Manager, Vendor Digitization Services

The New York Public Library•New York, NY

6d•$85,000 - $95,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Manager, Vendor Digitization Services directs the end-to-end lifecycle of outsourced digitization projects for The New York Public Library’s Research Libraries. This role serves as the primary liaison between internal stakeholders and external service providers, establishing the logistical and administrative framework necessary to scale NYPL’s digital reformatting efforts through strategic outsourcing. The Manager oversees the large-scale reformatting of Audio and Moving Image (AMI) materials and diverse image-based collections, including microfilm, manuscripts, books, and specialized photographic formats. This position navigates complex vendor relationships and multi-year contracts, supervises a Media Preservation Coordinator (AMI), and ensures external deliverables meet the Library’s stringent technical and preservation standards. Ultimately, this position advances institutional digitization and access goals by delivering repository-ready assets for discovery, exhibition, and research, while fostering a collaborative, forward-looking, and service-oriented culture.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Library and Information Science, Museum Studies, or a related field with a focus on preservation or digital reformatting.
5+ years of professional experience in cultural heritage digitization or preservation, with a focus on project management.
Demonstrated experience managing external vendors and navigating complex procurement/contracting processes.
Prior experience managing project costs and large-scale budgets.
Proven experience in a supervisory or team lead role, ideally in a production or preservation environment.
Exceptional ability to manage multiple high-volume projects simultaneously, including budget tracking and timeline oversight.
Strong working knowledge of both AMI preservation standards (IASA, AES) and image digitization standards (FADGI, ISO).
Understanding of the risks and requirements associated with transporting rare, archival, and fine-art materials.
Familiarity with checksum validation, file packaging (BagIt), and metadata schemas used in digital preservation workflows.
Superior negotiation and interpersonal skills; ability to resolve technical or contractual disputes with external partners diplomatically.

Responsibilities

Act as the primary point of contact for external labs; manage RFPs, negotiate quotes, and ensure strict adherence to contract terms, deadlines, and technical specifications.
Lead, train, and evaluate the Media Preservation Coordinator; manage daily task assignments and performance goals.
Facilitate the secure movement of diverse and fragile collection materials; partner with internal stakeholders on transit protocols and maintain rigorous tracking for all assets throughout the vendor reformatting lifecycle.
Manage large-scale budgets for outsourced services; review and authorize vendor invoices and monitor spend against grant or institutional funds.
Establish and oversee QC benchmarks for all vendor deliverables (AMI and Image); resolve technical discrepancies and metadata errors.
Maintain comprehensive documentation for vendor workflows, asset tracking, and technical specifications.
Work closely with other teams (Collection Management, Conservation, Special Collections Processing) to ensure collection safety and project alignment with institutional priorities.
Maintain clear communication with department leadership and stakeholders about project progress.
Perform other related duties as assigned.