Rights Manager

APPLY: https://famsf.snaphire.com/jobdetails?ajid=XSVT7

The Rights Manager plays key roles in managing rights to support the variety of programs of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and in working collaboratively to develop workflows related to copyright in the museums’ Digital Asset Management System (DAMS). The Rights Manager oversees the lifecycle of rights across multiple asset classes and museum departments. This includes still images, film/video, music, and audio for use in print, in our galleries, and online. The Rights Manager also fields requests from third parties to reproduce the museums’ digital assets. Working closely with internal clients, the Rights Manager negotiates permission from copyright holders to support the museums’ exhibitions and programs. Working collaboratively with the Director of Photo Services and Imaging, the Rights Manager provides recommendations for continued workflow improvements and helps to educate staff about copyright related subjects.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities:

  1. Participates in development and implementation of new Digital Asset Management System (DAMS).
  2. Maintains transparent systems for tracking copyright clearance and communicating related restrictions and permissions to staff while the new DAMS is being implemented.
  3. Works with various staff members to develop copyright clearance request workflows for DAMS.
  4. Gathers digital media from internal and external sources related to staff reproduction requests.
  5. Imports digital media into DAMS; assigning and updating copyright related metadata gathered from internal and external sources during ingestion; manages permissions and ensures the highest quality, approved asset is available for dissemination.
  6. Participates in copyright related metadata cleanup for existing assets.
  7. Creates and disseminates derivatives as needed until the new DAMS is functional.
  8. Consults with the Director of Photo Services and Imaging, the Publications Department, and others on copyright issues pertaining to media in DAMS. Stays up to date with Fair Use policies and best practices in the cultural heritage community.
  9. Processes copyright clearance requests from multiple departments; makes recommendations related to Fair Use and the reproduction of museum assets.
  10. Negotiates fees and licensing terms with copyright holders; researches copyright contact information and keeps this information updated in the DAMS.
  11. Helps edit copyright clearance language in exhibition agreements, artist agreements, and other contracts.
  12. Supports external clients by fielding and fulfilling image requests including negotiating licensing agreements and fees.
  13. Manages invoicing process related to external client and FAMSF reproduction/copyright requests.
  14. Assists with copyright data synchronizing between the CMS/DAMS, and the FAMSF website.
  15. Educates internal staff on FAMSF intellectual property policies and provides reference assistance; promotes internal use of the DAMS as a resource for copyright information and rights clearance requests.
  16. Performs other duties and responsibilities as requested.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:  Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Museum Studies, or Fine Arts. Course work or training in copyright/Fair Use assessment, photography, film, or audio a plus.

Work Experience: Three years of experience working with digital assets and/or rights and reproductions. Working in a museum or similar environment preferred. Substitution: Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science or Museum Studies for two years of work experience.

Skills and Abilities:

  • Basic understanding of metadata concepts as they relate to digital assets in cultural heritage institutions
  • Strong knowledge of intellectual property concepts and best practices as applied to cultural heritage institutions. Knowledge of music rights a plus.
  • Proficiency in standard office software (word processing, spreadsheets, web browsers, email, etc.). Working knowledge of the G Suite products, Asana, or Airtable a plus
  • Demonstrated experience with clearing usage rights for non-public domain artwork
  • Familiarity with image editing software (such as Adobe Photoshop and Bridge)
  • Demonstrated experience with enterprise level Collection Management and/or DAM systems (working knowledge of  Gallery Systems TMS Collections and/or Media Studio a plus)
  • Basic understanding of social media and other digital products (web sites/streaming) as they relate to copyright
  • Basic understanding of digital image fundamentals. Knowledge of video or audio fundamentals a plus.
  • Desire, willingness, and ability to learn new software
  • Excellent organizational skills with methodical attention to detail
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Proven ability to build and maintain positive working relationships
  • Proven ability to be proactive and independent
  • Proven ability to work successfully within tight deadlines
  • Proven ability to work with and be supportive of team environments

Additional:

COFAM is committed to advancing career opportunities for a diverse pool of qualified and capable talent, centering equity and inclusion across all aspects of our recruitment strategy.

Step 1 – Start of the pay range is $33.23 per hour.

This is a union position eligible for the Museums’ benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance plus a generous time off package.

Application Deadline: Friday, March 11, 2022

APPLY: https://famsf.snaphire.com/jobdetails?ajid=XSVT7

If you require an alternative method of completing this application please contact humanresources@famsf.org.

All new COFAM employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Please contact humanresources@famsf.org with any questions.

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COFAM is the Corporation of Fine Arts Museums and is the privately funded non-profit corporation which supports the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, a department of the City and County of San Francisco.

COFAM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in all phases of employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Comprising the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park, we are the largest public arts institution in the City of San Francisco and one of the largest art museums in the United States. The de Young, designed by Herzog & de Meuron and located in Golden Gate Park, showcases American art from the 17th through the 21st centuries, international contemporary art, textiles and costumes, and art from the Americas, the Pacific, and Africa. The Legion of Honor displays a collection of over 4,000 years of ancient and European art including Auguste Rodin’s The Thinker and houses the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts in a Beaux-Arts style building overlooking Lincoln Park and the Golden Gate Bridge.