Director, Web Strategy

collaboration to ensure Chapman’s websites align with strategic goals and delivers measurable results. This role is both strategic and operational—client-facing with campus leaders and hands-on with the internal web and other SMC team members.

Working in close partnership with designers, IT, digital marketing, and SMC leadership, this role manages a small team of developers responsible for creating and maintaining engaging, compliant, optimized, and performance-driven marketing websites and technology. The ideal candidate brings hands-on expertise in web technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, PHP, WordPress, GitHub, web service architecture, and DevOps—and is expected to be an emerging leader within SMC, contributing to the broader digital vision of the university.

This position is in person in Orange, CA. The successful candidate will be expected to be in the office fulltime.

Responsibilities

Strategic Web & MarTech Leadership

• At the direction of the Associate VP, develop and implement a comprehensive web strategy aligned with institutional marketing goals.
• Lead website governance to ensure brand consistency, usability, and accessibility across all digital properties.
• Partner and collaborate with marketing teams, content owners and creators to ensure engaging, high-quality, user-centered content and a seamless digital experience.
• Collaborate with IS&T & legal to ensure data privacy, security, and compliance with industry standards.
• Help facilitate the research, implementation, training and technical maintenance of our marketing technology stack.
• Clearly present to stakeholders with data and partner needs in mind.

Web Design, Development & Optimization

• Oversee website architecture, user experience (UX), and interface design (UI) to improve usability and engagement.
• Manage ongoing website enhancements, redesigns, and performance improvements.
• Lead the project management process for the web development team to ensure criteria and timelines are mapped out and met.
• Code websites using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, PHP, WordPress, GitHub, REST, APIs, and have a general understanding of other languages.
• Ensure the website is optimized for SEO, mobile responsiveness, and accessibility standards (WCAG).
• Manage the debugging process to ensure healthy and functioning marketing websites.
• Oversee content management system (CMS) governance, support, training, workflow, and best practices.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead and mentor a team of web design, development, UX/UI, content and analytics specialists.
• Manage relationships with external vendors, agencies, and technology partners.
• Work with SMC team members and other stakeholders for user testing and feedback needs.
• Work with IT and other campus partners in the procurement of new web & marketing technology.
• Ensure the documentation of new processes, technology, consistency guides, training materials, and style libraries.
• Participate in the hiring and performance evaluations of team members.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Analytics & Performance Measurement

• Establish KPIs and use data-driven insights to optimize the website for conversions and engagement.
• Conduct regular audits, usability testing, and competitive analysis to refine strategies.
• Implement A/B testing and personalization strategies to enhance user experience.
• Measure and report through analytics and other tracking systems.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, digital marketing, web development, UX design, or a related field preferred
• 6+ years of experience in web design/development, UX/UI and web strategy.
• 4+ years of experience in web programming using technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, PHP, MySQL, WordPress, GitHub, REST, APIs, and have a general understanding of REST, API design, web service architecture and other languages.
• Strong understanding of CMS platforms (e.g., WordPress, Drupal, Modern Campus), UX/UI best practices, and web technologies.
• Experience in web content optimization for SEO and improving engagement.
• Experience with marketing technologies including Salesforce Marketing Cloud (marketing automation), Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, dashboard, SEMrush and other tools to support marketing goals.
• Experience with tools like SiteImprove for accessibility standards (WCAG), compliance, and web security best practices.
• Proven leadership experience managing teams and cross-functional projects.
• Strong project management skills, with experience using tools like Asana, Jira, Trello, or any other project management system.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral and interpersonal skills. Ability to explain technology concepts in an understandable manner.

Desired Qualifications

• Strong commitment to customer service and teamwork.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and sometimes shifting priorities.
• Familiarity with marketing automation, CRM platforms, and personalization strategies.
• Experience in higher education and/or nonprofit sectors is a plus.

Special Instructions to Applicants

At Chapman University, we believe collaboration thrives through in-person engagement. This position is fully on campus, and employees work alongside colleagues, faculty, students, and staff each day to support our vibrant university community.

Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their protected characteristics. All qualified applicants and employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

Applicants for Staff and Administrator positions must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

The offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion and outcomes of a criminal background screening and returning to the Office of Human Resources a signed original acceptance of the Chapman University Agreement to Arbitrate