, and supporting professional growth.
  • Monitor and manage the department?s evolving staffing needs.
• Provision of expertise and coordination in software development projects and product management (50%)
  • Provide vision and expertise for the D&D department?s work.
  • Set appropriate goals and directions for software development projects and related products primarily managed by D&D such as the library?s websites, an intranet, in-house and cross-platform search and discovery systems (including Library Search), library staff business workflow systems, teaching and learning applications, content management systems, UI frameworks (including U-M Library Design System).
  • Monitor and direct the ongoing enhancement of software products and effectively manage the related maintenance work.
  • Allocate and adjust resources appropriately to best meet LIT?s and the library?s needs as a whole.
  • Consult with library units in the development of new services that intersect with D&D services and responsibilities.
  • Facilitate timely service and troubleshooting by developing and sustaining active communication channels between LIT/D&D and other related teams in the library.
• Other (15%)
  • Cultivate an environment for continuing innovation and excellence within the department and the division.
  • Participate in cross-departmental/divisional projects, committees, and working groups in the Library when appropriate.Required Qualifications*
• Professional degree from an ALA-accredited library school or other relevant advanced degree and equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 3~5 years of work experience in software application development/ customization/ implementation and related project/product management.
• Supervisory or team leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience in software application development, customization, and implementation work that consists of planning, creating software requirements specifications, prioritization, execution, communication, and evaluation.
• Knowledge of the current and emerging trends in web technologies and software application/system development.
• Demonstrated commitment to incorporate the values of diversity, equity and inclusion into one?s own work and organization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent problem-solving, collaboration, and partnership-building skills.Desired Qualifications*
• Demonstrated familiarity with library technology, academic computing, or similar environments.
• Experience in programming/scripting and familiarity with modern programming principles, frameworks, tools, and application development processes.
• Demonstrated experience in crafting a vision and directions for innovative software application/systems work for a team.
• Proven ability to analyze complex and/or unclear requests, conduct research and gather information, articulate the underlying needs, and build a solution.
• Experience with managing/maintaining open source projects and products.
• Demonstrated ability to introduce, lead, and follow through changes in a team environment to meet the evolving needs and priorities of the library and its users.
• Experience in leading a team whose members are geographically dispersed for effective and excellent performance.Modes of Work

This position is eligible for full remote or hybrid work. 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. Underfill Statement

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate. Additional Information

The anticipated hire date is Spring 2025. Appointment is anticipated as a Sr. Associate Librarian, or Librarian. Salary and rank are dependent on the candidate's qualifications and experience. The salary range for this position is $85,000 - $102,000 for the Sr. Associate Librarian rank, and $103,000 - $120,000 for the Librarian rank.

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 a year), matched retirement contributions with immediate vesting, professional development opportunities, and more. TIAA and Fidelity Investments' retirement benefits are available.

This position is eligible for full remote or hybrid work. Flexible work agreements are reviewed annually and are subject to change dependent on the business needs of the hiring unit, throughout the course of employment.

It is the policy of the University of Michigan to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. Pursuant to the 2022-2025 UM | LEO-GLAM agreement, each appointing unit will designate an administrative contact ('administrative designee') who is responsible for communicating with the necessary parties about accommodations requests made by Employees in that appointing unit on each campus. The Administrative Designee for Library Information Technology-Design and Discovery is Maria Gonzalez. They may be reached at 734-764-7196 or [email protected].

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended. U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

The University of Michigan is a non-discriminatory/affirmative action employer.