Digital Asset Manager

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is seeking a creative, collaborative and highly organized person to oversee the entire lifecycle of digital image assets related to the Natural History Museum and La Brea Tar Pits for branding and marketing— from creation to archives. The ideal candidate is a hybrid with an eye for design and composition, combined with a passion for taxonomy, organization, and metadata. Responsibilities of the Digital Asset Manager include ingesting, organizing and preserving digital assets; administering Extensis Portfolio (our current DAMs); curating images for special projects; and scheduling and producing photo shoots. The Digital Asset Manager will also participate in the process of selecting a new DAMs software and take responsibility for preparing existing assets for migration. The position resides in the Creative Services Department.

Responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:

• Responsible for organization, accessibility, and preservation of digital assets for Marketing, allowing NHM Departments to find and access assets in a simple and efficient manner.

• Responsible for participating in the process of selecting a new Digital Asset Management software, including interviewing key stakeholders to determine needs, seeking and evaluating potential systems, and sending out RFPs. Responsible for preparing the existing data library for migration, and overseeing the migration process.

• System Administrator for Extensis Portfolio (current Digital Asset Management system), including managing users/permissions, planning for data storage needs, and troubleshooting.

• Receive digital assets directly from photographers and manage those assets by adhering to and maintaining digital naming conventions, file management, metadata, and quality control.

• Create governance, provide training, and produce documentation for future continuity in managing assets.

• Curate/select images for special projects with Creative Director as needed. Maintain an updated selection of the strongest images in our library.

• Assist with negotiation of image permissions, fees and licensing for images within our collection, as well as purchase or licensing of outside assets.

• Schedule, produce and execute photoshoots, with oversight of Creative Director. Manage photoshoot calendar in coordination with Editorial calendar to ensure assets are delivered on time.

• Partner and plan strategy (digital initiative) with Research and Collections Archivist working cross-org to develop workflows for asset ingestion, storage, and delivery to internal and external users, while creating efficiencies between departments.

This position has the following requirements:

• Advanced degree or equivalent. Minimum 5 years of proven leadership experience managing digital asset management systems. Experience with database management and data delivery specifications, workflows via web and API, metadata and taxonomy principles, and project management experience.

• Experience with the preservation and recording of physical assets for digital record keeping, disaster recovery and public usage (marketing, media, exhibits, licensing commerce)

• Advanced skills in database creation and management, and data storage methods and security

• Highly organized, analytical in thinking, and meticulous in maintaining information using detailed record-keeping systems and metadata.

• Experience and technical proficiency on both PC and Mac computer platforms

• Excellent analytical, communication (verbal and written), and interpersonal skills, including commitment to working effectively within a diverse staff population

• Excellent research skills

• Ability to manage projects and competing priorities with demonstrated ability to be flexible, to adapt to change, and to work successfully in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

• Ability to take initiative and creatively manage projects both independently and as part of a team

• Experience organizing and producing photo shoots, and curating selects

• Rights management experience, including understanding model usage restrictions, timing, and distribution.

This position has the following preferred skills:

• An eye for composition and quality in photography

• Basic photography skills such as lighting and composition

• Interest and ability in photography, both shooting and outputting files for production

• Advanced Photoshop and retouching skills

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is especially interested in candidates whose background and experience have prepared them to contribute to our commitment to engagement and inclusion at culturally diverse audiences in museum and in sciences.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is seeking applicants who have demonstrated experience and commitment working with a diverse community. Salary is commensurate with experience plus excellent benefits. This is a full time regular, non-exempt position.

A cover letter, current resume, and list of 3-4 references are required for all applicants. Review of applications begins immediately and continues until position is filled. Interested candidates please visit http://www.nhm.org/jobs and click the link of the position for which you are interested or go directly to the online application.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.