Head of Discovery Services

Job Description:

About The Chicago School

For more than 40 years, The Chicago School has been a leading nonprofit university dedicated to training professionals for careers that improve the health of individuals, organizations, and communities. Each member of our faculty, staff, and administration plays a critical role in upholding that legacy, and we take pride in hiring and retaining the most dynamic, talented, and passionate professionals who will help us continue to innovate for decades to come.

About the Library

The University Library at The Chicago School functions as a digital first entity serving students in all 50 states and internationally. Our Library has a physical presence on our campus locations in Anaheim, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Our library offers over 300 databases, 300,000 eBooks, 20,000 print materials, and a unique special collection of Tests and Measures, one of the largest in the world. The library is also the home for our Office of Student Writing & Learning, where students can receive assistance in writing, statistics, and academic coaching.

The Opportunity

The University Library at The Chicago School seeks a dynamic leader to elevate the discovery of our resources and collections. The Head of Discovery Services oversees vital services including acquisitions, collection management, metadata and systems management. This role will help drive initiatives that support the success of students and faculty, advance the creation of knowledge, and broaden community engagement with our collections.

As the Head of Discovery Services, you will have a leadership role in the library ensuring timely, comprehensive and effective discovery and access to library collections in all formats. The incumbent oversees the work of the Discovery Services Department, bringing expertise, vision and strategic direction to all aspects of the department’s work which includes original and copy cataloging, authority control, acquisitions, bibliographic database maintenance/data integrity, supporting the ILS functionality, and development of standards and policies for bibliographic control for the collections.

Subject to departmental needs, a hybrid work schedule may be possible.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for cataloging and discovery of library collections in all formats, and specializations acquired by the University Library.
• Plan, develop, implement and evaluate operations and workflows, establish policies and procedures and set priorities.
• Assess and evaluate library collections for existing and future programs.
• Participate, support, and/or lead implementation projects that help support discovery of library collections.
• Works closely with the Community Solution Education System Library team to perform project management for mission-critical initiatives.
• Coordinates access and maintenance of the library’s licensed digital resources.
• Provide oversight and effective use of the library’s Library Service Platform/Integrated Library System (currently Alma Library Services Platform which includes: Alma, PrimoVE, Rapido, & Leganto). Lead efforts to fully leverage system capabilities for department processes including creation of description, batch loading, reporting and analysis, and database maintenance.
• Represent the Library as a member of the Discovery & Systems working group at The Community Solution Education System, contributing to system development, policy formulation, and collaborative decision-making.
• Provide operational support to the Access Services Department as needed
• Represent the library in consortia and professional organizations.

Minimum Qualifications

• A master’s degree from an American Library Association accredited program (or international equivalent)
• Minimum of three years of professional experience in an academic library setting
• Proven ability to lead and innovate in a collaborative and complex environment
• Evidence of strong communication, organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate, plan, coordinate, and implement projects and manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Ex Libris Alma and Primo
• Represent the library in consortia and professional organizations.
• Knowledge of cataloging standards such as RDA, MARC, and LC Subject Headings.
• Knowledge of metadata schemas, formats, standards, and protocols.
• Experience managing a discovery layer such as Primo.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully supervise and mentor staff
• Knowledge of linked data and emerging and evolving standards, practices, and frameworks for bibliographic metadata, including BIBFRAME and the Official RDA Toolkit.

Application Deadline and Target Start Date

For full consideration, please submit all application materials (CV or Resume, Cover Letter, and references) by September 29th, 2025.

We are currently targeting a January 12th, 2026, start date for this position.

Compensation & Benefits

This opportunity is budgeted $68,000-72,000 based on qualifications and experience. Additional compensation factors may impact total compensation. To learn more about our competitive benefits and additional rewards, including generous paid time-off, medical and dental insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, multiple flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement, click the link below.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Compensation & Benefits

This opportunity is budgeted at $$68,000-$72,000 base compensation. Additional compensation factors may impact total compensation. To learn more about our competitive benefits and additional rewards, including generous paid time-off, medical and dental insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, multiple flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement, click the link below.

https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/career-opportunities/

The Chicago School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please note: For the protection of faculty, staff, students, and all who enter our facilities, The Chicago School strongly recommends that all employees are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 per CDC guidance.