ABOUT THE POSITION:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.
We are seeking a candidate with SiteCore website experience who can internalize SMU’s brand voice, adapt to ever-evolving trends and be accountable for content creation, GA4 analytics, and general website management as they build and execute a website content strategy for alumni-centric platforms within SMU’s Annual Giving and Alumni Relations (AGAR) department, partnering closely with SMU’s flagship website presence. Our ideal candidate is an engaging marketing storyteller who understands how to create, glean and organize website content tailored to alumni audiences and use the technical insights they glean to develop strategy that further engages our 130,000+ alumni to deepen their SMU journey. This role couples advanced knowledge of modern back-end web programming and workflow processes with front-end expertise. This position reports to the Director of Direct Marketing on SMU’s AGAR team within Development and External Affairs.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree is required. Degree in Digital Media, Public Relations, Marketing, Web Design, or related field preferred.
A minimum of 2 years of experience is required. Creative and project management experience required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.
Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.
Candidate must have the ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a highly deadline-driven environment.
Candidate must have professional work experience with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, XML PHP, MySQL, Sitecore, and CMS.
Candidate must have expert experience and knowledge of SEO (SEMRush preferred).
Candidate must have experience extrapolating and incorporating analytics insights.
Candidate must have experience with Google analytics (GA4).
Candidate must have experience with Monday.com or other project management software.
Candidate must have high creativity and ability to generate innovative ideas for engaging content.

• Strategy Development and Content Creation: Work collaboratively with Annual Giving & Alumni Relations (AGAR), central SMU marketing and other stakeholders to develop and execute ongoing, integrated, best-in-class web strategies that align with the department’s goals of increasing alumni engagement, driving event attendance and promoting giving. Regularly concept, create, source & manage integrated content from other SMU websites and social channels (i.e., Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, etc.) that reflects the culture and accomplishments of SMU today as well as its alumni in alignment with AGAR’s’ strategic plan and vision. Work with DEA’s marketing and communications team and other vendors to ensure all outbound content meets University style and standards and ensure consistent messaging and tone. Collaborate with team members on content to acquire appropriate assets, generate proofs and test sites, and publish final products. Follow emerging trends and best practices in strategy development.
• Web design and management: Use expertise to create and implement improved web design and functionality for multiple alumni-focused websites and pages intended for philanthropic, engagement or informational purposes. This includes writing HTML, CSS, PHP and other related web programming, accessing web servers and other web applications to integrate content across different platforms. As the department’s technical liaison, collaborate with SMU colleagues to ensure all websites are accurate, integrated & up to date. Organize structure and deploy content and updates for internal websites or other alumni-focused web portals, including SharePoint portals, event platforms, volunteer portals, and other web projects as assigned.
• Regularly analyze web/online analytics, track key performance metrics and develop monthly reports on the effectiveness of web content and strategy. Use reporting to inform web recommendations and improvements that support a strategy for developing and creating an alumni community on the Web. Regularly incorporate data-driven insights on campaign performance into actionable feedback for key AGAR stakeholders to help drive effectiveness, provide real-time strategy adjustments.
• Actively engage in benchmarking with campus partners and internal AGAR colleagues to glean content, timelines, insights and best practices that results in a well-coordinated, cohesive message to our alumni and parent audiences. Work closely with SMU’s in-house media relations teams - attending regular meetings and sharing insights gleaned through AGAR channels - to stay informed about technical and content updates.
• Assists the Director of Direct Marketing and other colleagues within AGAR in management of multimedia and social media accounts. This may include account user management, content creation and planning, account monitoring and analytics across platforms.
• Other duties as assigned as an integral team member within the Annual Giving and Alumni Relations department. This may include attending events to support alumni, parent, student and donor engagement and fundraising, providing reports to board members, leading meetings to help team members develop best practices, etc.
• Occasional evening and/or weekend work is required.
  Qualifications