Description
The Lillian Goldman Law Library seeks a visionary and experienced leader for the role of Director of Data Services, Strategic Initiatives, and Communications. Reporting to the Law Librarian, this pivotal position is essential to shaping the future directions, visibility, and integration of the Law Library in support of the Law School and University mission. The Director of Data Services, Strategic Initiatives, and Communications, promotes the Law Library's efforts to provide active support to Law School faculty and students on research projects requiring statistical and data analysis, data manipulation, and visualization. The successful candidate will be a vital member of the Law Library leadership team, participating in shaping library policy, strategic initiatives and communications, and assisting with the planning, evaluation, assessment, and monitoring of quality Law Library programs and services.
Depending on professional background, the final candidate will be hired as a Director 2 (Grade 27) or as a Librarian 4 to 5. Librarian ranking information can be found at: http://bit.ly/YULRanksPromotions. Anticipated starting salary is $150,000. Position is available immediately and start date is negotiable.
Principal Responsibilities
Data Services Oversight:
1. Maintains an understanding of trends and developments in data services and information technology and contributes this expertise to planning for the future growth and development of the Law Library.
2. Provides strategic direction and oversight of the library’s efforts in providing consultative and active support to Law School faculty and students in research projects requiring statistical and data analysis, data manipulation, and visualization.
3. Oversees project-based empirical support and consultation services for Law School students and faculty researchers throughout the entire research lifecycle. Collaborates with the Law Library Technology and Scholarly & Research Services departments to coordinate the management of Law faculty empirical datasets and database projects.
4. Builds and maintains critical partnerships with campus constituencies including the StatLab, the Digital Humanities Lab, and the Yale Center for Research Computing.
5. Oversees the work of law library data consultants, other professional staff, research assistants, and interns. Develop and teach for-credit research courses, specialized workshops, and participate in the library’s faculty liaison librarian and collection development programs.
Strategic Initiatives & Communications:
6. In collaboration with senior leadership, monitors the execution of the Law Library's strategic plan, aligning it with the Law School and University's broader goals.
7. Shape resource allocation in partnership with senior leadership for strategic initiatives and data services, ensuring responsible resource allocation.
8. Coordinate planning, assessment, and reporting activities across library departments.
9. Analyze and evaluate library services, projects, or initiatives through regular assessments, including faculty and student surveys.
10. Develop and execute a comprehensive communication strategy, serving as the primary lead for media engagement and external messaging. Lead internal and external communications, including crafting compelling narratives, marketing initiatives, annual reports, and digital content including website and social media to promote library services, resources, and value. Translate library services and data initiatives into accessible, impactful messages.
11. Play a leading role in promoting the law library’s global outreach including Law Archive, a free global scholarship repository maintained by the Lillian Goldman Law Library in partnership with the Center for Open Science. In collaboration with the digital initiatives and technology departments, and in keeping with the library’s commitment to open access initiatives, develops and manages special projects to facilitate resource discovery and highlight collections.
Applications should be submitted on the Yale Careers page at https://bit.ly/3LZL9pW. Applications will be reviewed as received with a priority application deadline of December 5, 2025. Please contact Rachel Gordon, Director of Library Services, with questions about this position.
Requirements
Required Education and Experience
1. J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and/or a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science (MLS/MLIS) from an ALA-accredited program, or a related advanced degree and 8 years of professional experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. Three or more years of supervisory, leadership, and project management experience, with demonstrated success in promoting teamwork, collaboration, and support for professional growth. Demonstrated ability to teach credit bearing courses in a law school or similar academic setting.
Required Skills and Abilities
1. Demonstrated understanding of the empirical and data needs of the legal academic community. Knowledge of and interest in new and emerging technologies.
2. Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and institutional communications.
3. Strong service orientation; demonstrable teaching/training skills; excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
4. Strong organizational and project management skills. Demonstrated record of designing projects and bringing them to conclusion in a timely fashion. Ability to work collaboratively and independently with varied groups within a complex organization and dynamic team environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience working with empirical researchers and knowledge of current trends in legal technologies and data science. Proven ability to manage and/or provide significant oversight of data-intensive services or programs, including familiarity with statistical software, legal data sources, and data visualization Experience with website management (CMS) and marketing/communication platforms. A minimum of 3 years of increasingly responsible supervisory experience working in an academic or law library.
