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The University of Iowa

Web Content Strategy Director

The University of Iowa, Iowa, Louisiana, United States, 70647


We're building something new at Iowa, and we're looking for someone to help shape the future of our web experience. As the

Director of Web Content Strategy

within the Office of Strategic Communication, you'll play a critical role in transforming how we engage and inspire our audiences online. Reporting to the Director of Web Strategy, you’ll collaborate with talented teams and individuals across web development, branding, marketing, and communications, as well as with a wide range of campus partners responsible for their own websites.In this key leadership position, you’ll drive the creation of compelling, user-focused content that aligns with the university’s strategic goals. You’ll have the opportunity to work on some of the most visible and impactful digital projects on campus while guiding, advising, and mentoring a vibrant community of web professionals across campus. Your strategic vision and expertise will help shape the future of Iowa’s digital presence, making a lasting impact on how we communicate and connect with our audiences, community, and stakeholders.If you’re ready to lead and innovate web content strategy in a dynamic enterprise environment with hundreds of websites, this is the role for you.Work arrangement options are discussed during the hiring process.Key Areas of ResponsibilityQuality ImprovementLead the research and build the supporting processes, assets, and tools that facilitate the creation and maintenance of innovative, informed, and effective content experiences across premier campus websites.Develop and provide training in web content strategy processes and tools, web writing, tone and voice training, and share the techniques of content strategy with the campus web community.Direct and/or support content writers and stakeholders with guidance, research, and the tools of the web content strategist.Conduct audits, inventories, content analyses, and create website content development and governance plans.Communication and OutreachCollaborate with academic and administrative departments, providing guidance and feedback on website user experience, content strategy, content marketing, governance, site navigation, and accessibility.Review website analytics, search console reporting, and other sources of data to derive insights and make recommendations to improve the performance of campus websites.Deliver formal and informal stand-up presentations or demos to audiences of all kinds.Use various techniques to ensure the message received is the message intended.Operational and Financial ManagementSupport website redesigns, new website projects, audits, inventories, and assessments in concert with internal and external partners.Ensure OSC and partner program websites and content effectively support audience needs and marketing goals through copy, imagery, calls to action, and SEO.Assess and develop website copy consistent with campus Brand guidelines for tone, voice, and style.Develop and utilize appropriate key performance indicators to inform assessment and investment in OSC and campus websites.Strategic PlanningStay abreast of higher ed best practices in web content strategy, user experience, accessibility, and incorporate into current projects, campus training, and more.Develop web content strategy guidelines and templates to share with campus partners.Review website analytics, search console reporting, and other sources of data to derive insights and make recommendations to improve the performance of campus websites.Assess existing websites and make recommendations for improvement.Project ManagementFormalize and broadly communicate the scope/objectives of redesign and site building efforts.Establish key project variables such as timing, ownership, milestones, resource requirements, costs, and risk factors.Organize and document work/progress including requirements, resource needs, roles, and timelines using shared team tools (Planner, SharePoint, etc.).Identify risks and vulnerabilities and create contingency plans.Supervision/LeadershipSupervise full-time and/or student web editing staff as needed.Provide functional supervision or support to other contributors to website projects.Provide direction, assignments, feedback, coaching, and counseling to direct reports or teammates as necessary to ensure outcomes are achieved.Represent and advocate for OSC and campus partners within the university-wide web community.Required QualificationsBachelor’s degree and five years of experience leading web content strategy (minimum).3-5 years of experience working with CMSes such as Drupal, WordPress, etc.Expert-level knowledge of modern web content strategy practices, web strategy practices, development process, and technologies and how these align with marketing, Content Management System (CMS) design, and User Experience (UX) Design.Experience managing the overall content strategy for complex website(s) and web projects.Experience planning for and working on complex, large site redesigns and migrations.Working knowledge of technical and content-driven SEO.Ability to edit HTML to make front-end edits to web content as needed.Familiarity with web accessibility issues, standards, and practices and a commitment to ensuring campus web content strategy supports and reflects accessibility best practices.Experience using vended tools like Search Console, Looker Studio, Google Analytics, SEOMoz, Screaming Frog, and Siteimprove to analyze websites, communicate findings to stakeholders, and implement improvements.Experience creating, using, and training others on some mix of the following: content models, governance plans, content inventories, content audits, page inventories, page tables, user surveys, stakeholder interviews, and website content assessments.Experience recommending, planning for, and delivering long-form content, short-form content, microcopy, promotional copy, pillar copy, structured content, and website copy at all levels of an information and website hierarchy.A commitment to working transparently and collaboratively.Must provide a portfolio or list of projects that demonstrate expertise.Desirable QualificationsExperience leading web content strategy in higher education and/or experience providing web content strategy in an agency context.Experience working with development teams who build and maintain the CMS experience. This includes recommending functionality, advocating for users, collaborating on development, and supporting the Product Owner for development.Track record of SEO-focused content improvements.Experience executing and assessing content for digital marketing efforts.Ability to produce high-quality work under a deadline, while remaining positive amid constructive feedback.Experience working within established brand standards.Experience with various digital marketing technologies and techniques (landing page design, email, CRM, semantic enrichment, voice-enabled experiences, paid campaigns, etc.).Knowledge of the regulatory environment for the web, including privacy, GDPR, and accessibility.Familiarity with Agile/Scrum methodologies for managing complex work and projects.Experience setting up and configuring Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager, deploying marketing tags and pixels across websites.Agency experience delivering content strategy or experience working and leading web content strategy in an enterprise environment.Successful and effective supervision of staff or projects, preferably in the content, content strategy, and/or web services function.Application and Position DetailsIn order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission:ResumeCover LetterA portfolio or list of projects that demonstrate expertiseJob openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.Work arrangement options are discussed during the hiring process.Benefits HighlightsRegular salaried position. Located in Iowa City, Iowa.Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans.Appointment Type: Professional and ScientificSchedule: Full-timeWork Modality Options: Hybrid within Iowa, Remote within IowaEqual opportunity/affirmative action employerThe University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preferences.Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu. For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543.

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