JOB TITLE: Picture Researcher
REPORTS TO: Senior Picture Researcher
FUNCTION: Publishing
DEPARTMENT: Publishing
Job purpose: To carry out picture research, image collection and clearance of a variety of rights for National Gallery
Company (NGC) and National Gallery (NG).
Key
Accountabilities
1. Picture research,
collection & rights
clearance
2. Financial &
Administration
3. Liaison requirements
4. Picture research
database
5. Contribution to NGC
6. Staff supervision
7. Miscellaneous
Key Activities / Decision Areas
To find and collect images from external sources. To collect additional small orders
for NG images. To clear rights to reproduce external images as requested by NGC
and NG, taking account of photographic and artists’ copyright, ensuring that NG &
NGC do not infringe any copyrights. To seek to maintain the highest standards of
reproduction by obtaining good quality pictures. To update Senior Picture
Researcher and Publisher on a regular basis about all areas of PR work.
To minimise expenditure by negotiating for best fees. To implement reciprocal
agreements between outside picture libraries and the NG Picture Library, aiming to
charge and pay fair fees. To administer and record invoices and fees paid. To
understand and implement contracts for picture uses both in English and foreign
languages (mainly German, French, Italian, Spanish), maintaining a systematic
filing arrangement for paperwork, for future reference. To send complimentary
copies of books and product as required. To ensure appropriate care of
transparencies and their timely return to owners.
NGC Publishing:
To ensure pictures are obtained on schedule according the project. To be
responsible for photographic credit page in books published, double checking credit
lines and captions and showing final proofs to Senior Picture Researcher.
NGC Merchandise:
To be responsible for providing correct credit ownership and copyright line and
showing final proofs to Senior Picture Researcher. To attend and contribute to
project meetings.
Photographic Department:
To arrange for material to be duplicated, where necessary. To co-ordinate
availability of material for NG staff and to co-ordinating new photography.
NG departments:
To ensure best possible liaison when communicating with NG staff. To ensure all
aspects of picture research are covered for the following departments: Exhibitions
Department, Registrars, Education, Audio Visual Department, Multimedia
Department, Communications Department, Development Department, and
Curators. To attend and contribute to project meetings.
To ensure best possible liaison when communicating on a worldwide basis with
lenders, copyright holders, photo libraries, estates, collection societies (e.g.) DACS.
To be responsible for updating the picture research database, keeping the data
updated and accessible to all NG & NGC users, for current and future use.
To liaise with the PL Account Executives especially on requests from sister
institutions. To attend departmental meetings and contribute in areas outside PR
matters. To attend company meetings as required, maintaining an awareness of
general company issues.
Overseeing intern when required.
To maintain the B/W picture archive for future use, avoiding reordering material
already held. To participate in Company stock-takes, including transparencies as
required. To carry out any other reasonable duties as required.
Role Dimensions
Financial (limits/mandates etc.)
Non-financial (customers/staff etc)
To be agreed with project budget holders and to follow
schedules and set budgets accordingly
Dealing directly NG/NGC staff, dealing with external
suppliers
Person Specification
Competency / Performance Drivers
Technical / Professional Expertise
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 Good working knowledge of European languages with
a working knowledge of at least two additional
languages; specifically French, Italian, Spanish and
German.
 General knowledge of and interest in European Art.
 Knowledge of copyright law
 Work experience in Picture Research
 Educated to degree level in Art History
 Computer skills: competence in Excel, Word, Outlook
A high level of customer focus skills.
A high level of verbal and written communication skills.
Experience of leadership and negotiation.
A high level of initiative.
A high level of commercial focus and understanding.
A team player with experience of liaising successfully
with stakeholders and third parties.
 A high level of decision making and planning &
organising skills, with experience of managing projects
and working to deadlines.
 Technical skills in Photoshop
The Promise Performance Behaviours (9)
Passionate
Patient
Engaging
Approachable
Polite
Adaptable
Positive
Consistent Professional
Organisation Structure
Managing Director
Buying and
Trading
Finance & Business
Merchandise
Director
Support Director
Publisher
Head of
Marketing
Director
Buying &
Retail & Digital
Finance, HR &
Merchandising
Trading
IT
Editors
Production
Manager
Senior Picture
Publishing
Researcher
Assistant
Picture
Researcher