Rights Specialist at Augsburg Fortress Publishers in Minneapolis, MN

Description

Do you enjoy working with details, contracts, and complex information, and taking pride in getting things right? Are you someone who finds satisfaction in organizing systems, and supporting colleagues and partners with clear, accurate information? Would you thrive in a collaborative publishing environment where your work ensures creators are respected, intellectual property is protected, and resources can be shared responsibly? If so, the Rights Specialist position at Augsburg Fortress Publishers may be a great fit for you.

Augsburg Fortress Publishers (AFP) is a multimedia publishing ministry of the ELCA, composed of five imprints: Augsburg Fortress, Sparkhouse, Fortress Press, Beaming Books, and Broadleaf Books. We publish resources that support Christian worship, faith formation, spiritual growth, and academic study, and professional development. AFP strives to create an environment of inclusiveness, equity, and respect for all regardless of ability, age, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, nation of origin, race, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Individuals who are committed to contributing meaningfully to diversity and inclusion in publishing are encouraged to apply.

Position Overview

The Rights Specialist position responds to internal and external queries and requests related to Augsburg Fortress Publisher’s intellectual property. The role manages the acquisition of third-party intellectual property, grants non-exclusive permissions, and processes royalty statements from third parties.

Key Responsibilities

Rights Management

• Respond to non-exclusive permissions requests from third parties accurately, professionally, and in a timely manner
• Create, review, and process licensing agreements for AFP content, including reviewing product file records, researching rights language on acquired contracts, and providing direction to internal and external stakeholders
• Request permissions and facilitate licensing agreements for use of third-party content in AFP products
• Provide internal and external education regarding copyrights and permissions
• Register AFP products with the Library of Congress copyright office, and estimate annual expenses based on projected volumes

Royalties

• Process royalty payments, calculating and assigning royalties to appropriate parties
• Track receipt of royalty statements from third-party publishers and request documentation as needed
• Maintain AFP records in the OneLicense database to ensure accurate reporting of AFP music usage 
• Respond to queries from AFP contributors regarding permissions and licensing revenue on royalty statements

Recordkeeping and Systems Maintenance

• Maintain an archive of contracts and rights deals
• Update, maintain, and audit internal systems so that they accurately reflect contractual terms, including information regarding royalties, rights, contributor discounts, and complimentary copies
• Perform seasonal rights audits for frontlist products

Supplier Management

• Guide, monitor, and manage the work of external vendors in providing accurate, professional, and timely responses to customer rights and permissions queries

Business Process Transformation

• Critically engage in the adoption of new workflows by closely following the workflow requirements and ensuring that issues are understood, resolved/mitigated, or escalated as appropriate, so that rights and contracts team workflows continue to adapt to the changing publishing environment and offer the best possible value to the business
• With manager support, document new workflows to a high standard and deliver briefing/training to internal and external stakeholders, so that implementation is successful, and the full value of the transformation is realized
• Provide back-up for the contracts team

Ethical Standards

• Actively uphold the ethical standards and behaviors expected by AFP

Desired Education and Experience

• 2+ years’ experience in an administrative position
• College degree or equivalent experience

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to multitask, be consistent, and be highly organized
• Highly detail-oriented and ability to work with varying complexities of different types of product information
• Effective problem-solving skills and a results-oriented approach, with the ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to comprehend publishing agreements
• Ability to work in an environment of change, seeking continuous improvement and innovation in team and house-wide work processes in response to customer needs and budget concerns
• Ability to organize systems, materials, and flow of work efficiently and accurately
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and in writing, along with the ability to establish/maintain positive working relationships with internal and external customers 
• Fluent in Microsoft Office applications, the internet for research, online records management, and related functions
• Knowledge of church music and basic church practices is desirable

Salary and Location

The salary range for this position is $50,000–$55,000 annually, depending on qualifications and internal equity. This hybrid position is open to candidates living in the Twin Cities area and requires onsite work in the Minneapolis office at least 2 days per week.

Augsburg Fortress Publishers offers a competitive salary and a full list of benefits, including health, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible savings account, retirement plan, supplemental life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance, and other voluntary plans. Company paid benefits provided are short-term and long-term disability, basic life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance. Time off plans include vacation, sick, volunteer, bereavement, and paid parenting leave. Also included is a pre-tax transportation program and no-cost gym access nearby. You will join a collaborative and creative hybrid work environment, with a talented group of 80 individuals who have a passion for their work. The corporate headquarters is located in the North Loop, Minneapolis with access to Light Rail and Metro Transit bus lines.