Photography Lead

Job Title: Photography Lead

Reporting To: Data Leads

Role Summary
Photography Team Leads within the Data Production department oversee a high-volume, technically demanding data production operation supporting the digitisation and preservation of Barbados’ documentary heritage.

The project generates up to 2TB of image data daily, all of which must be validated and published in near real time. The work performed by the team, as well as the equipment used, is highly technical and requires continuous monitoring, optimisation, troubleshooting, and maintenance.

The team is large, diverse, and deployed flexibly to minimise downtime and maintain consistently high-quality output. As a result, the Team Lead role requires a combination of strong technical, quality assurance, operational, and people leadership skills.

Key Responsibilities

Photography & Production

• Oversee day-to-day photography workflows to ensure production targets and quality standards are consistently achieved.
• Review, validate, and correct large volumes of photographic work to ensure accuracy and compliance with project standards.
• Analyse production outputs to identify trends, recurring issues, and opportunities for process improvement.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), workflow documentation, and quality benchmarks.
• Adapt workflows to operational requirements and document improvements to support continuous process enhancement.
• Support digital image capture activities and validate data integrity where required.
• Assist with troubleshooting technical issues affecting photography workflows and equipment.

Quality Assurance & Preservation

• Review photographic and metadata outputs for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with established quality standards.
• Identify and correct errors and work with team members to prevent recurring quality issues.
• Ensure the safe handling of archival materials in accordance with established preservation standards.
• Contribute to maintaining accurate, authentic, and verifiable digital records of historical materials.
• Ensure adherence to departmental SOPs, quality benchmarks, and established workflow requirements.

People Management & Team Leadership

• Lead, motivate, and support team members to achieve departmental objectives, production targets, and quality standards.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and accountable team environment.
• Monitor employee performance, productivity, attendance, and punctuality, identifying concerns and escalating matters where appropriate.
• Provide regular coaching, constructive feedback, and guidance to support employee development and continuous improvement.
• Communicate operational priorities, workflow changes, and performance expectations clearly to team members.
• Provide clarification and guidance on processes, quality standards, and assigned tasks.
• Identify training and development needs and work with management to provide appropriate development opportunities.
• Address performance issues, workplace concerns, and potential disciplinary matters promptly and in accordance with Company policies.
• Support management in implementing new processes, procedures, and operational initiatives.
• Assist with onboarding, mentoring, and cross-training team members to maintain operational flexibility.
• Maintain accurate records relating to team performance, quality outcomes, coaching, and operational issues where required.
• Lead by example by demonstrating professionalism, accountability, and adherence to organisational policies and procedures.

Requirements

Essential

• Experience in digital photography, image capture, or a related production environment.
• Experience with metadata creation, transcription, data entry, or similar data-focused work.
• Demonstrated ability to produce accurate, high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to identify emerging issues, troubleshoot problems, and prevent recurring or systemic errors.
• Ability to learn, document, and communicate specialised photography and metadata workflows to the broader team.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong communication, coaching, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback and support employee development.
• Calm, professional, and solution-oriented approach when working under pressure.
• Demonstrated commitment to the preservation of cultural heritage materials.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience working with archival, historical, museum, library, or cultural heritage collections.
• At least one year of experience working with a large team on a high-volume production project with demanding quality standards.
• Experience leading or coordinating teams in an operational or production environment.
• Familiarity with historical manuscripts or archival materials.
• Experience preparing performance reports for management and supporting coaching or performance management processes.
• Reading knowledge of Latin, French, Portuguese, or Dutch would be an asset.

Technical Skills

• Digital camera operation.
• Capture One or equivalent imaging software.
• GoldenThread and/or OpenDice.
• DT Nexus.
• Quality assurance processes.
• Digital file management.