University of Chicago is hiring a Manager, South Side Home Movie Project

The University of Chicago is hiring a Manager for the South Side Home Movie Project (SSHMP). This role leads the daily operations of a community-focused archive, balancing direct technical work with supervisory duties, donor engagement, and strategic contribution. You will be instrumental in preserving and providing access to film collections while fostering community partnership.

What You'll Do

• Inventory and assess unprocessed collections, making prioritization recommendations.
• Oversee and perform analog film preservation, inspection, and rehousing for 8mm, Super 8, and 16mm formats.
• Conduct A-D strip testing, prepare materials for long-term storage, and maintain accurate documentation.
• Operate film digitization equipment like FilmFabriek and produce preservation-grade files using FFTranscode, FFmpeg, and DaVinci Resolve.
• Enter metadata using PREMIS and PBCore standards into CollectiveAccess, Airtable, and internal systems.
• Oversee and contribute to digitization efforts and the long-term maintenance of the digital archive.
• Supervise student workers and interns.
• Develop inspection, digitization, and cataloging workflows and training guides.
• Support program operations and budget, providing input and participating in APL budget meetings.
• Oversee oral history collection and transcription workflows.
• Manage communications with donors, including documenting collection context and maintaining paperwork.
• Contribute to planning and execution of community cataloging activities and oral history interviews.
• Collaborate with APL to plan SSHMP public programs and community events.
• Compile video materials and support the technical execution of events.
• Assist with content creation for website, digital archive, and social media platforms.
• Represent SSHMP at national and international forums.
• Participate in APL’s Cultural Stewardship Team.
• Support fundraising and development efforts.
• Assist with procurement and vendor coordination.
• Contribute to budget planning and strategic initiatives.
• Lead and coordinate the unit's work with a focus on collection control, cataloging, e-resources, and materials.
• Identify and resolve or refer non-routine problems with cataloging, collection management, e-resources, and materials.

What We're Looking For

• Vocational training, apprenticeships, or equivalent experience in a related field.
• 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Nice to Have

• Bachelor’s degree in film studies, library and information science, archival studies, media arts, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of work experience in film archives, community-based archiving, or arts programming.
• Supervisory experience.

Technical Stack

• Productivity: Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Cloud-based project management tools.
• Cataloging: CollectiveAccess or similar systems.
• Digitization & Editing: Audiovisual digitization and editing software, FilmFabriek equipment, FFTranscode, FFmpeg, DaVinci Resolve.
• Metadata Standards: PREMIS and PBCore.
• Database/Systems: CollectiveAccess, Airtable.
• Content Management: Website and social media content management systems.

Team & Environment

This role reports to APL’s Deputy Director and SSHMP’s Founding Director. The organization is grounded in cultural stewardship and community partnership, providing residencies for local artists, arts education for youth, and artist-led programming.

Benefits & Compensation

• Compensation: $25.00 - $28.00 per hour.
• Eligible for health, retirement, and paid time off benefits.

Work Mode

This is a hybrid position based in Chicago, IL.

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.