Manager, South Side Home Movie Project

Department

AI APL South Side Home Movie Project

About the Department

Arts + Public Life (APL) at the University of Chicago is a neighborhood platform for arts and culture in Washington Park. Grounded in cultural stewardship and community partnership, APL provides residencies for local artists and creative entrepreneurs, arts education for youth, and artist-led programming and exhibitions. Launched in 2011, APL is part of UChicago Arts in the Division of the Arts and Humanities. APL operates on the Arts Block, a vibrant collection of cultural and commercial spaces along Garfield Boulevard between Prairie Avenue and Martin Luther King Drive in Washington Park.

Job Summary

The Manager leads the daily operations of the South Side Home Movie Project, including archival processing, community engagement, and digital access efforts. This role balances direct technical work, such as inspection, digitization, and metadata entry, with supervision of staff and student workers, donor engagement, and contribution to budget planning and strategic initiatives. Reporting to APL’s Deputy Director and SSHMP’s Founding Director, the Manager ensures effective execution of archival, programmatic, and administrative functions.

Responsibilities

• Inventories and assesses unprocessed collections and makes prioritization recommendations.
• Oversees and performs analog film preservation, inspection, and rehousing (8mm, Super 8, 16mm).
• Conducts A-D strip testing, prepares materials for long-term storage, and maintains accurate documentation.
• Operates film digitization equipment, such as FilmFabriek, and produces preservation-grade digital files using FFTranscode, FFmpeg, and DaVinci Resolve.
• Enters metadata using PREMIS and PBCore standards into CollectiveAccess, Airtable, and internal systems.
• Oversees and contributes to the digitization of materials and the long-term maintenance of the digital archive.
• Supervises student workers and interns.
• Develops inspection, digitization, and cataloging workflows and training guides.
• Supports program operations and budget, providing input and participating in APL budget meetings, in coordination with APL’s Deputy Director and SSHMP’s Founding Director.
• Oversees oral history collection and transcription workflows.
• Manages communications with donors, including documenting collection context and maintaining donor paperwork (rights, consent, metadata).
• Contributes to planning and execution of community cataloging activities and oral history interviews.
• Collaborates with APL to plan SSHMP public programs and community events.
• Compiles video materials and support technical execution of events.
• Assists with content creation for website, digital archive, and social media platforms.
• Represents SSHMP at national and international forums.
• Participates in APL’s Cultural Stewardship Team.
• In coordination with APL’s Deputy Director, the SSHMP’s Founding Director, and the UChicago Arts Development team, supports fundraising and development efforts.
• Assists with procurement and vendor coordination.
• Contributes to budget planning and strategic initiatives.
• The job leads and coordinates work of the unit with a focus on collection control and management, cataloging, e-resources, and materials.
• Responsible for identifying and resolving or referring non-routine problems with cataloging, collection management, e-resources and materials.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in film studies, library and information science, archival studies, media arts, or a related field.

Experience:

• 3–5 years of work experience in film archives, community-based archiving, or arts programming.
• Supervisory experience.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and cloud-based project management tools.
• Understanding of CollectiveAccess or similar cataloging systems.
• Familiarity with audiovisual digitization and editing software.
• Proficiency in website and social media content management.

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent organizational and planning abilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, especially with diverse community stakeholders.
• Cultural competency and sensitivity to work with South Side communities and film donors.
• Manage multiple priorities in a hybrid, fast-paced work environment.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid work environment with regular on-site responsibilities.
• Occasional evening and weekend hours.
• Travel within Chicago to community events and donor sites.
• Move equipment up to 40 lbs.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)
• References Contact Information (3) (preferred)

Job Family

Library

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

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FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

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Pay Range

$25.00 - $28.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

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. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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