Temporary Metadata Operations Assistant

Sourcebooks; Naperville (IL); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Prescription drug insurance

Dental

Vision

Health Care

Dependent Care

Flexible Spending Account

Health Savings Account 401(k)

Short and Long-Term Disability

Life/AD&D Insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Sourcebooks is seeking a detail-oriented Temporary Metadata Operations Assistant to support the Metadata team. You’ll help manage digital metadata, run routine tasks, and ensure product information is accurate across internal systems and partner platforms.

You’ll work with the Metadata Supervisor to track priorities, perform FileMaker tasks, and troubleshoot metadata issues while adapting to a fast-paced publishing environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred but not required.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy with repetitive data tasks.
• Proficient with Microsoft Excel; comfortable with databases and FileMaker.
• Ability to learn new systems quickly and work independently.
• Collaborative team player with good communication.
• Experience with data entry, metadata, or digital content is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day operational support to the Metadata Supervisor and team.
• Support digital metadata accuracy and timely delivery of information.
• Create, update, and maintain product metadata across systems.
• Manage routine metadata tasks including data entry and quality checks.
• Track tasks and deadlines to ensure on-time completion.
• Provide FileMaker support and basic troubleshooting.
• Collaborate with partners to resolve metadata issues.
• Document processes and assist with special projects as needed.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Time management

Microsoft Excel

FileMaker

Education

High school diploma

Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Databases

Job description

Sourcebooks is looking for a detail-oriented and highly organized Temporary Metadata Operations Assistant to join our Metadata team and help keep our day-to-day operations running smoothly. In this role, you’ll work closely with the Metadata Supervisor and other team members, with a particular focus on supporting digital metadata, managing routine metadata tasks, maintaining accurate and complete product information, and providing FileMaker and systems support as needed. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working with data, solving problems, learning new systems, and collaborating with others in a fast-paced environment.

The location for this position can be hybrid or remote in New York or Naperville, Illinois or remote based in any of the following states: Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin.

This is a temporary non-exempt hourly position at $22.00/hourly. This assignment will be approximately 60 days in duration. We determine starting pay based on a thorough evaluation of job-related factors, including geographic location, market conditions, relevant experience, training, and education. This process ensures a fair and competitive salary that aligns with both the company and the candidate’s qualifications.

What you’ll do:

• Provide day-to-day operational support to the Metadata Supervisor and broader Metadata team.
• Serve as a key support resource for digital metadata, ensuring information is accurate, complete, and delivered on schedule.
• Create, update, review, and maintain product metadata across internal systems and partner platforms as needed.
• Manage routine metadata tasks, including data entry, updates, quality checks, and data cleanup.
• Monitor metadata for accuracy and completeness, identifying and helping resolve discrepancies or missing information.
• Provide FileMaker support, including data entry, maintenance, reporting, and routine troubleshooting.
• Track assigned tasks, priorities, and deadlines to ensure work is completed accurately and on time.
• Assist with troubleshooting metadata and system-related issues, escalating more complex problems when appropriate.
• Collaborate with team members and internal partners to answer questions and resolve metadata issues.
• Provide additional coverage and support during periods of high volume or shifting team priorities.
• Assist with special projects and other metadata initiatives as assigned.
• Help document and maintain team processes and workflows to support consistency and efficiency.

What you bring:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor’s degree preferred but not required.
• Strong attention to detail with a demonstrated ability to maintain accuracy when working with data and repetitive tasks.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines.
• Comfortable working with computers, databases, spreadsheets, and other business systems.
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability and willingness to learn new systems, tools, and processes quickly.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to identify discrepancies and ask appropriate questions.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to follow established processes and instructions while working independently.
• Collaborative mindset and willingness to provide support across the team as priorities shift.
• Dependable, adaptable, and comfortable working in a deadline-driven environment.
• Previous experience with data entry, administrative support, databases, or digital content is a plus, but not required.
• Experience with publishing, metadata, audiobooks, or FileMaker is helpful, but not required.

Why Sourcebooks?

Sourcebooks is a thriving entrepreneurial publisher driven by our mission to change lives through books. The fifth-largest publisher in the U.S. by print units sold, we bring extraordinary authors to readers in dynamic, data-driven ways, leading to hundreds of national and international bestsellers. Our insight-driven approach has earned us recognition from Fast Company as a Most Innovative Company, a Best Workplace for Innovators, a Most Loved Workplace by Newsweek, a Best Workplace by Inc., and Publishers Weekly’s nod as “the most successful self-made publisher operating in the 21st century.” Story by story, book by book, we have changed more than 300 million lives. Join us as we change 300 million more!

Full-time employees are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program. Our range of benefits include, but are not limited to, Medical/Prescription drug insurance, Dental, Vision, Health Care, Dependent Care, Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account 401(k), Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance, Life/AD&D Insurance, & generous paid time off.

• Medical/Prescription drug insurance
• Dental
• Vision
• Health Care
• Dependent Care
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account 401(k)
• Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life/AD&D Insurance
• & generous paid time off.

Sourcebooks values the array of talents and perspectives that a diverse workforce brings. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status