As part of a diverse community of faculty and staff who represent many faith systems and worldviews, Marian University seeks a Web Development Strategist to promote our Catholic Franciscan mission and identity by handling the operational, technical, and day-to-day aspects of the university’s website and digital presence in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. This role supports the Director of Web and Strategic Innovation (new title for current position) by managing content updates, technical implementations, and stakeholder requests, ensuring the website remains functional, accessible, and optimized for user needs across traditional and AI-driven discovery channels. The Web Development Strategist will collaborate with internal teams to maintain website performance, execute optimization tactics, and provide training, contributing to a seamless online experience that drives engagement and aligns with brand objectives while adapting to emerging technologies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Actively engage the Catholic Franciscan mission and identity of Marian University by modeling the Franciscan Sponsorship Values and honoring the legacy of the founding congregation through transformative education, unity in diversity, leadership through service, integrating faith and life, and institutional policies.
2. Manage daily content updates, page creation, and multimedia integration in Cascade CMS, ensuring optimization for AI search and generative responses.
3. Implement front-end and back-end customizations, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Cascade CMS templates.
4. Execute digital discovery tactics (e.g., keyword optimization, meta tags, link building, AI friendly content structuring).
5. Perform routine site audits (e.g., broken links, accessibility checks using UserWay) and monitor for compatibility with evolving search technologies.
6. Handle Monday.com service requests, prioritizing and tracking web-related tasks from campus stakeholders to ensure timely resolution.
7. Support departmental editors with training and troubleshooting on tools and best practices for future-proof content creation.
8. Assist with UX improvements, A/B testing, and analytics reporting, collaborating with the Director on strategic initiatives that incorporate AI trends.
9. Oversee website content to ensure it is up-to-date, accessible, optimized, and aligned with brand messaging, user needs, and emerging discovery methods.
10. Collaborate with design and content teams to enhance website functionality, mobile optimization, and user experience in an AI-influenced environment.
11. Manage and prioritize website project requests from internal constituents, ensuring clear communication, timely delivery, and a customer-focused approach.
12. Recruit and manage website interns, providing direction, coaching, and professional development on modern digital tools.
13. Conduct regular audits, keyword research, and performance analyses, implementing on-page and off-page improvements for traditional and AI search.
14. Manage technical issues such as site speed, crawl errors, structured data, and indexing to support visibility in generative engines.
15. Monitor and interpret key website metrics (traffic, conversion rates, bounce rates, etc.) to drive continuous improvement and adaptability.
16. Partner with marketing, content, and social media teams to align digital strategies and ensure seamless integration across channels, including AI platforms.
17. Collaborate with sales and enrollment teams to optimize lead capture and conversion tracking on the website for multi-channel discovery.
18. Work with UX/UI designers and developers to implement best practices for web design and user experience that anticipate tech evolutions.

University Expectations: (examples listed below)

1. Knowledge of and commitment to the mission of Marian University.
2. Adheres to Marian University’s policies and procedures.
3. Shows courtesy and respect in interactions with fellow employees, students, subordinates, and supervisors.
4. Communicates regularly with supervisor about department issues.
5. Meets department productivity standards.
6. Participates in developing department goals, objectives, and systems.
7. Assists in establishing department measurements that align and support the accomplishment of the university’s strategic goals.
8. Adheres to the department budget.

Required Qualifications:

1. Education: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, information technology, or a related field.
2. Experience: 2-5 years in web development, content management, or digital operations, with a track record of handling technical and operational tasks in evolving environments.
3. Technical Skills: Strong knowledge of web development platforms (e.g., Cascade CMS, WordPress), HTML/CSS/JavaScript, and optimization tools (e.g., Google Analytics, UserWay), including basics of AI-enhanced search tactics.
4. Other Skills: Experience with UX/UI improvements, A/B testing, site audits, and content structuring for generative AI; solid project management skills; ability to handle stakeholder requests with adaptability; understanding of website accessibility, privacy, security regulations, and digital trends in the AI era; excellent written and verbal communication skills.
5. Preferred: Experience in higher education or nonprofit sectors; familiarity with Monday.com or similar task management tools, and emerging AI optimization practices.

Essential Functions:

1. Work hours necessary to perform job requirements satisfactorily on a regular basis.
2. Manage absence from work responsibly to ensure service to clients, work teams, and coworkers.
3. Comply with Marian University policies and practices, seeking clarification when necessary.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, equipment, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Limitations and Disclaimer

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or signify can’t risk the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and States Laws.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

For Consideration All Applications Require:

1. Cover Letter
2. Current resume or CV
3. Contact information of three professional references. The reference contact information must be entered after the application is submitted in the "My Presence" section of the applicant profile.
4. Responses to the supplementary mission & identity questions.

Please Review Marian University’s Mission & Identity Statement before responding to the supplementary questions on your application:

https://www.marian.edu/faith

Marian University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

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