Digital Asset Management Lead

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 63,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is seeking a Digital Asset Management Lead to guide a team responsible for the preservation, access, and value-addition of over 1.5 million assets. You will design scalable workflows and align DAM initiatives with enterprise needs across groups.

The role requires senior leadership, strategic thinking, and deep knowledge of archival standards. You will collaborate closely with leadership and support a culture of teamwork while ensuring

Qualifications

• MLS/MLIS or equivalent advanced degree.
• 8+ years in digital archives, archives, or digital asset management.
• Experience with archival description standards (DACS, ISAAD-G, EAC-CPF, OAIS, METS).
• Knowledge of legacy and modern media formats including photo/video/audio/graphics.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of asset management specialists.
• Oversee digital curation, preservation, and archiving for present and future use.
• Manage workflows for access, processing, cataloging, digitization and preservation.
• Collaborate with Lab leadership and other sections to maximize impact of digital asset management.
• Drive strategic initiatives and ensure sustainable changes across operations.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

People management

Cross-team collaboration

Project management

Discretion

Security clearance

Education

ALA-accredited MLS/MLIS/MIS or other advanced degree

Tools

CatDV

Job description

Description

Do you get excited about preserving visual media collections?

Are you a leader in the field of digital archives and digital asset management?

Do you enjoy collaborating with people from different backgrounds and across organizational groups?

Do you feel energized designing and implementing innovative solutions to complex access and preservation challenges?

Can you balance fast-paced communications projects and long-term, multi-year archival projects?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.

COMM is looking for someone to lead our Digital Asset Management section. This section strives to provide persistent access to and the preservation of APL's analog and digital media archival collections. We’re looking for a visionary leader to support the digital asset management of an enterprise service department with more than 1.5 million digital assets. You will be expected to use expert knowledge and industry-standard practices to build scalable processes that support interoperable workflows, applications, and systems.

As a Digital Asset Management Lead...

• Develop, manage and lead a team of asset management specialists.
• Be responsible for digital curation selection, preservation, maintenance, collection, and archiving of digital assets for present and future use.
• Lead all aspects of the digital asset management operational competencies, both planning and implementing projects to create, select, maintain, preserve, provide access to, and add value to digital resources across a variety of disciplines and formats.
• Work closely with other section supervisors in the group, as well as leadership across the Lab, to maximize the impact to the organization with digital asset management and to create and sustain a culture of teamwork and cross-enterprise collaboration.
• Engage in the execution of strategy for the Lab’s communications and the Communications Department.
• Report to the Multimedia Production and Operations Group supervisor.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• An ALA-accredited MLS/MLIS, MIS, or other relevant, advanced degree.
• More than 8 years of experience working in one or more of the following areas: digital archives; library services with a concentration in archives, special collections, or systems; and digital asset management with a solid understanding of digital preservation concepts and standards.
• Expert knowledge relating to archival standards for description and digital preservation including DACS, ISAAD-G, EAC-CPF, OAIS, METS, etc.
• Knowledge of best practices in archiving analog and digital special media collections including photo, graphic, audio, video, and motion picture film formats.
• Demonstrated experience designing, documenting, and implementing archival workflows including metadata management, processing/cataloguing, access, digitization, and preservation functions.
• Experience fostering relationships and collaborating across disparate teams.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated success in leading and managing people.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and lead change, working in a practical manner to ensure that changes to operational work are sustainable.
• Outstanding leadership attributes, including the ability to motivate, inspire, mentor, and develop people.
• Demonstrated ability to set direction and implement plans to achieve goals and build capabilities, including the pursuit of new initiatives.
• Experience contributing to and leading multiple, concurrent projects, of varying sizes and urgency, involving multiple stakeholders.
• Unquestionable integrity and track record of excellent judgment and discretion.
• Comfort using Mac and PC systems.
• Are able to obtain Secret level security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Practical experience managing analog and digital media collections including photos, video, audio, graphics, and web content.
• Experience working alongside and supporting a production environment.
• Experience managing large scale migration projects.
• Familiarity with media asset management systems, like CatDV, and worker node automations.

About Us

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact [e-mail].

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Minimum Rate

$62,900 Annually

Maximum Rate

$180,300 Annually