Assistant Director, Metadata Services at Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey

Job Description:

Assistant Director, Metadata Services

US-NJ-Princeton

Job ID: 2025-20670
Type: Full-Time
# of Openings: 1
Category: Library

Overview

Princeton University Library seeks an experienced and innovative leader to serve as the Assistant Director, Metadata Services. This position provides strategic leadership and direction for a complex department of approximately sixty (60) staff members, including eight (8) direct reports. The successful candidate will drive departmental excellence and innovation in all areas related to descriptive metadata while fostering a collaborative and inclusive workplace culture. 

 

While maintaining awareness of current trends and best practices through engagement with peer institutions, e.g., the Ivy+ Libraries Confederation (IPLC) and the ReCAP Consortium, is integral to the role, the primary focus is leading internal transformation and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and develop policies that advance the Library's Mission, Vision, and North Star statements.
• Lead approximately sixty (60) staff members, fostering a collaborative, inclusive workplace culture.
• Drive innovation in metadata practice.
• Work with selector librarians and acquisition staff to create agile and sustainable workflows.
• Co-chair the Library's Discovery Services Steering Group to ensure discovery services meet patron needs.
• Champion professional growth and create opportunities for staff development through mentoring, training, and project leadership.
• Serve as a thought leader in the research library community.
• Build strategic partnerships that advance Princeton's interests and the broader field of metadata services.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in library science from an ALA-accredited institution
• At least three (3) years of senior management and leadership experience in an academic or large research library setting
• Demonstrated success leading teams through organizational change and improving workplace culture
• Experience managing substantial operational budgets and making strategic resource allocation decisions
• Extensive experience with MARC and non-MARC formats, as well as RDA and other relevant cultural heritage content standards
• Demonstrated familiarity with trends related to metadata in a research library environment
• Experience designing metadata schema for special projects
• Experience creating effective workflows in dynamic environments
• Proven track record of recruiting, developing, and retaining talented staff
• Track record of developing innovative solutions to complex metadata challenges

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

PI266443501

Salary:

$1.00

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