Metadata Specialist

Harvard Business School’s Baker Library is seeking a temporary Metadata Specialist to review and update a list of organizations based on specific criteria. This list is used to draw connections among HBS academic works, alumni, and organizations. Because we leverage external sources to enrich this metadata, accuracy is critical for this project., The temporary Metadata Specialist will be responsible for updating an assigned set of organization names and metadata. This work requires the application of expertise and awareness of best practices for the creation of original authority records that enable and enhance user discovery of resources and content.

· Update approximately 1,400 organization names and other metadata according to specific criteria within a custom database.

· Establish variant name forms and cross-references so that a search on a former, alternate, or vernacular name still retrieves the correct organization.

· Leverage external sources to enrich the metadata

· Apply authority record principles consistently - uniqueness, appropriate qualifiers, and clear differentiation between similarly named entities - to support reliable discovery and accurate connections across HBS academic works, alumni, and organizations.

· Consult with the Information Management team to clarify ambiguous cases, conflicting external sources, entities not covered by existing criteria, and any question that could set a precedent for the rest of the set.

· Report progress against the throughput expectations below, noting any obstacles affecting the completion timeline.

· Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, including Excel, Outlook, Teams, and file management

· Experience with library catalogs and effective web searching

· Familiarity with the principles of authority record creation and management

· Strong attention to detail and accuracy

· Excellent professional communication skills

· Ability to manage time effectively and work independently within project guidelines

· Strong problem-solving skills and adaptability when workflows vary

· Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive or proprietary information with discretion and sound judgment

· BA/BS is required.

Other Information:

This is a temporary, hybrid position requiring at least one day of on-site work per week at Harvard Business School’s Boston, MA-based campus. Specific hours and days on-site will be determined by business needs and are subject to change with appropriate advanced notice.