Manager, Rights Clearance

Manager, Rights ClearanceApplication Deadline :

1 June 2025Department : CollectionsEmployment Type : Full TimeLocation : Stephen A. Schwarzman BuildingReporting To : Eric ShowsCompensation : $85,000 - $95,000 / yearDescriptionOverviewThe New York Public Library (NYPL) is one of the world's great public research libraries. Its research centers provide opportunities for engagement with in-depth and unique collections, inspirational reading rooms, exhibitions, programs, and a range of research services. Collections and Research Services encompasses several departments focused on managing the ongoing development of our exceptional research collections, advancing unified discovery and expanded access to our collections, both in-person and online, and ensuring stewardship of the collections at every stage of the collections lifecycle.We're seeking a highly motivated and experienced Rights Clearance Manager to ensure NYPL research materials are reviewed for access, exhibitions, publications, programming and document delivery. While this is not a legal position, the Rights Clearance Manager will work closely with the Library's Legal Department to seek guidance on complex rights issues and ensure compliance with relevant policies and laws. The manager will also support and advance strategic initiatives to expand and accelerate access to scholarly ebooks, and be a key contributor in the Library's project to update its digital asset management system. The successful candidate will thrive working across cross-functional teams and stakeholder groups in order to meet goals in a timely manner.We seek candidates that are eager to learn and grow, have a proven track record of supporting their teams for success, and are solutions focused.We are looking for someone we can count on to : Own : The end-to-end process of rights clearance for a wide range of materials including books, manuscripts, photographs, audio and moving image, and born-digital, collaborating with the Legal team as neededThe process to ensure all uses of copyrighted materials comply with current laws, regulations, and licensing agreements, particularly in the areas of fair use, public domain, and orphan worksA position as the main point of contact for internal teams and external partners, ensuring that rights clearance processes align with project timelines and goalsTeach : Webinars and meetings to inform staff about copyright law, fair use, and public domain issues in libraries, Guidance and mentorship to the rights team on rights clearance and intellectual property guidelines and best practicesLearn : About developments in copyright law in libraries, rights management, and best practices to ensure that NYPL's rights clearance processes remain current and compliantA deep understanding of the cultural and historical significance of materials in NYPL's collections to make informed decisions about rights clearance and usageImprove : Communication, dynamics, and collaboration across teams, departments, working groups, and stakeholdersThe rights clearance workflow, identifying and implementing opportunities to streamline and enhance efficiency and reduce turnaround times for project approvalsBy creating and maintaining comprehensive records of all clearance activities and agreements, improving transparency and institutional knowledgeSome expectations for this role are that within : 1 month, this person will : Begin to understand the scope of the NYPL's collections and intellectual property practices, their role in strategic initiatives related to digital asset management, and begin onboarding and training on internal systems and workflows related to rights clearanceMeet and form relationships with internal teams, including key collaborators in Legal, staff across the Research Libraries, Communications and Marketing, Begin handling straightforward rights clearance requests for existing and upcoming projects, with guidance from senior staff and the Legal team3 months, this person will : Continue the onboarding process, completing required trainings and meeting key staff partners Be a contributing member of committees, working groups and strategic planning efforts to align rights clearance strategies with larger institutional goalsBegin taking ownership of more complex rights clearance projects, including negotiating licenses, assisting with permissions orders, and larger digitization projectsGain an enhanced understanding of their team and workflows and implement improvements as needed 6 months and beyond, this person will : Develop a clear sense of the long-term roadmap for the role that rights clearance plays in access to the collections, and a broader understanding of their role in contributing to measures of success for the Library's strategic initiatives and goals Lead ongoing efforts to refine and optimize the rights clearance process Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with rights holders, licensing agencies, and internal stakeholdersResponsibilitiesResearches copyright issues associated with collections, including copyright status determinations, and offer internal guidance on copyright and other information policy issuesOversees the input and management of rights information in the Library's digital asset management system (DAMS), determining access levels for items and collectionsContributes to the development of an updated digitization strategy and related workflows, especially for rights clearanceManages the work of the Digitization Coordinators who support the digitization lifecycle by conducting copyright-related research and rights risk assessment Works closely with the Associate General Counsel to support the exhibition program by researching rights related to the exhibit of copyrighted materials, negotiating terms, royalties, and advances for exhibition publications, and prepare Licensing AgreementsOversees the research and permission negotiations with rightsholders for collection materials used by Communications and other departments for promotional materials, including review of licenses and caption approvalsNegotiates and secures releases and agreements with rightsholders for events, screenings, and public performances within the Research LibrariesReviews and enter rights information for digitization of public orders of images, books and manuscript material, and audio and moving image materialReports on department activities and metrics and manages departmental budgetManages, recruits, mentors, and retains a diverse and highly skilled professional staff and strengthens cross-departmental collaborationsRepresents the Library in rights clearance meetings and conferencesPerforms other duties as assignedRequired Education, Experience & SkillsRequired Education & CertificationsBachelor's degree requiredRequired Experience5+ years experience in rights clearance and licensing1-2 years of supervisory experienceKnowledge of and work experience in the area of copyright lawExperience in the licensing of digital assetsRequired SkillsDemonstrated ability to manage projects and teamsExcellent consulting, mediation and interpersonal skillsDemonstrated customer service excellenceExcellent organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills with proven success in independently prioritizing work, analyzing information and managing competing deadlinesExcellent written communication skillsFacility with entering information into databasesAptitude for learning new technologiesManagerial / Supervisory ResponsibilitiesManages and oversees the work of three full-time employees and additional temporary project staff as neededMore...Core ValuesAll team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values : Be Helpful to patrons and colleaguesBe Resourceful in solving problems Be Curious in all aspects of your workBe Welcoming and InclusiveWork EnvironmentDaily use of a computerOccasional work / travel between research centersPhysical DutiesN / APre-Placement Physical Required?NoUnion / Non Union Non-UnionFLSA StatusExemptSchedule9am to 5pm, Monday through FridayThis job description represents the types and levels of responsibilities that will be required of the position and shall not be construed as a declaration of all of the specific duties and responsibilities for the role. Job duties may change if Library priorities change. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description as needed.The New York Public Library Salary StatementAt the Library, we believe that pay transparency and pay equity are important to ensuring we source the best candidates and keep the best employees. When making a determination as to the appropriate salary for a candidate, we consider a variety of factors such, including, but not limited to, the position requirements, the skills, prior experience, and educational background required or preferred for the job, the scope and impact of the role within the organization, internal peer equity, and the candidate's specific training, experience, education level, and skills. No single factor is conclusive; the Library reserves the right to consider any and all relevant factors and make a decision consistent with its policies.Union Salaries are determined by collective bargaining agreement(s).