Head, Collection Imaging & Media Services [The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO]

Description

Purpose

The Head, Collection Imaging & Media Services is responsible for the management and strategic direction of the museum’s Media Services department which includes imaging services and digital asset management.

This position ensures high-quality imaging and digital representations of the museum’s collection in various forms including; photography, photogrammetry, videography, scanning, 3D capture and Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) to internal and external consumers and oversees the Digital Asset Manager System (DAMS), Rights & Reproduction function and digital archive both on-line and on archival media.

Accountabilities

Digital Creation

Manage the creation of digitized representations of the collection, working closely with stakeholders from other departments (Curatorial, Education, Marketing, etc.) as well as external contractors, designers and developers.

Media Services Management

Manage the functions of the Department; workflows, staff, space utilization, supplies, capital and operating budgets

Supervision & Staff Development

Supervise the activity and development of a staff. Assist in interviewing, hiring, and training; plan, assign, and direct work; appraise performance; reward and discipline employees; address complaints and resolve problems of assigned staff, interns and contracted vendors.

Scheduling

Manage and implement the weekly digitization/imaging schedule in collaboration with the Photo/Videographers, Senior Coordinator and Preparations Department.

Quality Control

Identify, evaluate, and provide Quality Control procedures for all digital reproductions in order to ensure accuracy and fidelity to the original object as well as essential digital file metadata. Ensure output meets Museum style, tone, site and brand standards.

Digital Asset Management

Provide oversight responsibility for the DAMS and coordinate with other throughout the institution for consistent application of metadata standards.

Photography/Videography

Perform object, portrait, architectural, technical or event photography/videography as needed. Formulate policies for centralizing photography/videography in the institution.

Photogrammetry, 3D capture and RTI

Use the latest techniques, gear and software to capture multi-dimensional and alternative digital effects that allow for enhanced or scientific exploration of the collection.

Budget/Fiscal Management

Responsible for appropriate fiscal management of all related budgets including capital, project and labor.

Scope

$40,000 annual budget

35,000 + objects in the Collection

300+ Imaging Projects per year

2-4 Interns per year

25+ Videos shot per year

10-30 3D/RTI projects per year

Organization

Reports to the Chief Information Officer and has a lead photo/videographer, Rights & Reproduction Specialist, and Department Coordinator as direct reports. Will also periodically coordinate and manage contractors as needed.

Challenges and Opportunities

The position is challenged by the constant need to deliver the highest quality results with fast turnaround times. Responsibilities of maintaining the technical variables of the digitization workflow and the accuracy and consistency of the DAMS.  As a member of the museum’s management staff, this position must be able to build and steward collaborative relationships with other staff across multiple divisions in order to achieve positive and productive outcomes.

Requirements

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in photography required; or combination of education and equivalent photographic experience. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of four years’ professional digital studio or photographic digital lab experience, with three years in a museum or cultural institution setting. Videography experience a plus.
• Previous supervisory experience with the ability to manage and develop staff performance including writing and performing performance appraisals and progressive discipline.
• Expertise with digital applications including proper object lighting techniques, direct image capture, raw image processing, and photo manipulation.
• Experience with Extensis Portfolio image database a plus.
• Experience with advanced 3D, photogrammetry and RTI imaging a plus.
• Expert level experience with Adobe Creative Suite
• Expertise in the application of sophisticated color management techniques, use of FADGI guidelines and ICC profiles as applied to cameras, monitors and inkjet printers.
• Experience in the archiving and storage issues of large digital files.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to details.
• Ability to be flexible and manage multiple and sometimes competing deadlines.
• Good communication skills with the ability to communicate effective in person and in writing.
• Ability to work as part of a team and individually.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the Head, Media Services is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell.  They must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, and good color vision.