Senior Web Developer, Digital Communications

University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Web Developer at the University of Chicago Advancement Digital Communications team leads front-end web initiatives and acts as the technical lead for digital experiences. You will analyze, design, develop, and debug HTML/CSS and CMS-based pages, guiding teams to deliver accessible, brand-aligned digital content across platforms.

You will mentor developers, collaborate with designers and marketers, and ensure high-quality implementations of websites, web pages, and email templates

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains CMS-based websites and digital experiences (Drupal, WordPress), coordinating with hosting, infrastructure, and platform administration.
• Provides senior-level technical leadership, mentorship, coaching, and guidance to developers within Advancement Digital Communications.
• Serves as the primary technical resource and lead for digital communications platforms, translating requirements into front-end and CMS-based solutions.
• Develops and maintains HTML email templates and other email marketing assets with accessibility, responsiveness, and brand adherence.
• Creates responsive, accessible digital experiences across desktop, mobile, email, and other supported platforms with cross-browser compatibility.
• Manages project scope, timelines, deliverables, risks, and stakeholder communications for web and email development work.
• Advocates for projects by suggesting alternative solutions and training staff and users; shares knowledge across teams.
• Collaborates with designers, content strategists, marketers, writers, and email/social teams to translate creative and marketing goals into effective front-end solutions.

Job description

Department

ADV Digital Communications

About the Department

The University of Chicago Advancement team cultivates lifelong connections with more than 220,000 alumni, current students, parents, and friends worldwide, building community through intellectual, professional, and other meaningful experiences on campus, around the world and online. Advancement empowers every division, school, department, and institute to thrive, generating support for esteemed faculty, pioneering researchers, visionary practitioners, and ambitious students.

During the Chicago Minds campaign, Advancement seeks to raise over $1 billion annually. This unprecedented philanthropic effort is designed to stretch the boundaries of what is possible, fueling bold discovery and amplifying the University's global impact.

Our work is rooted in the belief that meaningful connection and lasting experiences inspire ambassadorship and enduring commitment. We champion a culture of innovation and excellence, inviting every member of our community to participate in a future defined by creativity, intellectual rigor, and shared purpose. Through collaborative partnerships, strategic stewardship, and investment in talent, Advancement is reimagining alumni and donor engagement while ensuring UChicago remains a catalyst of impact for generations to come.

The Advancement Digital Communications team

The Advancement Digital Communications team is responsible for digital marketing deliverables such as email, websites, web forms, online giving and social media. The team collaborates with design and editorial teams as well as program managers to develop and deploy digital marketing communications.

Job Summary

The Senior Web Developer serves as the front-end technical lead for digital communications experiences and web development initiatives within the Communications team. This position combines hands‑on production work with creative collaboration, team leadership, and digital marketing technology expertise. Analyzes, designs, develops, debugs, and modifies HTML code for web content and email communications. Guides the development and implementation of websites, web pages, enterprise email platforms. Partners with Communications leadership and colleagues to translate creative, content, and marketing goals into effective digital experiences.

This role leads and provides expertise to the development of programs for activities relating to software support and/or development. Analyzes, designs, develops, debugs, and modifies computer code for end user applications, beta general releases, and production support. Manages development and implementation of applications, web pages, and user‑interfaces using a variety of software applications, techniques, and tools. Solves complex problems in administration, maintenance, integration, and troubleshooting of code and application ecosystem currently in production.

This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored employment authorization.

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains CMS-based websites and digital experiences (Drupal, WordPress, and other platforms used by Advancement Communications), including content publishing workflows, front-end performance, and future platform implementations, in coordination with Advancement Technology on hosting, infrastructure, and platform administration.
• Provides senior-level technical leadership, mentorship, coaching, and guidance to developers within Advancement Digital Communications.
• Serves as the primary technical resource and technical lead for the Communications team on all digital communications platforms, websites, and web applications within Advancement Digital Communications, translating approved requirements into front-end and CMS-based solutions.
• Develops and maintains HTML email templates and other email marketing assets in partnership with the email marketing team, ensuring compatibility, accessibility, responsiveness, and adherence to brand and communications standards.
• Develops responsive, accessible, user-centered digital experiences across desktop, mobile, email, and other supported platforms that follow established accessibility, usability, SEO, responsive design, and cross-browser standards.
• Manages project scope, timelines, deliverables, risk, and stakeholder communications for Communications web and email development work, ensuring quality assurance, quality control, and successful project execution.
• Serves as an advocate for selected projects by suggesting alternative solutions, areas for further exploration, and appropriate staff and user training.
• Serves as a resource across multiple Communications projects, helps determine appropriate technical approaches, and builds team capacity through knowledge sharing, training, code reviews, and technical demonstrations.
• Partners early in the creative and communications process with designers, content strategists, marketers, writers, email specialists, social media professionals, and other team members to translate creative, communications, marketing, and