Rights and Permissions Manager

University of British Columbia • Vancouver, BC

8d • CA$6,748 - CA$9,701 • Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for the efficient operation of UBC Rights and Permissions service and the management and direct supervision of Rights and Permissions staff. This includes third-party copyright clearance activities, development and maintenance of policies and procedures to guide daily operations, budget forecasting and development, and responsibility for human resources matters for all Rights and Permissions staff.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
• Minimum of three years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with management, preferably in a unionized environment within a large, complex organization.
• Experience related to Rights and Permissions, or Copyright in general, an asset.
• Experience in UBC LMS ecosystem, course development or publishing an asset.
• Knowledge of copyright laws and practices, both in the US and Canada, in relation to non-profit and /or education organizations.
• Familiarity with Data Sovereignty, including Indigenous Data Sovereignty.
• Effective oral and written communication, organizational & analytical skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing at an advanced level.
• Advanced research and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to create smooth and easily understood workflows, complex spread sheets, analyse difficult data, and finds solutions to effectively resolve challenges.
• Knowledge of management tracking system is an asset.
• Knowledge of database structure and design is an asset.
• Ability to conduct needs analyses, plan, organize, manage, monitor, complete and evaluate projects within allocated time and resources.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships with staff and external clients (e.g. publishers, authors, literary agents, licensing specialists, librarians, etc.).
• Ability to exercise sound judgement, tact and diplomacy in complex situations.
• Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to details.
• Demonstrated leadership, management and supervisory experience, preferably in a unionized environment.
• Ability to effectively recruit, train, supervise, mentor, and motivate staff and students.
• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, Teams), Adobe Acrobat Pro, Abbyy Fine Reader.
• Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet tight deadlines and resolve problems.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Manages the efficient operation of UBC Rights and Permissions Services and staff including hiring, training, development/mentoring, conducting performance evaluations, discipline and termination. Manages workflow and ensures quality and consistency of work.
• Works closely with the Head to establish short and long term goals for the unit and determine financial and human resources needs, plan and assess staffing (including restructuring as needed) and service delivery, develop and implements goals and objectives.
• Investigates, develops and implements changes to enable the unit to work efficiently, address shortfalls and meet tight deadlines and new and emerging needs.
• Ensures that third-party copyright clearance is completed for UBC Vancouver and Okanagan. Completes agreements with publishers for material usages, negotiates terms and fees, provides consultation and responds to queries related to Rights and Permissions policies and practices to UBC Faculty, students and staff.
• Establishes processes and procedures for the efficient functioning of the Rights and Permissions Service, works with other divisions to improve processes; contributes to process improvements for the Rights and Permissions database and associated informational websites (e.g., library course reserve page); constructs digital forms that directly integrate with relevant databases.
• Writes, develops and implements relevant policies and procedures in consultation with the Head and AUL, and oversees maintenance of procedures and the office manual. Advises staff on changes to procedures and delivers training.
• Initiates and participates in relevant software-related processes (ie procurement, requirements development, customization) with Library IT,TDUX and vendors as necessary; tests software enhancement and upgrades and integration with LMS.
• Manages Rights and Permissions Service operations including: clearance of third-party copyright for UBC courses; clearance of third-party copyright under relevant copyright collectives, preparation of various reports; tracking the clearance status of documents and extension requests for copyright permissions; identifies copyright and renewal requirements as per policy and practices; maintenance of the databases records. Responsible for keeping annual copyright expenditures within budget. Manages the operating budget, prepares variety of financial reports for AUL, submits financial forecast for licences each fiscal year. Establishes and maintains positive relationships with rightsholders (publishers, authors,, literary estates) and licensing consortia regarding day-to-day administrative operational functions (i.e., copyright compliance); Works closely with Library Finances and Accounts Payable to ensure proper setup of vendors’ accounts in UBC system and timely payment of rightsholders and vendors.
• Liaises across UBC in support of routine inquiries regarding rights and permissions for use of works.
• Documents best practices, policies and procedures, and trains staff in accordance with current relevant copyright laws. Shares policies and procedures with Library reserves staff on both Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.
• Creates reports based on predefined metrics for the Head & AUL.
• Maintains currency in Canadian copyright law, especially in the area of digital rights, as well as developments in other area of law and relevant publishing issues.
• Informs the Head, Digital Programs & Services and/or other relevant stakeholders when an issue has been identified.
• Performs other related duties.

Benefits

• The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position.
• The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position.
• In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.
• UBC supports inspired students, faculty and staff on their journey of discovery, and challenges them to realize their greatest potential.
• New ideas, changing infrastructure, innovative technology, and fresh approaches are opening up possibilities for the future of research, teaching, and work.
• Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence.
• An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged.
• We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, and/or Indigenous person.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level