Senior Manager, Archival ProcessingDepartment: CollectionsEmployment Type: Full TimeLocation: Library Services CenterReporting To: William StingoneCompensation: $100,000 - $108,000 / yearDescriptionOverviewThe New York Public Library (NYPL) seeks a proven and collaborative leader to expand and strengthen its current operations devoted to archival processing. The Senior Manager of Archival Processing will provide vision, leadership, and oversight for a team that processes archives held and acquired by the curatorial divisions at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and the Library for the Performing Arts ensuring timely access to the Library’s special collections.The position, reporting to the Associate Director for Special Collections Processing, will manage the Archival Processing unit, supervise and train professional and non-professional staff in the processing of archival collections, work closely with curatorial leads to ensure alignment of archival processing approaches and priorities, manage the archival processing queue, set benchmarks for staff and ensure timely processing of new acquisitions and other priority projects, oversee the review and revision of finding aids and catalog records for archival collections to ensure accuracy and adherence to national and local standards, and lead the development and documentation of NYPL’s archival processing best practices.While based at the Library Services Center (LSC) in Long Island City, Queens, the Senior Manager works across the organization to establish collaborative relationships that unify and strengthen archival processing and the Library’s stewardship efforts.We are looking for someone we can count on to:Own :
Plan, coordinate, and effectively manage the department's day-to-day operations to advance archival processing priorities and institutional goals.
Teach :
Develop, maintain, and communicate standards and best practices for archival processing while fostering a community of practice that values problem-solving, collaboration, and innovation.
Inform stakeholders across NYPL about ongoing developments and strategic plans for archival processing and develop new staff engagement and communication strategies.
Learn:
Keep abreast of developments in the area of archival description, proposing new methods and approaches when appropriate.
Improve :
Clarify policies, optimize processes, and strengthen communication channels and staff engagement to help the staff work better together and with partners throughout the organization
Evaluate current departmental structure and reporting lines and propose short- and long-term changes.
Assess, establish, and measure the effectiveness of workflows drawing on the use of emerging technologies and aligning with best practices.
Some expectations for this role are that within:1 month , this person will:
Meet with archival processing staff and curatorial partners to assess the effectiveness of archival processing workflows, prioritization, and department structure.
3 months , this person will:
Propose improvements to department structure and staffing based on evaluation of current structure, emerging institutional priorities, and possible team growth supported by potential grant funding.
Develop improved methods of communication with curatorial partners.
In collaboration with the Associate Director for Special Collections Processing, develop and share processing queues for the next 2-3 years that reflect curatorial and institutional priorities.
6 months and beyond , this person will:
Develop and document a plan to address archival processing long-term and near-term goals, including new acquisition processing, backlog processing, data remediation and migration projects, and new initiatives.
Responsibilities
Plan, coordinate, and manage workflows of the unit based on curatorial priorities and institutional goals
Supervise and train professional and non-professional staff (currently 10 FTE) in the processing of archival collections
Work closely with curatorial leads to ensure alignment of archival processing approaches and priorities
Manage the archival processing queue, setting benchmarks for staff and ensuring timely processing of new acquisitions and other priority projects
Oversee the review and revision of finding aids and catalog records for archival collections to ensure accuracy and adherence to national and local standards
Lead the development and documentation of NYPL’s archival processing best practices
Collect and report monthly processing statistics
Work closely with managers in Preservation and Collections Processing to develop, document, implement, and maintain workflows spanning multiple departments
Estimate staff time needed for archival processing projects to support planning and fundraising around acquisitions and digitization projects
Work closely with LSC Collection Manager and other appropriate staff to oversee the contribution of archivists to the acquisition and accessioning processes for archival collections
Keep abreast of developments in the area of archival description, proposing new methods and approaches when appropriate
Propose and implement approved changes to organizational structure of the archival processing team as necessary
May represent or delegate representation of NYPL on multi-institutional collaborative projects related to archival description, including SNAC and NAFAN
Perform other duties as assigned
Required Education, Experience & SkillsRequired Education & Certifications
ALA-accredited MLS / MLIS or advanced degree and relevant, substantial research library experience in special collections
Required Experience
Minimum seven years of successful professional experience in processing archival collections
Minimum two years experience supervising archival processing staff and operations
Required Skills
Experience supervising archivists and technical assistants doing archival processing
Demonstrated record of successful project management
Strong knowledge of data and content standards, including EAD, EAC, DACS, MARC, RDA, AACR2, LCSH, LC/NAF, AAT, and TGM
Awareness of emerging trends in the field of archival description
Experience working collaboratively with varied groups within a complex organization
Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities
Eleven direct reports.
MoreCore ValuesAll team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:
Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
Be Resourceful in solving problems
Be Curious in all aspects of your work
Be Welcoming and Inclusive
Work Environment
Office, some hybrid accommodated
Physical Duties
Lifting up to 30 lbs. required
Pre-Placement Physical Required?NoUnion/Non UnionNon-UnionFLSA StatusExemptSchedule
9-5, M-F
This job description represents the types and levels of responsibilities that will be required of the position and shall not be construed as a declaration of all of the specific duties and responsibilities for the role. Job duties may change if Library priorities change. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description as needed.The New York Public Library Salary StatementAt the Library, we believe that pay transparency and pay equity are important to ensuring we source the best candidates and keep the best employees. When making a determination as to the appropriate salary for a candidate, we consider a variety of factors such, including, but not limited to, the position requirements, the skills, prior experience, and educational background required or preferred for the job, the scope and impact of the role within the organization, internal peer equity, and the candidate's specific training, experience, education level, and skills. No single factor is conclusive; the Library reserves the right to consider any and all relevant factors and make a decision consistent with its policies.Union Salaries are determined by collective bargaining agreement(s).