While seemingly more unimportant nowadays, business titles within an organization can sometimes explain a person’s functional role, authority, seniority and/or pay grade.
I have blogged about a variety of DAM titles used within the Digital Asset Management field, like Digital Asset Specialist (DAS), Digital Asset Management Manager (DAMMmmmm), DAM Director (DAMD), DAM VP or the title I have at this time… Digital Asset Manager.
This is first line from an actual Digital Asset Management (DAM) job description posted this year. More on that later.
Aside from asking where to post and find DAM jobs, several people are asking what are typical DAM job descriptions. After presenting this information during a DAM Conference, here are parts of actual DAM job descriptions and knowledge shared by several DAM professionals on the job market today.
This is part of the equation that involves people along with process and technology for DAM.
While some people may use Digital Asset Management (DAM) sometimes within an organization, there is an increase in the need for people who may work full-time on DAM within an organization. We’ll explore several of these positions so you can have an idea of what some organizations have for talent and resources for those who do this type of work.
Here is a part of a job description for a Digital Asset Manager:
Responsible for leading overall strategy, implementation and workflow of the Digital Asset Management system for [organization]
Acts as primary liaison between [organization] and various photo studios with regard to image names, new photography and archiving
Responsible for assigning appropriate metadata for assets to ensure accurate usage rights
Manages the Digital Asset system and facilitate the uploading of assets as well as maintaining and upgrading the system
Registers internal and external users to the Digital Asset Management system based on permissions
Facilitates retrieval of previously cataloged images/shoots
Processes raw images using the appropriate software
Archive assets as necessary
Generates asset download reports
Maintains accurate procedures and records for the system
Keeps informed of latest Digital Asset Management technology trends and innovations
Other duties as identified and assigned
What are we looking for when filling the human resources gap with people needed to help manage your organization’s digital assets? There are no hard and fast rules, but rather guidelines. Any of these could be staff or contractual positions:
Temporary position (more on this in a future blog post)
Willingness to:
Learn about DAM
Work on metadata and taxonomy
Upload assets
Librarian
With Digital, not just analog (print/physical cataloging) experience
Metatagger (aka Metator, Cyberian)
Project Manager
Sales
Taxonomist
What we call the position (job title) is less important than what they actually do.
DAM professionals who communicate with management need to have an understanding of high level business needs and how DAM can meet those needs. Why? Because it is important to quantify:
Yes, Digital Asset Management is a business need, not just a technology or another database.
If you are looking to hire a DAM professional, such as Digital Asset Manager, have potential candidates include their answers to the following questions as part of the job application:
Have you worked with a Digital Asset Management System? Where? How long?
How much experience do you have creating Metadata Schema?
At a recent Digital Asset Management Conference, I was asked to present on the role of the Digital Asset Manager (what I do on a daily basis). This is not because I need to justify my position in this economy nor explain what I do aside from drink coffee all day, but rather to explain what it takes to:
Listen, learn and adapt to changes in the business needs of the organization
Promote, train and support all DAM users on a daily basis
Explain how we measure ROI with every project, collection and asset we add to the DAM
Simplify and unify across departments by sharing assets in DAM
Network and interview potential users of DAM to see what their business needs are (which are usually similar to everyone else’s needs in the organization)
Maintain metadata standards used within the organization
Review and test any configurations and/or customizations for the DAM
Be the biggest proponent, in-house advocate and expert in DAM for your organization
Make sure a DAM solution does not become another ‘shelf baby’ (i.e. another tool which an organization invested in, but did not get user adoption, so it is another waste of time/money because no one uses it)
Maintain an active registry of DAM users and needed permissions
In a previous post, we covered why you might need a DAM. So, your organization gets a DAM solution, it gets implemented for your organization and it is ready for regular operations. Now what?
Who is driving the progress of DAM?
Who is trackingprogress, measuringgrowth and addressing risks to report on a weekly/monthly basis for stakeholders?
Who will answer DAM questions and support DAM users?
What happens when something goes wrong?
Who is in charge of the DAM?
Who will fix it?
Who will be the adviser when to file a trouble ticket with the vendor versus what can be resolved in-house?
Who will create the trouble ticket when the time comes?
Who will follow up?
Who will train users and power users of the DAM? (Attrition happens)
Shall I go on?
Do you have a Digital Asset Manager?
Let us know when you are ready for consulting or assistance in finding Digital Asset Management professionals for your business.
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