By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.
Why join Harvard Law School?
Join a community that combines excellence in legal education and scholarship with a deep commitment to justice. Here at Harvard Law School (HLS), you’ll find an environment that values who you are and encourages you to grow, inspire others, and make a meaningful impact. Wherever you are in your career journey, HLS is a place where you can thrive, contribute, and be part of something bigger.
Job Description
In collaboration with partners throughout Harvard Law School (HLS) and across Harvard University, the HLS Communications Office shares the excellence of Harvard Law School’s teaching, scholarship, leadership, service, and impact by producing, hosting, and distributing high-quality content that vividly illustrates for both internal and external audiences the story of HLS and its faculty, students, and alumni.
The Communications Office is seeking a highly skilled Digital Asset Manager to oversee the acquisition, cataloging, curation, and distribution of a rapidly growing archive of photographs and videos, and to help lead the office’s digital asset management strategy and vision. The Digital Asset Manager is someone who is naturally collegial, motivated, and a self-starter.
As Digital Asset Manager, you will:
- Work closely with the multimedia producer, oversee the implementation of efficient and effective workflow processes and policies for the acquisition, ingestion, and cataloging of photo assets and video asset records into the Harvard Law School’s digital asset management system, which holds 350,000 photo and multimedia assets. Expected to grow exponentially at a rate of more than 12,000 assets each year.
- Establish and ensure compliance with metadata standards (including controlled vocabularies, naming conventions, and tagging protocols) to improve the discoverability and searchability of digital assets.
- Provide photo assets with relevant metadata, including filenames, keywords, description, subject IDs, and copyright information, to optimize findability and usability of assets.
- Establish and enforce file naming conventions; manage/standardize keywords and descriptions.
- Oversee the accuracy of legacy metadata and work to record and address errors and inconsistencies throughout the database.
- Oversee the implementation of digital finding aid record protocols for the school’s video¿assets and identify how best to include video records in the HLS digital asset management platform.
- Develop and maintain procedures for accessing and retrieving digital assets, ensuring timely and efficient access for authorized users.
- Provide support and training to users of the school’s digital asset management tool and create training videos as needed.
- Troubleshoot technical issues working with the law school’s digital asset management platform, PhotoShelter Brands, and with Harvard Law School Information Technology Services.
- Manage larger-scale archival photo-related requests and projects.
- Document in a digital user manual all procedures, protocols, and special instructions related to the digital asset management system.
- Serve as a liaison to the Harvard Law School Library Special Collections staff to coordinate special image requests. Work with HLS Library to develop long-term plans for shared use of the collection.
- Assist with the development of long- and short-term digital asset management strategy and vision for the school.
- Oversee the licensing, and rights management of the digital library, verify and document usage rights, licensing terms, and copyright permissions for all image/video assets, and serve as the primary point of contact for internal teams and external vendors regarding licensing and usage.
- Assist with photographer contracts for current shoots and rights managed shoots to ensure that photographer usage rights are captured in the digital asset management system.
- Lead the integration of the asset management system’s transition into editorial and marketing efforts.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Five or more years of experience in library science, digital asset management, or a related field.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
We are looking for people who have:
- Experience in digital asset management, archival practices, or information governance.
- Strong understanding of metadata standards, taxonomy, and digital asset management best practices
- Proficiency in digital asset management tools and systems, digital asset management platforms such as PhotoShelter Brands, content management systems (CMS), and archival systems.
- Knowledge of regulatory requirements and best practices related to digital asset management, copyright, and intellectual property rights.
- Demonstrated visual literacy skills with creative sensibility for photo editing, design, and composition. Proficiency with Photoshop.
- Familiarity with digital preservation best practices and archival standards.
- Knowledge of emerging trends and technologies in digital asset management and information governance.
Additional Information
Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week; Full-Time, M-F. May be required to work nights and weekends
Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
Other Information:
All offers are made by HLS Human Resources.
#LI-MH1
Work Format Details
This is a position that is based at a Harvard campus location with some remote work options available. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
Salary Grade and Ranges
This position is salary grade level 056. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.
Benefits
Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
- Generous paid time off including parental leave
- Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
- Retirement plans with university contributions
- Wellbeing and mental health resources
- Support for families and caregivers
- Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
- Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks
Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.
EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement
Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.
Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.