Media Asset Manager

Primedia Recruiter; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading media management company in Johannesburg is seeking a Media Asset Manager to lead the management of digital media assets. You will be responsible for overseeing the design and implementation of media systems, ensuring compliance with standards, and managing both internal and external stakeholder engagement. A minimum of 10 years' experience in media operations is required, along with relevant qualifications. This role offers a chance to shape media workflows and leverage automation for efficiency.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in media operations.
• Experience in setting up and managing OTT platforms.
• Strong understanding of content workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic design and implementation of digital media asset infrastructure.
• Oversee the ingest, storage, retrieval, and distribution of media content.
• Manage vendor relationships and ensure infrastructure readiness.

Skills

Media Asset Management

Project Management

Digital Asset Management

Technical Proficiency in Video Editing

Communication Skills

Education

Diploma in Media Studies

Bachelor's degree in Media Production or related field

Tools

AWS

Aspera

SNS EVO

Dalet

Job description

Key performance areas

• The Media Asset Manager will lead the strategic design, implementation, and ongoing management of the organisation's digital media asset infrastructure. This includes overseeing the ingest, storage, retrieval, and distribution of media content across platforms. The role is pivotal in ensuring content integrity, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency. The incumbent will be responsible for setting up systems from the ground up, managing cross-functional projects, and ensuring long-term scalability and innovation in media operations.
• System Setup and Project Management: Lead the implementation of media asset management systems and workflows. Define standard operating procedures (SOPs), manage vendor relationships, and ensure infrastructure readiness. Oversee migration of media assets into the media asset management systems, including current content (audio, video, stills and related campaign open files) and Primedia’s historic audio (radio) and video content.
• Digital Asset Management: Oversee the ingest, metadata tagging, cataloguing, distribution / transfer, retrieval and archiving of digital assets. Ensure secure and efficient file transfer workflows using tools like Aspera, Signiant, and AWS. Define metadata standards and asset naming conventions. Establish retention and lifecycle management policies for digital assets (active, archive, purge). Manage access permissions, version control, and secure sharing of content. Document processes, workflows, and system usage guidelines. Manage storage usage and coordinate capacity planning, archive, and backup strategies. Leverage automation to enhance workflow processes. Identify and mitigate risks related to media loss, and data corruption.
• Quality Control and Compliance: Conduct technical evaluations of media content. Ensure compliance with internal and external delivery standards for content quality, classification, and scheduling, including regulators, associations and 3rd party platforms. Ensure that ownership rights are tracked to facilitate legal usage of material. Develop and enforce processes for ingest quality control, transcoding, and delivery of assets.
• Operational Maintenance: Maintain and optimise media systems. Troubleshoot issues, monitor system performance, storage capacity and implement continuous improvements.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with internal departments and external partners. Provide training and support to ensure effective use of media systems. Understand content workflows and integrate with those workflows to achieve maximum benefit for creators and publishers of content, especially Primedia+, EWN, and other Primedia platforms including social media.

Qualifications

• Minimum required qualification: Diploma in Media Studies or related field.
• Qualifications considered advantageous: Bachelor's degree or diploma in Media Production, Broadcast Technology, Digital Media, Information Systems, or a related field. Relevant certifications such as CompTIA A+, Digital Television & Broadcast Networks, or Playout Systems & Quality Control are advantageous.
• Minimum years of experience: Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in media operations, digital asset management, or broadcast environments. Demonstrated experience in setting up and managing OTT platforms, media workflows, and digital file systems. Advanced knowledge and understanding of ingest processes and systems such as digital video systems and file / conversion transcoding standards. Ability to troubleshoot and find solutions under pressure. Technical proficiency in video editing and file based workflows.
• Additional role requirements: Proven experience with Media Asset Management (MAM) systems such as SNS EVO, DALET or similar. Strong understanding of content workflows and content distribution. Proficiency in cloud storage (AWS, Azure, Wasabi), file transfer protocols (Aspera, Signiant), and LTO archiving. Familiarity with metadata standards (e.g., Dublin Core, MXF, DPP AS11) and digital rights management. Strong project management skills with the ability to lead cross-functional initiatives. Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Ability to evaluate and manage vendor relationships. Commitment to continuous improvement and staying current with industry trends. Strategic alignment with business goals and ability to scale systems for future growth. Ability to leverage automation, analytics to improve asset discovery, archiving, or compliance.
• EEO/Employment equity: Suitable candidates will be selected in accordance with Primedia Broadcasting’s Employment Equity Policy. Correspondence will only be conducted with shortlisted candidates. Should you not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.