Director of Web Strategy - University Communications and Marketing

Carnegie Mellon University is a private, global research university that challenges the curious and passionate to deliver work that matters. Our world-class institution has distinctive areas of excellence and a culture marked by ambition and a deep, practical engagement with challenges facing society. We continue to produce talented alumni and draw faculty and staff eager to be a part of the university's creative, dedicated and close-knit community. We place emphasis on practical problem solving, interdisciplinary learning, an entrepreneurial spirit, and collaboration.

We are seeking a director, web strategy, who will report to the associate vice president of marketing, and will be responsible for leading web strategy development and the effective application of web platform technology including Site Improve, Enterprise solutions specific to the CMS and owned channel content! In alignment with the university’s goals, the director will craft web strategies and plans that optimize owned content, web search and email efforts to develop and deliver engaging and resonant audience experiences that enhance the university’s global reputation. The director will ensure web strategy plans align to the university’s brand blueprint and effectively communicate the university’s strengths and differentiated advantages.

Your core responsibilities will include:

• Benchmarking proven practices within higher education and proactively seeking outstanding digital strategies specific to owned media channels (web/email) regardless of industry, including staying current with digital trends and requirements related to SEO, mobile design, accessibility, etc.
• Building and maintaining an effective and collaborative working partnership with Computing Services, including the provision of strategic direction on the implementation of website technologies. Develop plans for campus user engagement including socialization of key digital/web management initiatives.
• Build and implement modern, web strategies that drive awareness of the institution, cultivate favorability and nurture engagement of audiences important to the university’s mission and goals.
• Crafting and leading the university’s digital governance group to help create policies and counsel on website management decisions.
• Cultivate effective working partnerships across functions, levels and colleges/units.
• Developing and evolving digital experience standards, strategies, policies and cross collaborative processes across the university, in collaboration with relevant partners, and drive adoption within the university marketing and communications community.
• Developing educational opportunities and training resources for digital communicators across campus, including socializing/educating campus partners on enterprise TechStack solutions.
• Ensuring the delivery of high-impact web experiences for the core cmu.edu platform and institutional web sites, including the incorporation of proven search engine optimization practices.
• Champion a culture that uses proven practices, audience insights, test and learn strategies, and measurement to fuel effective digital experience/web practices.
• Fostering collaboration and communication across the marketing and communications division and the university, serving as a web strategy leader, subject matter expert and content partner working towards alignments and scalable digital marketing solutions.
• Work as UCM lead on all enterprise digital solutions with a hands-on functional expertise of enterprise-level digital tools (“Tech Stack”) such as the content management system (CMS), Analytics360, Media management software platforms, email tools (Salesforce/Marketing Cloud) and others as needs require, including selection, design and implementation of new website technology.
• Lead a team of skilled digital/website technology professionals, including content managers, technical program managers, developers, and project management.
• Leading operational effectiveness and efficiency efforts including, quality assurance (QA) and testing protocols, consistency in frameworks and tools, governance and documentation.
• Lead digital web technology recommendations, planning and implementation in support of the efficacy of marketing and communications efforts across the university.
  

Adaptability, excellence and passion are vital qualities within the Communications and Marketing division. Inclusion, collaboration and cultural sensitivities are valued competencies at CMU. The successful candidate will share our values and support the mission of the university through the work.

The ideal candidate will have a confident, can-do attitude with strong problem-solving skills and exceptional attention to detail. Graduate degree and 8 years of progressively responsible experience leading web and digital strategy across sophisticated organizations managing stakeholders and working across teams in a collaborative fashion. This is a team environment where exceptional communication and presentation skills (oral and written), strong interpersonal skills, excellent organizational and time management skills are valued.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 8 years related experience
• Excellent web management skills
• Understanding of A/B testing, SEO and SEM
• Experience leading teams including developers, writers, content contributors and working with designers
• Expertise in project and team management
• Experience in leading the development of communication and marketing strategies in collaboration with individuals and groups across organizational lines
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and successfully manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Content management system skills (editing, setting up pages and training others)
• Demonstrated commitment to work within a diverse environment and interact openly with individuals of different backgrounds
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, advertising, communications, business administration or related quantitative field such as statistics or mathematics. Or a combination of education and relevant field experience from which comparable knowledge and skills have been acquired

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10-15 years relevant experience
• Experience in higher education
• Demonstrated experience with Salesforce Marketing Cloud
• Experience with Slate or other email and CRM tools
• PMP or Agile/Scrum experience or certificate in project management
• Google Analytics certification

Requirements:

• Successful background check

Additional Information:

• This position resides at CMU’s Pittsburgh, Oakland campus.
• This position is operating on a hybrid schedule, with an on-campus/in office presence 3 days a week.
• You should be able to travel both domestically and internationally and be willing to work outside of normal business hours as needed.

To be considered for this position, please submit a resume, letter of interest, salary requirements and work samples (i.e. reports, dashboards) with your application.

Interested in this exciting opportunity? Apply today!

CMU’s COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements: As a condition of employment, Carnegie Mellon University requires all staff and faculty working in the United States to be fully vaccinated, including a booster when eligible, against COVID-19. Prior to commencement of employment, new hires in the United States must provide proof of vaccination or obtain an approved exemption. (Exemptions may be requested for medical reasons or for religious or strong moral or ethical conviction.) Staff and faculty must comply with all applicable COVID-19 mitigation requirements. Please see Minimum Requirements to Return to Campus for details regarding the university’s current COVID-19 mitigation requirements.

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

Job Function

Communications

Position Type

Staff – Regular

Full Time/Part time

Full time

Pay Basis

Salary

More Information:

• Please visit “ Why Carnegie Mellon ” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.
  
  
• Click here to view a listing of employee benefits
  
  
• Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran .
  
  
• Statement of Assurance