"Website Communications Manager"

POSITION SUMMARY

Date application must be received for priority consideration by: January 6, 2026
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date: January 26, 2026
Closing Date or if blank, Open Until Filled:
Job Family Group: Administrative and Professional
Division/Department: University Advancement/Marketing
Compensation Range (commensurate with experience): $5,556.83-$5,731.61 monthly, $66,802-$68,779.32 annually 1.0 FTE
FLSA Status: Exempt
Appointment Basis: 12-month
Time Type: Full-time
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Renewable/Non-renewable/Grants/Limited Duration/Temporary: Renewable
This position must possess and maintain a current, valid Driver License: No
This position is designated as a critical, security-sensitive or safety-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Criminal Background Check: Yes
Lead Work/Supervisory Responsibilities: No
Work Location Type: On-campus
Work Hours: M-F (8:00a - 5:00p) Hours are subject to change with notice.
Worker Status: Must be able to legally work in the United States without visa sponsorship

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT

• Each applicant is required to provide (as attachments to the online application) the following supplemental documents: (1) a letter providing some detail of the applicant's qualifications and interest in the position; and (2) current resume/CV. - PLEASE NOTE - during the application process, you will be prompted to attach these documents in the area titled 'Resume.' Please either combine ALL documents into ONE attachment, OR upload each item separately in this section. Failure to upload ALL of the required documents may disqualify application from consideration.
• For inquiries and additional information, please contact Human Resource Services via email at hrs@sou.edu or by phone at (541)552-8553.
• To view SOU's very generous benefits and pension programs available to eligible positions, please visit benefits overview.
• Our benefits package is an important complement to the offered salary and our Total Compensation Calculator, demonstrates our value.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Reporting to the Director of Marketing, the Website Communications Manager serves as the primary liaison between Southern Oregon University and its external website vendor, ensuring clear communication, strategic alignment, and efficient execution of updates and enhancements. The Manager is responsible for maintaining an accurate, engaging, and dynamic website that supports student recruitment, elevates user experience, and reflects the university's mission, brand, and content strategy.

The Website Communications Manager also oversees the university's website change-management process, ensuring a structured, transparent, and efficient system for implementing updates and improvements within agreed-upon timelines. This role requires strong strategic thinking across marketing, user experience, and content, ensuring SOU's website remains optimized, accessible, and aligned with the university's brand and marketing priorities.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, English, Public Relations, Digital Media, or a related field. Equivalent experience may be considered in place of a degree.
• Experience: At least 3-5 years of experience in website content management, digital communications, or copywriting.
• Experience working with external vendors and managing content updates for a comprehensive website.
• Proven ability to solicit, curate, write, and edit compelling web content that aligns with organizational goals.

Preferred Requirements

• Experience in higher education.
• Familiarity with digital marketing tools (e.g., HubSpot, Mailchimp) and CRM platforms, such as TargetX.
• Proficiency with project management tools (e.g. Monday.com).
• Knowledge of basic design principles and tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Canva for simple content enhancements.

Essential Functions

(60%) Manage SOU's external website for strategic alignment, continuity, and brand standards:

• Provide strategic leadership across marketing, user experience, and content to ensure the website supports enrollment goals, aligns with SOU's marketing plan, and reflects the university's brand.
• Edit, create, and manage content within the CMS to maintain accuracy, clarity, and consistent application of SOU's Website Content Strategy across all sites.
• Optimize website content, structure, and user experience to enhance visibility, increase engagement, and support integrated marketing campaigns in collaboration with the marketing team.
• Monitor key web KPIs and analytics to evaluate performance, identify areas for improvement, and deliver data-informed recommendations to marketing, admissions, and academic programs.
• Conduct periodic content and UX audits based on KPIs, marketing priorities, and institutional goals to ensure information remains relevant, compelling, and enrollment-focused.
• Partner with accessibility experts to ensure ongoing compliance with WCAG 2.2 AA standards, ADA requirements, SEO best practices, and other digital guidelines.
• Collaborate with marketing, admissions, and academic programs to maintain high-quality content that highlights SOU's academic offerings, student success stories, and strategic initiatives.
• Serve as the primary liaison to SOU's external web vendor, coordinating requests, updates, timelines, and strategic discussions through one organized channel.

(30%) Maintain a change management system to implement website changes:

• Develop and maintain a website change management system that provides a clear, efficient process for accepting, reviewing, approving, and implementing website updates.
• Establish workflows and guidelines for content updates to ensure quality control, consistency, and timely execution.
• Coordinate and oversee updates with external vendors to ensure alignment with deadlines, accessibility standards, university branding, and digital strategy.

(5%) Collaborate with university colleagues to provide regular training on best practices for external websites and ensure content strategy alignment.

• Provide training and guidance on CMS usage and best practices for web publishing.
• Develop a training schedule in consultation with IT to ensure campus-wide compliance with SOU web policies.
• Staff a Web Governance Committee and offer recommendations for significant improvements and changes to the VP for University Advancement.

(5%) Other duties as assigned.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

Excellent communication skills; demonstrated ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner, both verbally and in writing. [Additional skills listed in text...]

Content & Communication Skills: Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills... [abbreviated for brevity]

Project & Relationship Management: Proven ability to build and maintain strong working relationships...

Technical & Digital Proficiency: Familiarity with content management systems (CMS), specifically Wordpress...

Physical Demands

Normal office activities such as sitting/standing at a desk, using a computer, answering phones, and communicating in person both in writing and via phone with others. Travel between buildings/locations on campus.

Special Conditions

• Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
• Must be able to work additional hours and adjust working hours to meet special jobs. May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.
• Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment background check.