Eastern Washington University
University Marketing and Communications
Manager of University Web Development
Job Description
Supervisor: Dave Sonntag, Director of University Marketing and Communications
Primary Purpose:
Build and manage a new, centralized web development team for Eastern Washington University. This team
will include web programmer(s), web designer(s), a multimedia specialist and a student web developer.
This position requires a thorough understanding of web, electronic media and marketing principles, a keen
sense of future trends in the field, comprehensive technical knowledge, strong aesthetic and editorial
sensibilities, the ability to work effectively with writers and graphic designers, strong skills in managing
projects and people and proven diplomatic, leadership and public speaking skills.
Primary responsibilities include partnering with Eastern’s Enterprise Systems Department (Information
Technology Unit) to evaluate the University’s current website and lead an initiative to update the site’s
design, technology and navigation to support and drive Eastern’s branding initiative, strategic plan,
advancement campaign and student enrollment goals. This effort will require strong team-building and
consensus-building skills to bring multiple constituents together around a comprehensive University-wide
web strategy.
The position will also provide project management for web and online communications projects, manage
web properties to assure quality and accessibility of sites and services, design and execute electronic
communications plans and assist in the execution of new strategic online initiatives.
Essential Functions:
Builds and supervises a team of web programmers, designers and multimedia specialists.
Maintains and builds upon a partnership with University Enterprise Systems to lead a comprehensive
evaluation and update of Eastern’s website.
Works with Enterprise Systems to establish web policies concerning publishing content, design and
navigation.
Oversees the planning and development of web-based applications and tools that communicate with internal
and external audiences.
Provides creative support and integrated marketing communications development for Eastern’s
Advancement Unit (alumni; development; marketing and strategic communication) as well as colleges and
departments across the University.
Works to develop new vehicles of electronic outreach to constituencies in adapting print material/content to
the web, ensuring they are attractive, user-friendly, and consistent with related publications.
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Works closely with University print designers and writers to ensure that content and design meet marketing
and communication standards and goals.
Required knowledge, skills and abilities:
The Marketing and Communications Web Manager must have a strong combination of communications,
analytical, creative and technical abilities, as well as excellent leadership and project management skills.
Experience supervising a team of web developers.
Experience overseeing the website and technology of a multifaceted, multi-constituency organization.
Experience planning and implementing marketing and communications plans and strategies.
Strong knowledge of graphic design field.
Strong XHTML, CSS and JavaScript and ability to work with modern web standards.
PHP background/experience.
Knowledge of XML/XSLT, Coldfusion and other web programming/formatting languages a plus.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Able to multitask and meet deadlines.
Ability to work well with a wide range of University constituents, both internal and external.
Experience in transferring print publications to the web.
Knowledge of best practices in the use of e-commerce, secure payment gateway and transaction.
Experience working with complex content management systems.
Computer proficiency in: Apple, PC and Linux/Unix environments; Adobe photoshop, Macromedia
Dreamweaver (preferably, MX 2004 or 8), Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft PowerPoint or other equivalent
graphical presentation software, Audio/Video streaming and compression. Adobe Indesign and/or
Macromedia Flash/Actionscript experience a plus.
Knowledge of Web and database integration techniques using various platforms, i.e. PostgreSQL, MSQL,
Access and Filemaker.
Ability and interest to learn new web skills when needed.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in marketing, public relations, visual communication design, communications, graphic
design or a similar field.
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A master’s degree that further compliments the incumbent’s ability to ground practice in theory, research and
evaluation methods is preferred.
Applicant must have a minimum of five years experience in one or a combination of the following:
marketing and communications functions, graphic design, multimedia, web development.
A minimum of three year’s experience managing/supervising other team members is required.
Decision Making Authority
This position will have great decision making responsibility regarding management of team members,
University web policy and implementation of web strategies impacting all University employees and
constituents.
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