Web User Experience & Content Architecture Specialist -

Western Carolina University; Cullowhee (NC); On-site; USD 68,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Carolina University seeks a Web User Experience and Content Architecture Specialist to transform institutional information into audience-centered digital experiences. You will structure content, improve usability, accessibility, and discoverability, working with campus partners and developers.

The role emphasizes information architecture, SEO, and accessibility practices to support AI-driven systems and search engines while enhancing user journeys across university websites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field.
• Experience translating stakeholder needs into navigation structures and UX deliverables.
• Experience with content architecture, page structures, wireframes, and site maps.

Responsibilities

• Transform institutional information into clear, audience-centered digital experiences.
• Collaborate with campus partners, content professionals, and web developers to improve usability and discoverability.
• Apply information architecture, accessibility, SEO, and AEO practices to improve search and user understanding.

Skills

UX principles

Information architecture

Content design

Accessibility & WCAG

SEO / AEO basics

Navigation structures

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in UX / HCI / CS or related field

Tools

Content Management System

HTML / CSS

Job description

Department

Department Marketing

Anticipated Hiring Range

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes ‘Best Employers’ lists each year. Including:

• 2025 – Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list.
• 2024 – Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
• 2023 – Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
• 2022 – Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list.

Western Carolina University is the UNC system’s westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South. Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans – eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available. Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service. WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences – many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).

The Web User Experience & Content Architecture Specialist transforms existing institutional information into clear, audience-centered digital experiences. The specialist organizes and structures content to create effective user journeys while applying information architecture, accessibility, search engine optimization (SEO), and answer engine optimization (AEO) practices to improve how university information is discovered and understood by people, search engines, and AI-driven systems.

Working within the Web and Digital Content team, the position collaborates with campus partners, content professionals, and web developers to improve the organization, usability, accessibility, and discoverability of university websites.

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of user experience, information architecture, and content design principles, including navigation, hierarchy, and labeling used to organize website content around audience needs.
• Knowledge of web accessibility, usability, semantic content structure, and inclusive-design principles, including familiarity with applicable W3C and WCAG standards.
• Knowledge of SEO and emerging AEO practices, including how content structure supports discovery and understanding by people, search engines, and AI-driven systems.
• Ability to organize complex information into clear navigation, content hierarchies, user journeys, page structures, site maps, wireframes, or comparable planning materials.
• Ability to evaluate website content, audience feedback, usability findings, and available data to identify issues and recommend practical improvements.
• Ability to explain recommendations and coordinate website improvements with technical and non-technical partners.

Minimum Qualifications

• Interested candidates must already be legally authorized to work in the United States and will not require any immigration sponsorship or support.
• Bachelor’s degree in a field related to the position; or an equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and professional experience that demonstrates equivalent preparation in user experience, information architecture, content design, web design, or related digital work. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
• Demonstrated experience gathering stakeholder or audience needs and translating them into navigation structures, user journeys, site maps, wireframes, page architectures, or comparable UX and information-architecture deliverables.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting large or content-rich websites involving multiple audiences, stakeholders, or content owners.
• Experience using a content management system and developing information architecture, content structures, site maps, wireframes, or comparable web-planning materials.
• Experience using web analytics, site-search data, usability findings, audience feedback, or similar evidence to inform website improvements.
• Familiarity with WCAG, semantic HTML, HTML / CSS, SEO, AEO, and accessible and responsive web practices.

Position Type

Permanent Full-Time

Number of Hours Per Week

40

Number of Months Per Year

12

Background/E-Verify

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.

Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

EOE

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call [phone] or email at [e-mail].

University Safety

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• List of references

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you require sponsorship?
  • Yes
  • No
• This is an on-site position and requires the employee to work in Cullowhee, NC during scheduled work hours. Are you willing and able to work on-site as required?
  • Yes
  • No