Manager, Indexing & Cataloging Services, Gale, Multiple Locations

At Cengage, we are harnessing the power of tech to build a future where all learners have the tools and confidence to achieve their goals.

As a Cengage employee, you will pioneer transforming the way people learn. Collaborating with the best of the best, you will feel challenged and inspired to do breakthrough work. With the support of our united team, there is no limit to what you can imagine, create and set in motion.

We bring our “A” game, unique talents and point of view to the table every day.  We are curious and comfortable with change and are willing to take risks to transform education. Most importantly, everything we do, we do for the learner.  

As a member of the Indexing & Vocabulary Services team within Gale’s Content & Metadata department, the primary objective for this position is to ensure the proper indexing & cataloging of Gale content with controlled descriptive metadata in a manner that fully meets digital product schedule, budget and quality requirements. The Manager, Indexing & Cataloging Services, will create a high-performance, challenging team environment that provides a culture of accountability for results, two-way communication, diversity and inclusion, recognition for successful outcomes, and significant contributions to the achievement of the company’s business objectives.

The Manager, Indexing & Cataloging Services, will lead a team of Indexing & Information Services Specialists, and will:

• Lead the development, production and maintenance of the successful application of controlled metadata to Gale content.
• Lead the creation and management of plans and production schedules for indexing and cataloging projects, including management of vendor and contractor budgets, cost estimates, latest estimates (LEs) for assigned projects, coordination of staff and vendor activities, and quality and standards compliance.
• Create, implement, and improve metadata processes and policies that take a complete view of metadata tagging, from the acquisition of content all the way through its use by customers in product.
• Work with the Director of Indexing & Vocabulary Services, the Manager of Vocabulary Services, senior Indexing & Vocabulary Services staff, product management, and other stakeholders to create, update, maintain, and disseminate appropriate policies for indexing and cataloging.
• Manage the Indexing & Cataloging team’s system and technical needs. This includes serving as the primary customer for Gale’s indexing system (currently Mercury) as well as serving as a key contributor for other Cengage editorial production systems and customer-facing product systems. Oversee staff interactions with systems staff to improve production systems on which the team depends.
• Ensure that publishing priorities, budgets, schedules, and expectations are met.
• Hold the team accountable for the direction and outcome of the team.  Manage team goals and provide direction based on CL objectives.
• Effectively communicate and collaborate within the team and across functions. 

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Has overall responsibility for ensuring that Gale content is indexed and cataloged on time, within budget, and according to quality standards.
• Responsible for accurate and timely estimations of indexing & cataloging work related to existing and new products.
• Works with colleagues to develop and maintain indexing & cataloging schedules in support of approved products and projects.
• Accountable for the periodic communication of production indexing status to management and stakeholders.
• Directs the development, improvement, and documentation of workflows, procedures and policies to support team activities while ensuring efficient use of resources.
• Oversees/directs process improvement initiatives and recommends systems enhancements to ensure efficient use of team resources.
• Acts as a consultant and expert on controlled metadata processes and standards for Cengage Learning management and staff.
• Works effectively with vendors. Manages the integration of vendor tasks and tracks and reviews vendor deliverables. Selects and manages vendors and contractor as needed to fulfill resourcing needs. Works with internal partner management teams as needed.
• Manages payment of invoices.
• Hires, manages and evaluates team staff and resources. Oversees the acquisition of necessary staff technical and business skills. 
• Creates a high-performance team environment that provides challenge, accountability for results, and recognition for positive results, and that contributes to achievement of the company’s business objectives.
• Establish clear goals/objectives for all direct reports including appropriate action plans for achieving desired results.
• Maintain ongoing communication with direct reports related to their job performance and career goals by providing ongoing coaching and feedback. 
• Continually network to develop and maintain a “bench” of recruitment candidates, especially those at competitive businesses.
• Perform additional responsibilities as needed to achieve company goals.

Required:

• B.A. or B.S.
• Minimum three years increasingly responsible indexing, cataloging, or otherwise managing descriptive metadata and/or minimum five years increasingly responsible experience in digital production within publishing industry.
• Minimum five years increasingly responsible experience as project or department team lead, which would include managing people and complex projects, budgeting, and estimating project costs.
• Online searching experience and training in, or experience with, structured information and/or relational databases. Excellent knowledge of information retrieval concepts and practices.
• Advanced knowledge and use of Windows applications, including spreadsheets, databases, word processing, and presentation tools.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, ability to accurately interpret information and translate it to teams and individuals; and to report effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to leverage facilitation, analytical, and problem-solving skills in order to manage and resolve team matters which meet organizational objectives.   
• Demonstrated ability to use organizational and planning skills and delegate to staff as needed. 
• Demonstrated ability to impact and manage change.
• Demonstrated ability to make timely decisions with effective outcomes that are in line with business objectives.
• Proven ability to develop relationships and build alignment with the team and across functional areas. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and settle disputes equitably.
• Demonstrated initiative and proven ability to manage multiple projects and responsibilities within deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully lead process improvement initiatives, to develop and motivate staff to implement change.
• Demonstrated ability use and analyze metrics. 
• Demonstrated ability to work with vendors. Builds relationships and holds vendors accountable. 

Preferred:

• MLIS, MLS or MIS, or other advanced degree.
• Experience with Cengage Learning products, editorial policies, processes, markets and competitor products.
• Experience managing a metadata development and application function in publishing industry.