Metadata Strategist

About ISD

ISD, LLC is a leading distributor of scholarly and specialist publications, representing over 110 independent publishers worldwide. Based in Bristol, Connecticut, ISD provides expert, full-service print and digital distribution, marketing, and metadata management services, ensuring that important academic works reach the widest possible audience. 

Through strategic partnerships, advanced data services, and tailored support, ISD empowers publishers to expand their reach across North America and beyond. Committed to excellence in service, innovation, and collaboration, ISD bridges the gap between publishers, booksellers, librarians, and readers in the global scholarly community. ISD specializes in the humanities and social sciences, with particular strengths in subjects such as Art & Art History; Archaeology; Medieval & Renaissance Studies; Music; Psychology; and Religious & Biblical Studies. 

Position Overview

The Metadata Strategist oversees the creation, management, and quality control of bibliographic and digital metadata across ISD’s distributed publisher programs. This role ensures that metadata conforms to ISD standards, ONIX requirements, and industry best practices, supporting discoverability and efficient distribution across all sales and library channels.

The position manages metadata supporting more than 110 international publishers, representing a backlist of over 150,000 active title records, with approximately 4,500 new records onboarded annually, a volume that continues to grow each year.

This is more than a technical metadata processing role. The Metadata Strategist will play an active, developmental role in strengthening ISD’s metadata infrastructure, collaborating directly with publishers to enhance metadata quality, refining internal workflows, and contributing to publisher education and outreach efforts. The ideal candidate brings initiative, strategic thinking, and a forward-facing approach to metadata management.

Key Responsibilities

  • Manage and maintain bibliographic metadata across internal title management systems
  • Review, validate, and process ONIX records, ensuring compliance with industry standards and ISD requirements
  • Oversee metadata onboarding for new publishers and new title lists
  • Ensure consistency and accuracy of bibliographic data across print and digital formats
  • Identify and remediate metadata errors and implement quality control procedures
  • Manage high volumes of metadata during peak seasons and onboarding periods with accuracy and efficiency
  • Coordinate metadata updates across internal systems and distribution partners
  • Develop, refine, and optimize ISD’s metadata intake, workflow, and output processes to improve efficiency, accuracy, and discoverability
  • Actively collaborate with publishers to enhance metadata quality, completeness, and discoverability
  • Monitor recurring metadata issues and proactively work with publishers to implement long-term improvements
  • Identify gaps in publisher metadata submissions and follow up to ensure timely and complete updates
  • Initiate larger metadata improvement projects where needed (e.g., backlist cleanups, subject revisions, keyword enhancements, ONIX upgrades)
  • Contribute to publisher-facing education initiatives, including blog posts, best-practice documentation, webinars, and other materials that promote strong metadata standards
  • Liaise with departments across ISD, including Digital Content, Sales & Marketing, Finance, Customer Service, and Warehouse Operations, to ensure metadata supports operational needs and business objectives
  • Understand how metadata impacts discoverability, ordering, invoicing, fulfillment, reporting, and customer experience, and tailor metadata workflows accordingly
  • Stay current on industry standards and best practices related to bibliographic metadata, ONIX, discoverability, and distribution requirements
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