Job Opening: Head, Design & Discovery - University of Michigan

[Heidi Burkhardt]

We have an exciting opportunity available at the University of Michigan
Library to lead our newly created Design & Discovery unit. I am a search
committee member and happy to answer any questions.

Heidi
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*Job Summary*

The University of Michigan Library seeks an experienced professional to
manage and lead the newly created Design & Discovery unit within the
Library Information Technology Division (LIT). Design & Discovery, composed
of twelve talented and experienced designers, librarians, and developers,
encompasses three essential IT service areas:

   - LIT-wide program and service management
   - User experience (usability, accessibility, content, information
   architecture, design)
   - Front-end web application development

The Head of Design & Discovery, reporting to the Associate University
Librarian for LIT, provides leadership for programmatic initiatives of the
unit; directs management of the unit’s project and operational portfolio;
and collaborates with the IT leadership team to guide the strategic
direction of the division as a whole. The work of the Design & Discovery
unit is highly collaborative, with projects and initiatives involving staff
from across LIT, the Library, the campus, and beyond. Unit activities
include coordinating strategic initiatives; designing user-centered IT
service models and cross-division work flows; providing analytics-driven
guidance for public discovery, access, and content systems; promoting the
adoption of technology policies and standards; and coordinating IT project
and resource stewardship initiatives. The unit’s service and operational
portfolio includes the library web site; in-house and vendor-based
cross-platform search and discovery systems; user interface frameworks;
library staff business work flow and content tools; and digital exhibits.
Within its design portfolio, the unit promotes user-centered design while
providing leadership and expertise in User Experience (UX) strategy, user
research, assessment, content creation and management, and web
accessibility.

The successful candidate will work as part of a team of IT managers, with a
combined staff of over 60 FTE, focused on realizing the dual mission of the
division: enabling library services through elegant technology solutions;
and uniting the preservation, access, and publishing of digital content.
Collectively, the division supports the development and upkeep of
fundamental services including the library website; information discovery
and access applications; the library management system; learning analytics;
and learning technologies.

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 approaching $1.5 billion a year. 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 and towards the
fulfillment of the library's mission.

*Responsibilities**

*Leadership and strategy* – Contributes to strategic planning for LIT in
the context of library and university goals, and translates strategic
thinking into goal-oriented planning and implementation road maps for
Design & Discovery priorities and areas of activity

*Management and ­supervision* – Facilitates operational excellence for the
Design & Discovery unit, including resource management, staff management,
mentoring and training, and general supervision

*Design and development *– Takes part in high level design and development
of applications, methodologies, and services in cooperation with a spectrum
of stakeholders within LIT and across the library

*Research, teaching, and publication* – Participates actively in the larger
professional community by actively exploring relevant topics, and works to
share knowledge through regular presentations, publications, and teaching

*Required Qualifications**

   - An ALA-accredited master's degree or advanced degree in a related
   field such as Interaction Design, Experience Design, Information
   Architecture, Knowledge Management, or IT Management and five or more years
   relevant experience or equivalent combination of a relevant advanced degree
   and experience.
   - At least three years staff management experience
   - Demonstrated understanding of the role and potential of technology for
   achieving excellence in the design and delivery of information resources
   and services
   - Demonstrated experience with user-centered service development and
   process improvement within the context of information discovery and digital
   content services
   - Record of developing team effectiveness and excellence, including
   skills, capacities, methods and work flow, professional development, and
   diversity
   - Record of increasing professional contributions or notable
   accomplishments at the local or national level in one or more areas of
   expertise related to information technology and information systems
   - Demonstrated experience participating in or managing technical
   projects that require complex coordination, high levels of integration,
   and/or diverse stakeholders and users
   - Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills
   - Excellent written and verbal communication
   - Understands and values diversity and the importance of inclusion as
   demonstrated through a commitment to apply and incorporate the differences,
   complexities, and opportunities that diversity brings to an organization.

*Desired Qualifications**

   - Demonstrated ability to apply and incorporate the differences,
   complexities, and opportunities that diversity brings to an organization
   - 8 or more years experience relevant to job duties and one or more of
   the following:
   - Experience with design, implementation, or management of user-facing
      application development
      - Experience in any or all of the following user experience areas:
      usability, content, information architecture, design standards, and
      universal design
      - Experience with the design and management of search, discovery,
      indexing, and retrieval systems
      - Experience with processes and tools for managing large project
      portfolios
      - Experience with data analytics, data science, or data-driven
      improvement of services and systems


*Additional Information*

*Benefits, rank, salary*
Appointment is anticipated as a senior associate librarian or librarian.
Salary and rank dependent on the candidate's qualifications and experience.
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 excellent benefits and wellness
opportunities.

This position receives 24 days of vacation a year, and 15 days of sick
leave a year with provisions for extended benefits, as well as
opportunities for professional development and travel. TIAA-CREF and
Fidelity Investments retirement options available.


*Application Deadline*
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  This job may
be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting
period has ended. *This posting is currently scheduled to close on January
31st. *

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

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

*How to Apply*

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should
be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should
address your specific interest in the position, include your salary
requirements, and outline skills and experience that directly relate to
this position.

http://umjobs.org/job_detail/118695/head_design_discovery

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Heidi Steiner Burkhardt | User Experience Specialist | University of
Michigan Library
heidisb at umich.edu | @heidi_sb

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2016-01-13
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