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Senior Metadata & Discovery Manager Bloomsbury Digital Resources

Bloomsbury Digital Resources is looking for a meticulous metadata expert to drive the visibility of our databases in library systems and online services, helping a global user base of academic researchers and students to find and use our content. Bloomsbury publishes a rapidly-expanding range of award-wining resources such as Drama Online, Bloomsbury Fashion Central, Bloomsbury Collections and Screen Studies, encompassing eBooks, play texts, videos, image libraries, article databases and more, making this a unique opportunity to find creative and innovative ways of allowing users to discover and connect with this diverse range of content.

You will need to be well versed in industry standards such as MARC, KBART and COUNTER, and actively keep up to date with the latest developments in the library discovery world. You will be hands-on, getting stuck into the detail of metadata, databases, systems and processes – but also a strong communicator, engaging with Bloomsbury colleagues, academic librarians and third-party suppliers to ensure our products are fully and optimally integrated with the relevant discovery channels. You should also have a curiosity and drive to understand the user journeys and workflows involved in academic discovery.

The position sits within the Product Management department of Bloomsbury Digital Resources, reporting to the Director of Product Management.

The role

Metadata & Discovery

  • Keeping abreast of the needs of the global library market, understanding the systems that our customers use for cataloguing, resource management and discovery, and ensuring that Bloomsbury’s content is fully interoperable with these systems
  • Overseeing the provision of metadata feeds to discovery service suppliers, working closely with the Content Architecture team
  • Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with providers of library discovery services, knowledge bases, search engines, link resolvers and acquisition tools, ensuring that the product information they hold is correct, up-to-date and complete, and reviewing how our content displays to end-users
  • Ownership of MARC record provision for all platforms, managing the relationship with cataloguing suppliers, co-ordinating the creation of MARC records and their distribution to customers and library intermediaries
  • Managing the supply of product metadata such as KBART files and titles lists to library customers, ensuring a consistent approach across all products
  • Co-ordinating the creation and registration of Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) and liaison with CrossRef, handling queries and issues that arise
  • Responding to customer queries and troubleshooting issues relating to metadata and discovery service integration across the product stream
  • Taking ownership of the provision of COUNTER-compliant usage statistics, liaising with customers, third-party developers and COUNTER project staff to ensure that all products deliver the appropriate reports, and are compliant with the latest standards
  • Reviewing, assessing and investigating potential discovery service and user engagement tools that Bloomsbury is not currently engaged with
  • Managing the metadata setup for the Bloomsbury Collections eBook platform, working with the Business Systems, Content Architecture and Editorial teams to ensure that title-level metadata is accurate and consistent and allows information to flow correctly to internal systems and external partners

Strategic Planning & Staff Development

  • Line management of Metadata & Discovery Assistant
  • Ensure consistency and best practice across the Product Management team in the area of metadata provision
  • Identify improvements to the team’s processes and workflows

Representation

  • Provide training and guidance for Sales and Digital teams on library systems and discovery services
  • Promote the Digital Resources team within the wider company, and demonstrate an aptitude for more managerial tasks
  • Represent the company externally, e.g. at meetings with partners, conferences, and presentations to customers
  • Channel feedback from the market by meeting end-users through library liaison, conferences or customer visits

Knowledge, skills and experience 

  • Understanding of the needs of the academic library market and familiarity with digital academic resources
  • Knowledge of library systems and relevant industry data standards, including MARC and KBART, and proficiency with editing MARC records
  • Minimum 5 years’ experience within an academic library or digital publishing context
  • Excellent implementation and time-management skills
  • An eye for detail and a logical, problem-solving approach
  • A proactive, “can-do” attitude
  • Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)

Additional information

This is a full-time, permanent position with a competitive salary based at our London office 50 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3DP on a mandatory working pattern of 2 days office based / 3 days home based (or fully office based if preferred).  Allocated office days for this role are Wednesdays and Thursdays.

As well as a fantastic opportunity to join a global award-winning organisation, Bloomsbury offers competitive benefits, generous staff discounts and flexible working arrangements.

Please apply with a CV and covering letter addressed to Human Resources (Word or PDF format only) detailing how you meet the requirements outlined above for this role by 30th September 2021.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK. 

The Company

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

Bloomsbury Publishing is a leading independent publishing house, established in 1986, with authors who have won the Nobel, Pulitzer and Booker Prizes, and is the originating publisher and custodian of the Harry Potter series. Bloomsbury has offices in London, New York, New Delhi, Oxford and Sydney. Within Bloomsbury’s Academic division, it publishes under Bloomsbury, as well as under a number of prestigious and historic imprint names. Read Our Story for how it all began. 

 Bloomsbury is committed to creating a working environment that stimulates creativity and collaboration, is respectful of difference, is inclusive and ethical in its practice, and promotes well-being. We are determined to nurture and develop our employees to reach their highest potential, and we know that our success is down to the passion, commitment and hard work of our talented people. We recognise the urgent need to attract and support applicants from all backgrounds and identities to become part of the global publishing industry, allowing diverse voices to reflect and shape our culture and society.

Please read more on our Missions and Values here.

Please read our environmental policy here.

Senior Metadata & Discovery Manager Bloomsbury Digital Resources

Full-time, Permanent
Publisher
Administration, Publishing, Training, Management, Communications, Data, Business Development, Product Management, Analytics, Digital
Reference: 
Senior Metadata & Discovery Manager Bloomsbury Digital Resources
Salary description: 
Competitive

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Minimum 5 years’ experience within an academic library or digital publishing context