Specialist, Digital Asset Management

How You’ll Contribute

The Storytelling team at National Geographic Society works to expand the organization’s impact through journalism, photography, film/video, web content, mapping, and data visualization. As one of the largest funders to individual storytellers in this work, it also identifies key grantmaking and programmatic opportunities with creative talent. Much of the team's activity is focused on identifying and building capacity for the next generation of diverse storytellers.

Reporting to the Manager, Digital Asset Management, the Specialist, Digital Asset Management is primarily responsible for the ingest, curation, and elevation of a high-volume pipeline of photos and videos created by research, conservation, storytelling, and education grantees, as well as other Society funded Programs. This role coordinates the submission of grantee media assets while providing quality assurance of required legal documentation and metadata. Responsibilities include leading the creation of accurate and precise keywording standards using departmentally specific and dynamic taxonomies, promoting noteworthy media for wider use across the Society and its Partners, and researching rights and clearance information. The Specialist provides final quality assurance of photos and videos before submitting assets into the Society's archive and maintaining media asset information in the grants database.

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include

• Catalog all grantee and other Society funded Program photos and videos, attaching correct metadata and ensuring legal rights compliance (35%)
• Lead in the creation of cataloging standards for media assets (15%)
• Collaborate with content teams to promote media assets on the Society and its Partners platforms, including responding to internal requests for specific photo assets and researching the DAM for broader photo requests (20%)
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures for finalizing grants media requirements and update media asset information in the grants database (10%)
• Follow up with grantees and content teams to ensure completion of grants media requirements (10%)
• Help assist with onboarding and training new staff, specifically interns and potential incoming coordinators (5%)
• Liaise, when needed, with media partners to collect and catalog media assets (5%)

Educational Background

Bachelor's degree in Library & Information Science or a related field. Advanced knowledge of Digital Photography preferred.

Minimum Years And Types Of Experience

3+ years of video and/or photography experience, including cataloging media.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Strong research, communication, and organizational skills
• Attention to detail and ability to understand and prioritize multiple requests from different stakeholders across the Society and its Partners
• Must be a self-guided, creative, highly organized, and motivated individual
• Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to work through problem-solving on a growing team
• Basic understanding of legal and rights terminology
• Must be capable of exercising flexibility, multitasking, and working effectively with others on tight deadlines

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of metadata standards and experience in library and archives settings a plus
• Knowledge of Adobe Suite a plus

Supervision

No direct reports.

Salary Information

The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations.

The salary range for this position accounts for a wide range of factors including but not limited to organizational need; specific skill sets; experience and training; certifications; and more. At the National Geographic Society, individuals are typically hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The salary range for this position is $58,900.00 - $62,000.00.

In addition, the National Geographic Society offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; engaging and comprehensive wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment; flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31 (May not apply to all roles that are required to work during high volume seasons or essential workers. Please check with the hiring manager for confirmation.); paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance and insurance; pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy; employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.

Job Designation

Hybrid - At the Society, we believe in the advantages of coming together to build community, mentor and learn from colleagues, and connect more deeply with our mission. As a result, the majority of our staff are Hybrid. Our Hybrid category requires that staff work at Base Camp two days each week: every Tuesday and Wednesday. Hybrid staff are also always welcome to come in additional days each week if preferred.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.

Key skills/competency

• Digital Asset Management
• Metadata Management
• Content Cataloging
• Media Rights Compliance
• Photography & Video Curation
• Taxonomy Development
• Quality Assurance
• Grant Program Support
• Stakeholder Communication
• Archival Practices