Associate Director of Web Strategy & Experience

Champlain College; Burlington (VT); Hybrid; USD 78,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Tuition benefits

401(k) with matching

Paid time off

Wellness programs

EAP

Job summary

Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont is seeking an Associate Director of Web Strategy & Experience to translate enrollment and brand goals into user‑centered web experiences. You will lead strategy, governance, information architecture, and UX while maintaining the integrity of the college’s CMS and digital ecosystem.

As a core member of the marketing leadership team, you’ll collaborate with content, creative, and marketing automation teams, ensure accessibility, and drive analytics, SEO,

Qualifications

• Degree required in a related field.
• Experience leading large-scale web properties in education or complex environments.
• Proven ability to translate UX and content into cohesive digital experiences.
• Strong knowledge of web analytics and SEO concepts.
• Familiarity with accessibility standards and CMS platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of central web strategy aligned with institutional goals.
• Own web governance, roles, workflows, and standards for collaboration.
• Directly manage a portion of staff and provide performance guidance.
• Maintain information architecture, global navigation, and key user journeys.
• Oversee analytics, SEO, and optimization initiatives for priority pages.

Skills

Web strategy

Governance

UX design

Information architecture

Accessibility

Analytics

SEO

Cross‑functional collaboration

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Digital Media, Information Science, UX Design, or related field

Tools

GA4

SEMRush

BrightEdge

Drupal/WordPress

HTML/CSS/JavaScript basics

Job description

Own the web experience that turns curiosity into commitment. As a key member of our performance marketing team, the Associate Director of Web Strategy & Experience translates institutional, enrollment, and brand goals into user-centered web experiences. In this role, you’ll lead strategy, governance, information architecture, and user experience, while ensuring the operational health, technical integrity, and continual improvement of the college’s enterprise CMS and its associated digital ecosystem.

As a core member of the marketing leadership team, this role reports to the Senior Director of Marketing and works closely with the Director of Business Architecture Solutions & Web Development and peer associate directors in Content, Creative, and Marketing Automation.

Key Responsibilities

Web Strategy, Governance & Leadership

• Lead the development and continuous refinement of web strategy for central marketing‑managed properties, aligning web experiences with institutional objectives, enrollment targets, and brand positioning
• Own the web governance framework - roles, workflows, and standards - defining how web, content, creative, marketing automation, and campus partners collaborate on planning, creation, review, and publication to support the user experience
• Directly manage and develop .5 FTEs, providing clear direction, performance oversight, and professional growth opportunities
• Co‑lead or participate in web and digital governance forums that set priorities and ensure adherence to brand, accessibility, and compliance expectations

User Experience, Information Architecture & Accessibility

• Own information architecture, global navigation, and key user flows for central web properties, using research, analytics, and stakeholder input to optimize journeys for prospective students and other priority audiences
• Translate strategic and campaign goals into UX requirements, wireframes, and page-level experience blueprints that guide writers and designers
• Ensure accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1 AA, ADA/Section 504) are embedded into web patterns, templates, and review processes
• Partner with the Associate Creative Director to maintain a consistent, brand‑aligned web design system, balancing performance and accessibility with creative innovation

Analytics, SEO & Optimization

• Own the web analytics framework and KPIs for central web properties, measuring traffic, engagement, conversion, and content performance to support leadership decision‑making
• Lead SEO, AIO, and GEO strategy, coordinating with web development, content, and creative leadership to integrate keyword targeting, on‑page optimization, and technical considerations into planning and production
• Champion continual improvement through A/B testing, human‑centered design, UX research, and heatmapping tools on priority pages and flows

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Operations

• Advise the Senior Director of Marketing and Director of Business Architecture Solutions/Web Development on strategic web optimizations, UX requirements, resource needs, and partnership opportunities
• Partner with peer associate directors in Content, Creative, and Marketing Automation to deliver cohesive, high-performing digital journeys
• Oversee intake and prioritization of web work, balancing strategic projects, campaign needs, SEO/AIO/GEO, ADA compliance, and ongoing maintenance
• Serve as the primary marketing-side leader for collaboration with IT and external vendors on web platforms, infrastructure, performance, integrations, and security

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Digital Media, Information Science, UX Design, or a related field
• 3-5 years of experience leading or managing large-scale web properties in marketing, communications, or digital experience roles, preferably in higher education or similarly complex environments
• Proven experience integrating UX, content, creative, and automation considerations into cohesive digital experiences that support enrollment and brand goals
• Deep understanding of web UX, information architecture, and responsive design, and how they intersect with content strategy, creative direction, and marketing automation
• Strong knowledge of web analytics (GA4) and SEO/AIO/GEO concepts (SEMRush, BrightEdge), with ability to translate data into clear recommendations
• Working knowledge of accessibility standards (WCAG/ADA/Section 504), an enterprise CMS platform (Drupal/WordPress), and front‑end code (HTML, CSS, basic JavaScript)
• Experience with major website upgrades or migrations, including quality assurance and functionality reviews
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and change management skills with a track record of aligning diverse stakeholders around shared digital priorities
• Strong organizational and prioritization abilities, comfortable managing multiple concurrent initiatives

Working Arrangements

• Full-time, hybrid position based at our main campus in Burlington, VT. Remote work arrangement considered for the right candidate.
• Standard business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm) with occasional evening or weekend hours for special events
• Comfortable office environment with extensive computer use

Compensation & Benefits

Annual Salary: $78,000 - $85,000

Comprehensive Benefits Package

• Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance with HSA and FSA options
• Paid Time Off: 16 holidays, 4 weeks of vacation, 2 weeks sick time, and 2 days of personal leave
• Retirement: 403(b) plan with 3% employer matching contribution
• Education: Tuition benefits for employees and family members
• Wellness: Gym discount and Wellness programs with up to $300 annual incentives
• Welfare: Short-term and long-term disability coverage, plus life insurance
• Other Perks: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with counseling services, access to employee discounts and local/national benefit programs

Champlain College does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, religion, age, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, veteran or military service status, HIV‑positive status, qualified disability, or on the basis of any other status protected by law, and does not discriminate in the administration of its education and admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, employment practices or co‑curricular and other College‑administered programs. Champlain College will make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified students, applicants for admission or employment, or employees.

Champlain College is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming community. We believe that bringing together individuals with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences enriches education and strengthens our community. At Champlain, all members are valued as individuals and respected for their unique contributions.

About Us

Founded in 1878, Champlain College is a small, private, not‑for‑profit college in Burlington, Vermont overlooking Lake Champlain and the Adirondack mountains. Its career‑driven approach to higher education prepares students for professional life from their very first semester. For the fifth year in a row, Champlain was named a “Most Innovative School” in the North by U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” 2020 regional rankings and ranked #9 on The Princeton Review’s “2025 Top Schools for Game Design.”