Digital News Archive Manager

RFE/RL's mission is to promote democratic values by providing accurate, uncensored news and open debate in countries where a free press is threatened and disinformation is pervasive. RFE/RL reports the facts, undaunted by pressure.

RFE/RL is seeking a Digital News Archive Department Manager who believes in the mission of RFE/RL and the impact of high quality media files and assets cataloguing. In this role you will be responsible for overseeing the design, development, and maintenance of daily and archived news content, including video, audio, music, text, and photo files within the Media Asset Management system (MAM) of our Dalet News Production System (NPS).

This management role involves hiring, training, and overseeing staff in Prague and multiple locations around the world. The manager must also ensure timely responses to requests for multimedia assets to support our journalists’ news reporting. Additionally, the manager will establish and maintain industry-leading metadata standards for the MAM database and provide leadership to the department.

You are expected to work in RFE/RL Prague’s office in a hybrid working model of a blend of in-office and remote work in the Czech Republic.

What you’ll accomplish:

• Develop internal procedures for building, organizing, and accessing video and multimedia files in the MAM for RFE/RL headquarters in Prague and the bureaus.

• Collaborate inside RFE/RL and with other outside organizations to create a control vocabulary across multiple languages and scripts.

• Manage an international team of librarians and media managers, including scheduling shifts, monitoring work, and providing performance feedback.

• Recruit and hire Archive Unit staff as needed.

• Design strategies for short and long-term storage of video files and RFE/RL video programs, as well as efficient deployment of the team’s human resources.

• Monitor, edit, maintain, and correct metadata in the MAM database.

• Stay informed on legal copyright issues and monitor RFE/RL video for potential copyright violations and keep management informed on all relevant issues.

• Conduct research and compile information in response to specific information requests.

• Assist and train users in accessing electronic databases and archives for research and information retrieval.

• Establish strong relationships with RFE/RL journalists, considering them as customers.

• Stay updated on news events in target areas.

Your Department Manager Duties:

• Provide leadership, mentorship, and guidance to department staff to foster a positive and productive work environment.

• Develop and implement department goals, strategies, and policies in collaboration with senior management.

• Oversee budget and resource allocation for the department, ensuring optimal use of available resources.

• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, industry standards, and legal requirements.

• Participate in the recruitment, selection, and onboarding of new employees.

• Conduct performance evaluations, provide constructive feedback, and identify opportunities for staff development.

• Foster a culture of innovation, creativity, and continuous improvement within the department.

What you bring:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in library science, information science, or related field. Journalism education is desirable.

• 5-8 years of experience in information services.

• Minimum of 3 years' experience with electronic resource metadata.

• Experience in a video/digital news gathering operation.

• Understanding of newsroom systems and familiarity with all aspect of news production, including media asset management systems (MAM).

• Basic video editing skills.

• Ability to work under deadline pressure.

• Strong management, team leadership, communication, and conflict resolution skills.

• Problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.

• Quick adaptation to new complex subjects, including new technologies.

• Ability to work independently and accept supervision.

• Basic administrative skills (e.g., operating a personal computer, completing forms, and reports).

• Understanding and meeting internal or external customer needs in a helpful manner.

• Flexibility to work different hours.

• Languages:

• Native-level English proficiency.

• Russian language skills and/or language skills from our coverage area are desired.