The Ohio State University Libraries aspires to be the model library advancing the educational, research, and engagement missions of a 21st-century public, land grant, urban, community engaged university. We seek a dynamic, growth-oriented, and values-driven leader to provide strategic direction for our Technology and Digital Programs division in support of this vision. Reporting to the Vice Provost and Dean of University Libraries, the Assistant Dean will direct an evolving portfolio of information technology services and digital programs that support the university’s transformational academic plan and ambitious research agenda.

The Assistant Dean will partner to create a shared vision for and advance the development and implementation of applications, systems, and technology services that enhance digital initiatives and library operations and work with a wide variety of campus partners to ensure robust library support for the teaching, research, and service needs of the university community. As a senior leader within the Libraries, the Assistant Dean will demonstrate in-depth knowledge of trends and emerging solutions in areas relevant to library technology and digital initiatives; engage in appropriate national and consortial dialogs; seek mutually beneficial collaborations with peer institutions; and contribute to the fields of library technology and digital initiatives through active professional engagement.

A member of the Libraries’ senior administrative group, the Assistant Dean joins a team that practices shared leadership, intentional communications, and participatory decision making and models The Ohio State University’s shared values.

Responsibilities:

• Leads the Libraries’ Technology and Digital Programs division, comprised of approximately 30 faculty and professional staff supporting the applications development and cloud architecture; desktop, audiovisual, and systems support; digital initiatives; digital preservation; digitization; and information security functions.
• Serves as the senior technology leader within the Libraries, with responsibility for developing and leading a vision that advances the university’s research, teaching and learning, and outreach and engagement missions.
• Leads the Technology and Digital Programs division in developing strategic directions, implementing efficient and effective operations, and assessing service quality.
• Oversees the development and management of open-source applications comprising the digital library, digital repository, and publishing platforms; the integrated library management system; the deployment of search and discovery services; web development and content management; staff desktop computing services; Research Commons technical support; the Libraries’ storage, server, and network infrastructure; and information security.
• Partners with the Associate Dean for Content and Access and the Associate Dean for Special Collections and Area Studies in leading the preservation, discovery, and access of digital content.
• Leads the Libraries’ partnership with university’s Office of Technology and Digital Initiatives (OTDI), including public computing services support, information security, digital accessibility, privacy, and other enterprise-level technology-related activities.
• Serves as the Libraries’ information technology representative to the university, OhioLINK, and the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA), among other collaborative initiatives.
• Fosters a supportive, collaborative work environment, and encourages cross-divisional partnerships.

Required Qualifications:

• An advanced degree in computer science, engineering, information science, management information systems, or other relevant discipline or equivalent professional experience in a large-scale, integrated information technology environment.
• Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in a research library or another large-scale, integrated information technology environment.
• Demonstrated success in planning, oversight, and administration in academic/research libraries or another large-scale integrated information technology environment, including effective leadership, supervision, coaching, and budgetary skills.
• Ability to inspire, build trust, lead organizational change, empower professional growth, and engage employees and stakeholders in delivering user-centered services.
• Strong commitment to actuating Ohio State’s shared values and promoting an organizational culture of excellence and impact, diversity and innovation, inclusion and equity, care and compassion, and integrity and respect.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, written, and collaboration skills for communicating complex issues and perspectives to a diverse range of constituencies.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills.

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge and understanding of significant trends and issues in the application of technology to information management and discovery and digital accessibility and preservation.
• Knowledge and understanding of applying ITIL in delivering information technology services.
  • Significant record of participation in relevant collaborative initiatives and professional associations.

Discover Ohio State

The Ohio State University’s Shared Values include Excellence and Impact, Diversity and Innovation, Inclusion and Equity, Care and Compassion, and Integrity and Respect. Our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration and courageous thinking, and upholds freedom of expression. We define diversity broadly and value multiple dimensions of diversity including, but not limited to demographic, religion, country of origin, perspective, ability status, and background.

Ohio State prides itself on welcoming a wide range of viewpoints and providing opportunities for all to deepen and develop their intellectual curiosities. As a land-grant university, we recognize and understand that a diverse faculty, staff, and student body in which all may engage in open dialogue, be exposed to new ideas and perspectives, belong, and feel valued and included is essential to our efforts in meeting our mission of academic excellence and public service.

 

About The Ohio State University Libraries

The Libraries promotes innovative research and creative expression, advances effective teaching, curates and preserves information essential for scholarship and learning at Ohio State, and shares knowledge and culture with the people of Ohio, the nation, and the world. Libraries faculty and staff live these values in all that we do: Discovery, Connection, Equity, Integrity, and Stewardship.  Learn about our strategic directions here https://library.osu.edu/strategic-directions.

 

The Libraries’ greatest resource is our faculty and staff. Their expertise produces value beyond the collections and their commitment to continual improvement and innovation is one of the most significant ways the Libraries meets the diverse and evolving information needs of university students, faculty, and staff, alongside scholars throughout Ohio and the world.

 

As a global leader, the Libraries is actively engaged in local, statewide, national, and international initiatives to help shape the future of academic research libraries. These activities and the innovations that result enhance our ability to acquire, manage, and preserve emerging information resources, support knowledge creation, and enable its effective transmission to future learners. Information about the Libraries is available at https://library.osu.edu.

 

The Libraries strives to provide welcoming, supportive environments for all to pursue and share knowledge. The Libraries is guided by our strategic priorities that facilitate, celebrate and honor diversity, inclusion, access and social justice. All positions are expected to contribute to building and advancing this environment, and we encourage candidates to apply who share these values.

 

Columbus: Full of excitement and opportunity

Columbus is the largest and fastest-growing city in Ohio, with a vibrant blend of arts and culture, including inspired culinary, fashion, music, and entertainment scenes, exciting collegiate and professional sports, and an open, entrepreneurial spirit. With a burgeoning downtown, lively urban districts and a diverse array of welcoming neighborhoods it’s a city that invites exploration. Learn more about the nation’s best kept secret at https://visit.osu.edu/experience.

 

Salary

$145,000 to $180,000 annual salary negotiable.

 

Benefits

Ohio State offers a comprehensive benefits package with a variety of options to meet your unique needs. Ohio State’s total rewards package includes benefits that support employees’ health, finances, work-life balance, and education. Learn more about our outstanding benefits at https://hr.osu.edu/benefits/.

 

Application

Please submit cover letter, CV, references, and application at https://osu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/OSUCareers/job/Columbus-Campus/Assistant-Dean-for-Technology-and-Digital-Programs_R84802-1 by August 27, 2023.

 

 

The Ohio State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. The Ohio State University is a member of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Diversity Alliance.