Director, Web Services

Director, Web Services

Our client is a prestigious university in the Greater Chicago area and we are currently seeking a Director to lead their internal Web studio services team.  We are seeking a strong leader with digital marketing and communications experience to lead a highly creative, innovative and collaborative team. The web services group is responsible for all web design and development, IT, content creation, security, accessibility and maintenance across all internal and external websites.  The role is within the IT Services Group and aligns closely with marketing and communications.

The Director is a key liaison to department leaders across the University. Within IT Services, the director must to work with peer groups to identify and achieve shared goals. In the University at large, the director must build upon strong relationships with clients and leaders. For example, Web Services partners with the Office of the VPs of Marketing and Communications to set direction and goals for the main University web presence, but also to design standards and approaches that span websites, editorial, and multimedia services. Web Services also works closely with the Dean of Students to set priorities and goals for student applications development, and the Alumni Relations Director and others.

Web Services serves as an internal digital agency in developing and implementing web strategies and projects. The Director plays a key leadership role setting the vision and developing digital strategies through innovative and creative uses of current and emerging web technologies.

Role & Responsibilities

• Manage the web services group and oversee web strategy and operations.
• Sets the vision and strategic plans for the University's main web site and central web-based
  services such as the campus events calendar, portal, website template service and more.
• Directs development of websites and web applications for many departments, divisions, institutes, and administrative units university wide.
• Develops best practices for web design and development, and mobile applications strategies.
• Works closely with team leaders to define and implement technical, design, and policy standards.
• Develops business plan, annual budget and timelines for website functions and digital initiatives.
• Oversees operational activities of the website(s) with specific attention aimed at content creation and website maintenance.
• Ensures reliable operation of web services, including prompt reaction to, and resolution of, production problems and clear, timely communication of special circumstances to the affected constituencies.  
• Be the subject matter expert on developing web technologies and best practices in the fields of web design, development, security, and accessibility.
• Fosters collaboration and ideation within the team to proactively develop digital communications to improve and build upon existing programs.
• Actively engages with peers and leaders in both the digital and higher education communities to share best practices and be abreast of new technologies.
  
  Key Requirements
• Minimum seven years of professional experience in an IT environment required.
• Minimum of five years of experience specifically in large, complex website and web application design, development, and support, including at least four years of experience in management.
• Experience juggling the needs of multiple constituencies in a complex organizational environment required.  
• Ability to develop reliable estimates of effort and costs for projects and activities.
• Excellent record of working with senior leadership and clients to understand and articulate business processes, data, and priorities as well as to help develop enterprise strategies required.
• Solid understanding of a variety of technologies and options for website and web application development, deployment, monitoring, and support; for web content management; and for ensuring the security of web applications required.
• Clear understanding of the principles of good user interface design and web accessibility.
• Excellent leadership and political skills, including the ability to bring differing factions together to reach decisions in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated supervisory and staff management skills, including the ability to manage budgets successfully.
• Sufficiently broad and deep technical knowledge to understand and deal with technical issues involved in major University-­ wide web applications, or the demonstrated ability to work well with technical expertise, required.
• Excellence in the evaluation, negotiation and implementation of vendor software packages including content management, security tools, etc. is highly preferred.
• BA required and advanced degree desired.

If you are interested and your experience and expertise meet the requirements, please submit a cover letter, resume and salary history.

Please see our website for current Paladin opportunities.  Thank you!