Description
Salary Range: 

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and 90 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, hands-on research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs. The University offers a strong foundation in the humanities and sciences and undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs through eight schools.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is increasingly recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical leaders in their professions and communities. On the most beautiful college campus in the country, SMU Mustangs are energized by unbridled opportunities – from teaching, learning and research to creativity, performance and athletic endeavor.

About the Department:

Development and External Affairs (DEA) supports SMU by securing funding for University priorities; by promoting meaningful involvement in the life and work of the University; by heightening international, national, state and local awareness of SMU; and by supporting the enrollment of a diverse and able student body.

DEA comprises the offices of Office of the Vice President, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, Development Services, Program Services and Donor Relations, Marketing and Communications, Principal and Major Gifts, and School and Project Development.

About the Position:

The Senior Web Specialist supports the marketing plan for the University in alignment with Development and External Affairs goals and SMU’s strategic plan.

The position reports to the Associate Director of Digital Marketing and creates or maintains online solutions that help the University overall – and Development and External Affairs specifically – generate revenue and strengthen relationships with key audiences. Responsibilities include creating websites, emails and interactive online experiences that successfully engage alumni, donors, parents, prospective students and other constituents in a fresh creative way.

Essential Functions:

Web production and maintenance: Update websites and content as assigned, particularly the SMU homepage, Giving, Alumni, Administration, DEA, Facts and other SMU web properties as assigned.
Produce websites based on templates and designs provided by other team members using SMU's content management systems
Support ongoing marketing efforts for Alumni giving and relations.
Digital marketing development: Work with the department's leadership to develop websites and other communications for priority DEA clients, particularly Development and Alumni Affairs.
Collaborate effectively with Marketing and Communication designers, photographers, and writers.
Develop websites that build interest, deliver clear calls to action, encourage participation and respect audiences’ communication preferences. Keep leadership informed about activity, progress and decisions relevant to SMU websites and other communications.
Implement digital marketing tactics into websites as needed, focusing on browser event tracking and human interaction.
Update and maintain SMU design system code base.
Email Production: Support the development of email campaigns that build interest, deliver clear calls to action and respect audiences communication preferences.
Create email templates for various email service providers as needed, focusing on delivering self-service solutions that can be used without ongoing support from Digital Marketing.

Qualifications
Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of one year of work experience in web applications and responsive design development.

OR

A high school diploma and four years of work experience in web applications and responsive design development is required.

Experience working with responsive design templates for email marketing is preferred. Experience working in a fast-paced team environment with multiple deadlines desired.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

The ideal candidate will thrive in a work environment that requires strong problem-solving skills and independent self-direction, coupled with an aptitude for team collaboration and open communication. This individual excels at executing web, email, and UX/UI designs and contributing ideas that enhance the final product.

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must demonstrate strong organizational, planning and time management skills are essential. Must also have strong project management skills and ability to handle multiple projects.

Proficiency with HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript is required. Knowledge of using content management systems for creating and updating website content is also required; Sitecore preferred. Experience with coding for content management systems a plus. Familiarity with cross-platform and cross-browser issues is required.

Experience with integrating and implementing third-party APIs into web properties preferred. Familiarity with jQuery, React.js, and XHTML is desired. Familiarity with CMS such as Sitecore or WordPress a plus. Experience with Slate and Blackbaud is preferred.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply:

September 6, 2022.

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by August 22, 2022.

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

Primary Location: USA-TX-Dallas
Job: Marketing and Communications
Organization: DEA - Marketing and Communications
Schedule: Full-time
Shift: Day Job
Employee Status: Regular
Job Type: Staff
Job Level: Individual Contributor
Travel: No
Job Posting: Aug 10, 2022, 9:55:53 AM