Director, Web Strategy & Development

Chapman University; California; On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Chapman University seeks a Director of Web Strategy & Development to lead the vision, strategy, and execution of the university’s digital web ecosystem. The role drives a major digital transformation, including a flagship website redesign, governance modernization, and scalable experiences for key audiences.

The position is in person in Orange, CA and requires full-time, in-office presence to partner with campus leaders and stakeholders across units.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading web strategy and digital transformation initiatives.
• Experience guiding architecture, design, and development of large-scale web ecosystems.
• Ability to translate business needs into scalable digital solutions.
• Strong collaboration with marketing, IS&T, and campus partners to ensure governance, security, and accessibility.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategy, roadmap, and execution of the university’s web presence.
• Lead website governance for brand, usability, accessibility, and technical excellence.
• Collaborate with marketing, content owners, and creators for quality content and seamless UX.
• Ensure platforms meet security, privacy, accessibility, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee marketing tech stack research, implementation, and training.
• Communicate digital strategy and performance with data-driven insights.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Web strategy

Cross-functional collaboration

UX/UI leadership

Security & compliance

SEO & accessibility

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

HTML/CSS/JavaScript

WordPress

GitHub

REST/APIs

Job description

Job Description

The Director, Web Strategy & Development is a strategic leader responsible for shaping the vision, strategy, and execution of Chapman University’s web ecosystem. This role drives the evolution of the university’s digital presence by delivering engaging, accessible, high-performing, and user-centered web experiences that advance institutional priorities, strengthen the Chapman brand, and support enrollment, engagement, and reputation.

This position requires a unique blend of strategic leadership, technical expertise, web design and development experience, and cross-functional collaboration. The Director partners with campus leaders and stakeholders to translate business needs into scalable digital solutions while leading the ongoing development, optimization, and governance of the university’s web platforms. The role is both strategic and operational, serving as a trusted advisor to university leadership while remaining closely connected to the technical direction, architecture, and implementation of the web ecosystem.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a major digital transformation, including the redesign of Chapman’s flagship website, modernization of web governance, and the development of scalable digital experiences that serve key audiences.

This position is in person in Orange, CA. The successful candidate will be expected to be in full-time in office.

Responsibilities

Strategic Web & MarTech Leadership

• Drive the strategy, roadmap, and execution of the university’s web presence aligned with institutional marketing and enrollment goals.
• Lead website governance to ensure brand consistency, usability, and accessibility, and technical excellence 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, and other campus partners to ensure web platforms meet security, privacy, accessibility, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Help facilitate the research, implementation, training and technical maintenance of our marketing technology stack.
• Build trusted relationships with campus leaders and communicate digital strategy, performance, and recommendations through data-driven insights, clear presentations, and actionable roadmaps.

Web Design, Development & Optimization

• Lead the strategy, architecture, design, development, and continuous optimization of Chapman’s web ecosystem to deliver exceptional, user-centered digital experiences.
• Oversee website architecture, user experience (UX), and interface design (UI) to improve usability, engagement, and conversion.
• Direct the planning, prioritization, and execution of website enhancements, redesigns, platform upgrades, and performance optimization initiatives.
• Lead the web development team’s project intake, prioritization, resource planning, and delivery to ensure projects are completed on time and within scope.
• Code websites usingHTML,CSS, JavaScript, jQuery,PHP, WordPress, GitHub,REST, APIs, and have a general understanding of other languages.
• Ensure all digital experiences are optimized forSEO, 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 withSMCteam 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