Director, Metadata & Taxonomy at Sony Pictures Entertainment
Culver City, CA 90230
About the Job
The Director, Metadata & Taxonomy is responsible for strategically designing and maintaining metadata models for digital assets governed by the Content Licensing group, working with both internal and external stakeholders to manage and optimize workflows for metadata tagging and client deliverables
The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, agile, and creative, with a strong background across three key areas: data management, project management, and technical implementation
The role reports to the Vice President, Content Licensing & Metadata Services Responsibilities include:Identify strategic metadata opportunities for the Content Licensing business and for the broader studio as it relates to the curation of time-based metadata and clip re-use across all lines of businessDrive strategic decision making and implementation related to metadata creation, acquisition, and modelingOversee the operation of (and serve as the internal public face for) SPCL’s Village Well, SPE's clipping solution and metadata repository describing longform studio assets using both AI/ML and human-generated time-based metadataManage projects related to the further development and integration of SPCL’s Village Well across the studio, defining objectives, timelines, and deliverables in collaboration with system usersAudit metadata to ensure adherence to standards and resolve data integrity issuesUse SQL and other query languages to standardize inconsistent or incomplete metadata, as well as perform analysis that influences metadata strategyDevelop and improve workflows for metadata tagging and client deliverables (video clips/still images)Train Content Licensing team members on new metadata tagging standards and in the creation of metadata deliverablesCoordinate between SPE IT and 3rd party providers to integrate various data systems, automate reporting, and streamline data workflowsEvaluate new AI/machine learning technologies and project manage their integration with existing systemsOnboard content partners, provide training, and develop custom metadata schemas as requiredQuery and analyze search data to support strategic metadata decisionsMaintain familiarity with new technologies and other developments in the entertainment industry as they relate to metadata creation, collection, or modelingAdvocate to improve content discoverability and user experience through innovative metadata modelsExperience:5+ years of direct experience within the following areas:metadata management - taxonomies, ontologies, metadata standards, metadata management, data extraction & transformation, and digital asset management (DAM)project management – technical implementation, system integration, communication, planning, coordinating, operations, reporting, and problem-solvingpersonnel management - including supervision, scheduling, training, evaluation, and developmentFamiliarity with the following areas is preferred:content licensing - stock footage, VFX elements, film clips, photography, license administration, rights and clearances, CRM systems, sales, and customer servicepost-production - post-production workflows, color-grading, editing, VFX, encoding/transcoding, subtitling, and delivery formatsKnowledge, skills, and abilities required:Strong understanding of metadata, taxonomies, and ontologiesExcellent verbal and written communications skillsAdept research and problem-solving skillsDeep knowledge of the studio’s catalog and the stock footage libraryAbility to multi-task and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environmentSound analytical skills (both qualitative & quantitative)Understanding of rights and clearancesUnderstanding of compliance standards and practicesAble to build rapport with clients, partners and cross-functional teamsDecisive & effective problem-solving ability with a strategic mindsetDetail-oriented with strong organizational and project management skillsMaster’s degree in Library or Information Science preferredThe anticipated base salary for this position is $146K to $190K
This role may also qualify for annual incentive and/or comprehensive benefits
The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location of the position.Sony Pictures Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer
We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics.SPE will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with applicable law.To request an accommodation for purposes of participating in the hiring process, you may contact us at
The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, agile, and creative, with a strong background across three key areas: data management, project management, and technical implementation
The role reports to the Vice President, Content Licensing & Metadata Services Responsibilities include:Identify strategic metadata opportunities for the Content Licensing business and for the broader studio as it relates to the curation of time-based metadata and clip re-use across all lines of businessDrive strategic decision making and implementation related to metadata creation, acquisition, and modelingOversee the operation of (and serve as the internal public face for) SPCL’s Village Well, SPE's clipping solution and metadata repository describing longform studio assets using both AI/ML and human-generated time-based metadataManage projects related to the further development and integration of SPCL’s Village Well across the studio, defining objectives, timelines, and deliverables in collaboration with system usersAudit metadata to ensure adherence to standards and resolve data integrity issuesUse SQL and other query languages to standardize inconsistent or incomplete metadata, as well as perform analysis that influences metadata strategyDevelop and improve workflows for metadata tagging and client deliverables (video clips/still images)Train Content Licensing team members on new metadata tagging standards and in the creation of metadata deliverablesCoordinate between SPE IT and 3rd party providers to integrate various data systems, automate reporting, and streamline data workflowsEvaluate new AI/machine learning technologies and project manage their integration with existing systemsOnboard content partners, provide training, and develop custom metadata schemas as requiredQuery and analyze search data to support strategic metadata decisionsMaintain familiarity with new technologies and other developments in the entertainment industry as they relate to metadata creation, collection, or modelingAdvocate to improve content discoverability and user experience through innovative metadata modelsExperience:5+ years of direct experience within the following areas:metadata management - taxonomies, ontologies, metadata standards, metadata management, data extraction & transformation, and digital asset management (DAM)project management – technical implementation, system integration, communication, planning, coordinating, operations, reporting, and problem-solvingpersonnel management - including supervision, scheduling, training, evaluation, and developmentFamiliarity with the following areas is preferred:content licensing - stock footage, VFX elements, film clips, photography, license administration, rights and clearances, CRM systems, sales, and customer servicepost-production - post-production workflows, color-grading, editing, VFX, encoding/transcoding, subtitling, and delivery formatsKnowledge, skills, and abilities required:Strong understanding of metadata, taxonomies, and ontologiesExcellent verbal and written communications skillsAdept research and problem-solving skillsDeep knowledge of the studio’s catalog and the stock footage libraryAbility to multi-task and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environmentSound analytical skills (both qualitative & quantitative)Understanding of rights and clearancesUnderstanding of compliance standards and practicesAble to build rapport with clients, partners and cross-functional teamsDecisive & effective problem-solving ability with a strategic mindsetDetail-oriented with strong organizational and project management skillsMaster’s degree in Library or Information Science preferredThe anticipated base salary for this position is $146K to $190K
This role may also qualify for annual incentive and/or comprehensive benefits
The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location of the position.Sony Pictures Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer
We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics.SPE will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with applicable law.To request an accommodation for purposes of participating in the hiring process, you may contact us at
SPE_Accommodation_Assistance@spe.sony.com.SummaryLocation
: Culver City, CaliforniaType: Full time