Job Summary
All staff positions at Harvard University Press exist to further the mission of the Press: to be a worldwide publisher of works of the highest quality and enduring value, consistent with the standards and values of one of the world’s greatest universities, and to do so in a fiscally responsible manner, while nurturing the growth, development, and job satisfaction of Press staff. Reporting to the Sales Director, the Metadata Associate is responsible for Harvard University Press’s metadata management, including the quality and accuracy of the end-to-end metadata process, special initiatives, and coordinating ONIX feeds.
Position Description
The Metadata Associate is responsible for the accurate and timely flow of title metadata to our distributor systems, Edelweiss, and all retail and wholesale accounts.
Metadata Management (30%)
- Work collaboratively across the press to meet all metadata industry standards and account requirements, including changes to BISAC codes, ensuring the best possible sales outcome.
- Partner with sales, publicity and marketing teams to update metadata in response to media attention, author events, and sales and marketing efforts.
- Initiate process changes that improve title searchability and enhance online presentation.
- Establish a validation process internally and with our distributor to ensure accuracy.
- Launch a process for optimizing backlist metadata, revising outdated descriptive copy and adding reviews, to improve sales results.
- Pursue industry best practices in all areas where continued knowledge and expertise are expected. Suggest and implement improvements in a timely manner.
- Assess new and current vendors for functionality, process improvement, and value.
Biblio Suite (25%)
- Responsible for title record upkeep, accuracy, updating, and integrity.
- Coordinate new title setup with key stakeholders. Input and update data in select Biblio modules to ensure accuracy.
- Identify errors and glitches and address accordingly.
- Stay abreast of Biblio updates and offerings.
- Occasionally run sales reports out of Biblio as requested.
Onix and Cover Uploads (25%)
- Finalize titles and execute product data feeds via ONIX.
- Manage cover and interior art uploads with correct formatting and timeliness.
- Perform frequent quality control checks and exception reporting.
Edelweiss (20%)
- Coordinate seasonal, series, and category Edelweiss catalogs. Populate and update all fields, including cover images, quotes and reviews.
- Upload DRCs and manage bookseller approval process.
Basic Qualifications
Candidates MUST meet the following basic qualifications to be considered for this role:
- Minimum 2 years of direct metadata experience as an individual contributor.
- Thorough understanding of metadata industry standards, Biblio Suite and ONIX data feeds.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
- Confident, reliable, and a clear communicator.
- Enjoys working collaboratively to improve and achieve sales goals.
- Ability to work closely with IT, editorial, sales, and operations teams to ensure title data is complete and accurate throughout the publishing process.
- Commercially focused, with relevant experience and solid skills in ONIX and metadata management, ideally in both Academic and Trade Publishing settings.
- Complete understanding of how product data is used throughout the supply chain.
- Strong excel and reporting skills. Analytical approach to problem-solving.
- The aptitude and drive to seek automated solutions and deploy new technology to strengthen process and improve efficiency.
- Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to work with a wide variety of people and projects simultaneously, often under pressure.
- College degree preferred.