Website And Digital Communications Manager

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University

Department:

School of International Service

Time Type:

Full time

Job Type:

Regular

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Work Modality:

Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week)

Union:

SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit represented by SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division. That means the terms and conditions of your employment are governed by university policy (including the Staff Personnel Policies Manual) and any collective bargaining agreement entered into between American University and SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division.

Job Description:

Summary:

The Website and Digital Communications Manager is a member of the Communications and Marketing team at American University's School of International Service (SIS) and is responsible for developing, maintaining, and strategically enhancing the school's online presence. The Website and Digital Communications Manager is integral in ensuring that SIS's website meets high standards of accuracy, relevance, readability, user experience, SEO, and accessibility (Section 508 compliance). This role blends communication and technical skills and requires creative problem-solving skills to develop innovative solutions for complex web challenges, from reimagining content presentation to designing efficient workflows. They use tools to regularly audit the site to update outdated content and improve user experience. They work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders within SIS and across the university to establish and maintain web protocols and content freshness and accuracy. They produce thoughtful analytics reports to identify opportunities for improvement and develop sustainable processes that promote self-sufficient among content contributors. The Website and Digital Communications Manager reports to the Director of Marketing and Communications and operates with significant independence in day-to-day execution while collaborating strategically on broader initiatives. They work closely with academic programs and other offices and units at SIS, as well as other university units, including University Communications and Marketing, the Office of Information Technology, and other school staff at AU.

Essential Functions:

1.) SIS Website Strategy and Management

• The Website and Digital Communications Manager works under the strategic oversight of the Director of Marketing and Communication to develop, maintain, and continuously improve the school's online presence and track online metrics.

• The Manager will serve as the primary web administrator at SIS and is responsible for all day-to-day website operations.

• Develop innovative solutions for complex challenges, including reimagining content presentation, designing user-friendly page structures, and creating engaging digital experiences that align with SIS goals.

• Manage the continuous workflow of website updates and improvements, responding to requests from across the school while maintaining consistency with design standards and branding requirements.

• Add, update, and strategically restructure web content, including text, photos, and multimedia.

• Lead content evaluation and migration planning efforts for the upcoming AEM transition, which may require coordinating efforts with MarComm team and other stakeholders.

• Utilize SiteImprove accessibility and other tools to enhance webpages, navigation, and user experience across all SIS units and programs.

• Serve as the school's expert in web accessibility (Section 508) compliance and SEO optimization.

• Collaborate with Director of Marketing and Communications to create and maintain comprehensive analytics dashboards in Google Data Studio.

• Analyze web performance data to identify opportunities and advise stakeholders on best practices.

• Design and implement sustainable training approaches that promote self-sufficiency among web content contributors throughout the school.

• Maintain resource libraries and guides and streamline support processes that minimize dependency while ensuring quality publishing standards.

• Provide technical support as needed to school content contributors.

• Stay current with website design trends in higher education and monitor competitor websites.

• Work with designers, technology experts, consultants, and outside vendors as needed.

• Oversee Sharepoint set-up, permissions, and upkeep for internal communication sites within SIS.

2.) Digital Communications and Multimedia

• The Manager provides internal support for other digital platforms, including Engaging Networks, EMS, Adobe products, YouTube, Mailchimp, and Canva.

• Research, evaluate, and recommend new digital tools and applications for SIS

• Create and maintain organized archival systems for digital content, including stories, photos, video, and audio files

• Assist as needed with creative production of multimedia content

• Monitor multimedia use and digital communications by competitors

• Map and optimize communications across web touchpoints with prospective graduate students, ensuring cohesive messaging and user experience.

3.) Other Duties

• The Manager assists in other communications and marketing functions as needed.

Competencies:

• Evaluating and Implementing Ideas.

• Developing Plans.

• Making Accurate Judgments and Decisions.

• Championing Customer Needs.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Full-Time.

• 35 hours per week.

• This is an office-based position.

• The office hours are M-F, 9 AM -5 PM.

• 3 day on site, 2 days remote per week.

Salary Range:

• $63,978 annually.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree.

• 3-5 years of relevant experience.

• Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Communications, Digital Media, or a related field.

• Demonstrated ability to develop creative solutions for digital communication challenges and work independently while collaborating strategically with leadership.

• Proven understanding of the web environment with the ability to enhance user experience, maintain branding consistency, and ensure accessibility compliance.

• Intermediate HTML knowledge and strong ability to learn new content management systems and digital platforms quickly.

• Outstanding interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills

• Ability to communicate and manage relationships with various internal constituencies.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and to prioritize workload.

• Knowledge of SEO and web accessibility.

• Close attention to detail.

• Experience managing an organizational website on an institutional CMS.

• Experience with Google Analytics.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Master's degree.

• 5-8 years of relevant experience.

• International affairs, higher education, or non-profit communications background a plus.

• Experience with a web migration.

• Excellent computer skills including Adobe Dreamweaver, HTML5, CSS, and other current tools required to fulfill web content responsibilities.

• Experience with Canva and other Adobe products.

• Experience with e-newsletter systems such as Mailchimp or Salesforce Marketing Cloud.

• Experience with various online measurement and assessment platforms and tools outside of those listed above (e.g., CrazyEgg, social media analytics).

• Advanced experience with SEO tools, such as SiteImprove.

• Experience with Google Data Studio.

• Experience with Sharepoint or other organizational Intranet solution.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.

Other Details

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.

• Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.

• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• American University is an E-Verify employer.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual's genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.