Assistant Director of Websites -- Gies College of Business

Office of Marketing & Communications

Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois is seeking applicants for the Assistant Director of Websites position to join our team of 30 plus marketing and communications professionals. If hired, you will work closely with marketing managers, writers, designers and others on the MarCom team that serves the entire college.

The MarCom team plays a pivotal role in promoting the College's work to shape purposeful leaders through life-changing access to education, research, and innovation. Creativity, strategy, and collaboration are keys to our team's success as we grow the reputation and brand of Gies Business, a Top 5 public business school. As Assistant Director of Websites you'll be a key strategist and drive implementation of effective website channels.

Job Summary

The Assistant Director of Websites is a crucial member of the marketing team, responsible for the overall management, maintenance, optimization, and strategic direction of the college's websites. This role requires a blend of technical understanding, marketing acumen, project management skills, and strategic thinking to ensure the website effectively supports the college's recruitment, branding, communication, and overall strategic goals. Reporting directly to the Director of Marketing, the Assistant Director of Websites will serve as a key strategic partner in shaping the college's digital presence, collaborating closely with the Director, the broader marketing team, and the tech team to deliver a user-friendly, visually appealing, high-performing, and strategically aligned online experience for prospective students, current students, alumni, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders.

DUTIES

Strategic Planning and Vision:

In direct collaboration with the Director of Marketing, develop and implement a comprehensive website strategy for Gies web properties that aligns with the college's overall marketing and strategic objectives. Work closely with the Director of Marketing to define clear goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) for the websites, tracking progress and making data-driven adjustments that contribute directly to college-wide initiatives. Stay informed about industry trends, competitor websites, and emerging digital technologies to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement. Contribute to the development of the college's broader digital marketing strategy, partnering with the Director of Marketing to ensure the website plays a central and effective role in all campaigns and initiatives. Collaborate with leadership to understand institutional priorities and translate them into actionable website strategies.

Website Maintenance and Updates:

Manage website updates, including text, images, videos, layout, and other elements, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. Implement and maintain website elements using the college's CMS - Sitefinity. Ensure the website is functioning correctly, performing regular checks for broken links, errors, and outdated information, escalating critical issues and strategic considerations to the Director of Marketing.

Website Analytics and Reporting:

Generate regular, executive-level reports on key website metrics and provide strategic insights to the leadership team, highlighting performance against KPIs and making recommendations for future action. Analyze data to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for strategic optimization.

Project Management:

Manage complex website-related projects, such as website redesigns, new feature implementations, or content migrations, from strategic planning to execution. Coordinate with internal teams (marketing, admissions, academics) and external vendors (design agencies, developers) as needed, ensuring all project deliverables align with the strategic vision co-developed with the Director of Marketing. Ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and aligned with the overall website strategy.

Collaboration and Communication:

Serve as the primary point of contact for strategic website-related inquiries from the marketing team and other departments. Work closely with the tech team to communicate technical requirements and resolve any technical issues, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and reporting on critical technical considerations to the Director of Marketing. Provide training and support to content contributors on website best practices, CMS usage, and adherence to the website strategy, with oversight and strategic guidance from the Director of Marketing. Collaborate with the University of Illinois WIGG to stay abreast of changes with the University toolkit and components, informing the Director of Marketing of any updates or opportunities that impact Gies's web strategy.

User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI):

Work to improve the website's usability, navigation, and overall user experience based on best practices and user feedback, presenting UX/UI improvement proposals and their strategic impact to the Director of Marketing. Collaborate with designers to ensure the website's visual appeal aligns with the college and university's branding guidelines, with guidance and strategic input from the Director of Marketing.

Staying Updated:

Keep abreast of the latest trends and best practices in web design, UX, SEO, digital marketing, and strategic online communication, proactively bringing new ideas and strategic opportunities to the attention of the team. Research and recommend new technologies and tools to enhance the website's functionality, performance, and strategic impact. Ensure the website complies with all relevant legal and accessibility standards, aligning with the college's values and strategic priorities.

Specialty Factors

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, Communications, Web Development, Information Technology, Media, or a closely related field.
• Five (5) years of professional experience in marketing, public relations, communications, brand management, website management, digital marketing, or a related professional area.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager) and the ability to interpret data to inform strategic decisions.
• Proven ability to develop and implement successful website strategies that align with organizational goals.
• Proficiency in using Content Management Systems (CMS) - specifically Sitefinity

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Basic understanding of web technologies, including HTML and CSS.
• Basic understanding of user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) principles, with a focus on achieving strategic communication goals.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage complex projects strategically.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present strategic recommendations to stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment, contributing to strategic discussions.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to quality, ensuring alignment with the overall website strategy.
• Experience in the higher education sector and understanding of its unique challenges and opportunities.
• Experience with graphic design software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop).
• Basic knowledge of website accessibility guidelines (e.g., WCAG) and their importance.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5004 - Marketing Associate position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the search close date. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. The budgeted salary range for this position is $65,000-$75,000. This position may work in a hybrid home/office environment as agreed upon by supervisor. A path for professional growth is embedded in this and every position in the Gies Office of Marketing and Communications. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on September 11, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting, and upload your cover letter, resume (months and years of employment must be included), and names/contact information for three professional references. Please remember to include specific information on how you meet the qualifications of the position in your resume, including all relevant experience. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact rgovben@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.