Manager for Collection Development & Resource Strategy

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

48d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Harvard Law School Library advances world-class research and teaching through dynamic, forward-looking, and responsibly stewarded collections. Reporting to the Director for Collections, the Manager for Collection Development & Resource Strategy provides senior-level leadership for the implementation and stewardship of the Harvard Law School Library’s collection development program. This position advances collections strategy through resource selection, fiscal oversight, licensing negotiation, policy implementation, workflow design and collaboration with Harvard Library central offices and other institutional partners.
This position supervises two professional librarians and exercises significant professional judgement and discretion in resource selection, policy application, budget management, and staff leadership. The position ensures the coordinated and consistent execution of collection development priorities, supports the continuity of institutional knowledge and practice, and promotes sustainable and responsive collections that support the Law School’s research and teaching mission.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Library/Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution or equivalent and 4+ years’ progressively responsible professional experience in an academic, research, or similarly complex, preferably law library, environment.
• Supervisory experience

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with Ex Libris Alma and Alma Analytics, a plus.
• Demonstrated experience with collection development activities, including selection, resource evaluation, and budget-related decision-making.
• Experience using data, assessment tools, or financial information to inform decision-making.
• Familiarity with legal electronic resource platforms, access models, and licensing concepts.
• Experience working with electronic resources, licensing, or vendor relations.
• Experience coordinating workflows or collaborating across departments or institutions.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to build productive working relationships and navigate differing perspectives in a collaborative environment.
• Reading knowledge of one or more foreign languages relevant to legal or academic collections, a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage the collections budget in alignment with strategic priorities established by the Director for Collections, establishing implementation plans, forecasting expenditures, and ensuring responsible and transparent allocation of resources.
• Conduct data-informed analysis to support renewal, cancellation, acquisition, and format decisions, providing recommendations to inform collections planning.
• Develop financial models and budget projections to support long-term collection sustainability and strategic decision-making.
• Select materials in U.S. law and other English and non-English speaking jurisdictions as required to support faculty research, curricular priorities, and emerging areas of scholarship.
• Lead ongoing assessment and analysis of print and digital collections to inform strategic planning and resource allocation.
• In partnership with the Director for Collections, develop, implement, and refine collection development policies, procedures, and workflows governing collection development activities to ensure consistent execution, transparency, knowledge-sharing, and continuity of practice.
• Serve as a liaison to Harvard Library central offices and collaborate with peer institutions to operationalize university-wide initiatives and advance collaborative collection development priorities in partnership with the Director for Collections.
• Supervise the Foreign, Comparative & International Collection Development Librarian and the Collection Development Coordinator.
• Negotiate license agreements and contracts for electronic resources in consultation with the Director for Collections, to secure favorable terms, support access needs, and mitigate institutional risk.
• Manage relationships with publishers, vendors, and consortia partners and Harvard Library stakeholders to support collection priorities and implement university-wide policies, systems, and resource initiatives within the Law Library.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager