Web Designer & Digital Strategist

The Trustees of Union College in the Town of Schenectady in the State of New York; City of Schenectady (NY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous vacation, sick, and personal/

On-campus fitness facility access

403(b) retirement plan

Salary continuation in disability

Tuition exchange

Job summary

Union College in Schenectady, NY seeks a versatile Web Designer & Digital Strategist to own the college’s web presence. You’ll bridge visual design, content strategy, and light front-end work in a Drupal environment within a two-person web team reporting to the VP for Communications and Marketing.

The role requires 4–6+ years of digital/web design, a strong portfolio, and experience with Drupal, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Qualifications

• 4-6+ years of digital/web design experience.
• Strong entrepreneurial initiative and broad skill set.
• Experience with content strategy and digital storytelling.
• Hands-on CMS experience, preferably Drupal.
• Basic front-end coding: HTML, CSS, JavaScript.
• Collaborate with clients and cross-department teams.

Responsibilities

• End-to-End Web & Visual Design for responsive layouts and campaigns.
• Plan and refine digital content to support admissions goals.
• Manage and update site layouts in Drupal with light CSS/HTML tweaks.
• Maintain and evolve digital visual standards across channels.
• Collaborate with campus stakeholders to translate goals into web solutions.
• Support team initiatives and campus communications as needed.

Skills

Web design

UX/UI design

Content strategy

Drupal CMS

HTML/CSS/JS

Project management

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Drupal CMS

Google Analytics

Job description

We are seeking a versatile, energetic, and self-motivated Web Designer & Digital Strategist to take ownership of our web-based digital presence. As part of a small, nimble web team at Union, this is a unique "soup-to-nuts" opportunity for an entrepreneurial professional looking to make a direct impact.

Pay Status and Classification

Exempt, Regular Full-time. This position is not eligible for relocation assistance or visa sponsorship. Location: Hybrid available.

Position Purpose

In this role, you will bridge visual web design, digital content strategy, and light front-end execution in a Drupal environment. If you thrive in a collaborative environment where everyone wears multiple hats and you crave the opportunity to help shape your role to meet organizational goals, this position is for you. You will work as part of a two-person web team reporting to the Vice President for Communications and Marketing, and working in close collaboration with the Assistant VP for Content Strategy.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

• End-to-End Web & Visual Design: Conceptualize and design responsive web layouts, landing pages, digital campaign assets and user interfaces that align with the college's brand and admissions goals.
• Content Strategy & Digital Storytelling: Collaborate across departments to plan, structure, and refine digital content, ensuring site navigation, page architecture, and messaging effectively to students, faculty and alumni.
• Drupal Management & Light Front-End Work: Manage and update site layouts within our Drupal CMS, applying light CSS/HTML modifications and front-end tweaks to enhance user experience and maintain site aesthetics.
• Digital Brand Stewardship: Working with our CMO and AVP for Content Strategy, maintain and evolve digital visual standards, ensuring brand consistency across all public-facing digital channels.
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Serve as a strategic digital partner to internal campus stakeholders—helping translate their departmental goals into effective web solutions.
• All-Hands Pitching In: As part of a small team, step in where needed to support team initiatives, web initiatives, and broader campus communications.

Qualifications

• Experience: 4-6+ years of digital/web design experience, with flexibility for a high-energy candidate possessing strong entrepreneurial initiative and a broad skill set required.
• Visual & Web Design: Portfolio demonstrating clean web layout design, strong typography, intuitive UX/UI principles, and responsive design execution.
• Content Strategy Interest: Experience or strong interest in user journey mapping, content hierarchy, copy editing, and digital media strategy.
• CMS Experience: Hands-on experience working inside a Content Management System (Drupal experience is highly desirable).
• Technical Aptitude: Basic to intermediate front-end coding skills (HTML, CSS, basic JavaScript) to implement design tweaks and troubleshoot page layouts.
• Project Management skills: An ability to work collaboratively with clients to shepherd projects throughout the entire process.
• Adaptability & Initiative: Self-directed mindset with a desire to take ownership, solve diverse challenges, and shape a role in an "all hands on deck" higher education environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in higher education or working with non-profit / institutional brands.
• Familiarity with web accessibility guidelines (WCAG) in an academic setting.
• Basic experience with digital analytics (Google Analytics) or SEO best practices to inform content strategy decisions.
• Bachelor’s or other degree.

Compensation

The annual salary range for this position is $75,000 - $85,000. Except for roles with a set rate of pay, the wage/salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The stated hiring rate/range represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the rate/range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Location

Schenectady, NY

Benefits

• Generous Vacation, Sick, and Personal Time Winter Recess Break in Addition to Paid Holidays (in accordance with policy)
• Healthcare: Medical (PPO & HDHP), Dental, and Vision Insurance (Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts)
• Free On-Campus Fitness Facility Access and Discounts for On-Campus Wellness Programs
• Pre and Post Tax participation in a 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Salary Continuation Program in the event of Disability Tuition Exchange

Background Checks

In accordance with our background check policy, finalists for hire will undergo a background check that includes education, employment, and criminal convictions.

E-Verify Participation

Union College participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify and your Right to Work (Derecho a Trabajar).

Union College Overview

Union College Officially chartered in 1795, Union College is the fifth-oldest liberal arts college in the country. Located in the Capital District of New York State, Union is a highly selective residential and undergraduate college, home to 2,200 students and 220 faculty, and offering 44 majors. Union was the first liberal arts college to rethink the traditional liberal arts education and adopt an engineering curriculum. That pioneering approach continues today with an education that encourages students to work beyond the limits of disciplinary boundaries, allowing them to think globally and lead innovatively in a world where problem-solving requires breadth across humanities, arts, social sciences, science, and engineering.

Accommodations

If you require an accommodation throughout the interview process, please don't hesitate to contact our Human Resources department at [e-mail] or 518-388-6108. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates have equal access to opportunities and can participate in a fair and inclusive hiring process.

Diversity

Union College is an equal-opportunity employer and is strongly committed to student and workforce diversity. Increasing diversity on campus is a critical priority for Union, one that is integral to our mission of preparing students for a globally interconnected world. Union provides a blend of intellectual, social, and cultural opportunities to facilitate the integrated academic, social, and personal development of a diverse community. We value and are committed to a host of diverse populations and cultures including, but not limited to, those based on race, religion, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, and veteran status. Union College is committed to providing access and will provide reasonable accommodation in its application process to individuals with disabilities who request such accommodations.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Union College will not discriminate in the recruitment or selection of faculty and employees, or in any other area of employment, on the basis of age, sex, race, national origin, religion, religious belief, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and veteran status. In this regard, opportunities for advancement will be made available without bias. Union College will comply with the letter and intent of all State and Federal laws and applicable orders pursuant to Equal Employment Opportunity.