Director, Wellesley College Digital Archives

As Wellesley College celebrates its 150th anniversary, we are embarking on an ambitious and transformative digital archive project in the Archives: to tell the powerful story of the global impact of a Wellesley education since its founding by creating a digital archive featuring select alumnae who have made a difference in the world and who embody the Wellesley motto, “Non Ministrari sed Ministrare”-- Not to be ministered unto but to minister. Guided by President Johnson’s vision, this initiative seeks to strategically acquire, curate, preserve, and showcase the papers of the Wellesley alumnae who have shaped their times and the world. This digital archive will serve as both a scholarly resource and a living testament to the power of women’s education and leadership.

To shape and implement this new initiative, we are seeking an innovative, digitally savvy archivist with strong leadership, collaboration, communication, and strategic skills to implement this new and exciting vision. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a dedicated team focused on safeguarding the past while exploring emerging archival practices. Reporting jointly to the Chief Information Officer/Associate Provost and the Director of Library Collections, this position will be part of a strong merged Library and Technology Services organization with a record of providing excellent service to the College community.

A key priority for the Director will be developing and implementing a strategic plan for addressing the growing prominence of born-digital materials, outlining acquisition priorities, and ensuring the necessary resources, infrastructure, and policies are in place to meet the demands of this new initiative’s focus.. The Director will collaborate with Archives and other staff to champion the initiative both within the College and externally, building strong partnerships with alumnae and other stakeholders. In close collaboration with the Development Office, the Director will help inspire (select) alumnae to donate their papers and ensure the Archives reflect the remarkable achievements of Wellesley graduates.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the new born-digital archives initiative to tell the story of the impact of a Wellesley education through collecting, preserving, and making accessible the papers of select Wellesley College alumnae in digital format, highlighting their achievements and contributions to the world.
• Develop and advance programs for archiving born-digital materials and exploring new digital technologies.
• Engage with donors and prospective donors in alignment with the mission of the initiative.
• Foster collaborations across Wellesley College departments, including Development, Alumnae Affairs, and Library and Technology Services to enhance the archives' reach and impact.

More about the position

Inspired by other leading libraries, we aim to amplify the voices of trailblazing leaders, public intellectuals, scientists, educators, activists, and others, making the record of their contributions accessible to students, scholars, and the public worldwide in digital format. This effort embraces the complexity of history, sparking reflection, pride, and at times discomfort, because real history does all three.

This role will be at the forefront of creating a vibrant digital archive that illuminates the global impact of the College by showcasing the impact of our alumnae—past, present, and future—on the world. The ideal candidate will bring significant Archives and leadership experience, with a deep understanding of both traditional archival practices and the emerging field of born-digital archives. They will have a proven ability to lead institutional initiatives, as well as exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to engage effectively with alumnae, staff, and institutional stakeholders. This role requires someone with strategic vision, technical expertise, and a passion for preserving and amplifying the unique legacy of Wellesley College and its extraordinary alumnae.

Position Responsibilities:

• Lead new initiative to collect, preserve, and make accessible the papers of select Wellesley College alumnae in digital format
• Engage with donors and prospective donors to the digital archive.
• Foster collaborations across Wellesley College departments to enhance the archives’ reach and impact

Basic Qualifications:

• A graduate degree from an ALA-accredited library or archival science program, or its equivalent
• Five to ten years of experience working in an academic archive, with demonstrated managerial, curatorial, donor relations, and acquisitions experience.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer’s sponsorship now or in the future

Skills and Abilities:

• Proficiency in management software and standards in both traditional and emerging digital archival practices, including DACS, ERM, EAD, OAIS, and ArchivesSpace.
• Familiarity with new technologies, such as AI, and how they can enhance archival practices.
• Proven ability to lead, manage, and supervise archival professionals.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with experience engaging with students, faculty, alumnae, and departments such as Advancement and Alumnae Affairs.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-based environment, aligning initiatives with college priorities.

Flexibility & Schedule:

This position is based on our Wellesley campus. While the College supports hybrid work arrangements (typically 3 days on-site/2 days remote), this role requires an initial 90-day in-person period. Future hybrid eligibility is subject to review and formal approval based on performance and business needs.