Director of Web Strategy and Development

Closing Date:

University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith is a dynamic, mid-sized public university that's redefining higher education. We're on a mission to provide transformative, hands-on learning experiences for students of all backgrounds and aspirations. Our multi-faceted approach to education offers a wealth of opportunities, with over 70 academic programs, including certificates, associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees. We're committed to building a diverse community that mirrors Arkansas's rich tapestry, reflecting our dedication to serving the state's varied population while enhancing the quality of our institution.

As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life, and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10 percent of employee salary.

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Nestled along the Arkansas River, this vibrant city offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of the Old West at the Fort Smith National Historic Site, explore the eclectic local art scene, or take a scenic stroll along the picturesque riverfront trails. With a welcoming community, diverse dining options, and a thriving downtown, Fort Smith is the ideal destination for history enthusiasts and those seeking modern amenities.

Thank you for your interest in joining our university. Below you will find details for the position including any supplementary documentation and/or questions you should review before submitting your application. For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at (479) 788-7080.

If you have a disability and need assistance with the hiring process please contact Human Resources at 479-788-7080. Applicants are required to submit a request for each position to which they have applied.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in web development, information technology, digital media, marketing communications, or a related field.

• Minimum four years of progressively responsible web development experience.

• Minimum one year of project leadership or supervisory experience.

• Portfolio or examples of professional web development work required.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master's degree in a related field.

• Experience in higher education or a comparable institutional environment.

• Experience leading a website redesign or large-scale platform migration.

• Experience developing and enforcing enterprise web governance standards.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

(45%) Web Architecture and Development Leadership

• Serve as the university's primary web developer and technical architect.

• Lead development, customization, and maintenance within the university's enterprise content management and catalog platforms.

• Design and maintain reusable templates, components, and content modules aligned with university brand standards and accessibility requirements.

• Oversee and support integration between the website and the university's customer relationship management system to support recruitment and engagement goals.

• Ensure responsive design standards and performance optimization across devices and platforms.

• Implement technical SEO best practices, including metadata standards, structured data, and site architecture optimization.

• Maintain code integrity through established version control and development workflows.

• Serve as primary liaison to hosting and platform vendors, ensuring uptime, performance and security standards are maintained.

(20%) Web Strategy, Governance, and Optimization

• Develop and implement web strategy aligned with institutional priorities and enrollment objectives.

• Establish and maintain web governance standards, documentation, and policies for distributed content management.

• Lead accessibility compliance efforts in alignment with WCAG Level AA standards and evolving regulations.

• Conduct regular audits of site performance, content quality, accessibility, and user experience.

• Partner with Enrollment Management, University Marketing, and Communications to optimize recruitment funnels and digital user journeys.

(20%) Analytics, Reporting, and Performance Measurement

• Implement and manage web analytics platforms and tagging frameworks.

• Develop dashboards and reporting tools to measure user engagement, conversion rates, and campaign performance.

• Establish tracking mechanisms to evaluate organic search, paid media, and CRM-driven initiatives.

• Translate data insights into actionable recommendations for university leadership and campus partners.

(10%) Leadership and Collaboration

• Supervise the Web Manager and support professional development and performance management.

• Provide training and guidance to distributed content editors across campus.

• Collaborate with marketing, enrollment, advancement, academic units, and administrative offices to support web initiatives.

• Present web strategy updates and performance insights to leadership as needed.

(5%) Professional Engagement and Continuous Improvement

• Stay current with trends in higher education web strategy, digital accessibility, SEO, analytics, AI-influenced search behavior, and user experience.

• Participate in relevant professional development and training opportunities.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

This position is responsible for fostering a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced proficiency in HTML5, CSS3, and modern JavaScript.

• Experience with CMS template architecture and enterprise-level content management systems.

• Experience integrating web platforms with customer relationship management systems.

• Strong understanding of technical SEO principles and structured data implementation.

• Advanced knowledge of web accessibility standards and usability best practices.

• Experience implementing and managing web analytics tools and tagging systems.

• Familiarity with version control systems and established development workflows.

• Strong understanding of responsive frameworks and performance optimization techniques.

• Ability to translate technical concepts into clear guidance for nontechnical audiences.

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex web initiatives independently in a remote or distributed environment.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high standards of quality and accuracy.

Additional Information:

Supervision

Reports to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Marketing.
Supervises: Web Manager.

Working Relationships

Works within the University Advancement division and collaborates regularly with academic and administrative units across campus. Maintains frequent contact with faculty, staff, and university leadership.

Special Job Dimensions

The regular work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with flexibility as required by project deadlines and institutional priorities. This position may be performed remotely; however, periodic travel to campus may be required. Occasional travel to professional conferences or training sessions may also be required.

Work is performed in an office or professional remote setting. The employee must be able to collaborate effectively in both in-person and virtual environments. The position requires extended time at a computer and the ability to move about campus during on-site visits. The employee may occasionally lift items over 10 pounds.

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Sitehttps://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

This position may be subject to a pre-employment criminal background check, sex offender registry check, financial history background check, and/or drug screening. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication and/or adverse financial history alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background checks and drug screening information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.