Website Communications Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:

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 applicants 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 or by phone at .
• To view SOUs very generous benefits and pension programs available to eligible positions please visit benefits package is an important complement to the offered salary and ourTotal Compensation Calculator demonstrates our value and commitment to our employees.

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 universitys mission brand and content strategy.

The Website Communications Manager also oversees the universitys 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 SOUs website remains optimized accessible and aligned with the universitys brand and marketing priorities.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelors 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. ).

• Knowledge of basic design principles and tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Canva for simple content enhancements.

Essential Functions

Duties - The following examples are typical work activities that are meant to illustrate the general range of work functions and are not meant to be all-inclusive or restrictive:

(60%) Manage SOUs 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 SOUs marketing plan and reflects the universitys brand.

• Edit create and manage content within the CMS to maintain accuracy clarity and consistent application of SOUs 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 SOUs academic offerings student success stories and strategic initiatives.

• Serve as the primary liaison to SOUs 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.

• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism to effectively handle a broad range of sensitive interpersonal situations.

• Demonstrated ability to interpret and consistently apply a wide variety of complex policies and procedures where specific guidelines may not always exist.

• Expressed ability to work with frequent changes in policies and procedures under pressure of deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong analytical and research skills; demonstrated ability to gather evaluate and to develop well-reasoned conclusions and recommendations.

• Demonstrated ability to proactively assess work operations and anticipate potential problems; ability to develop and implement strategies for preventing/resolving problems.

• Great ability to effectively perform work of a highly sensitive and confidential nature that requires access to information. Must be able to exercise sound judgment and discretion tact and diplomacy.

• Takes initiative in independently planning organizing and performing work assignments within broadly defined parameters

• Demonstrated ability to work with a high level of productivity and accuracy/attention to detail.

• Excellent computer skills and proficiency with a variety of computer applications including word processing spreadsheets databases online systems social media platforms Internet as well as online calendaring and email.

• Willingness to and work effectively in a heavily bureaucratic environment which requires regular interaction with a number of levels within the organization and multiple outside agencies.

• Working knowledge or ability to quickly learn university infrastructure policies and procedures.

Content & Communication Skills:

• Exceptional writing editing and proofreading skills with a strong understanding of brand voice tone and messaging.

• Experience collaborating with a variety of individuals with varying degrees of familiarity with website development or content management.

• Strong storytelling skills with an ability to translate complex information into engaging accessible and persuasive content.

• Strong understanding of SEO best practices and how to structure content for maximum impact and visibility.

• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on content execution including writing editing and managing updates within the CMS.

Project & Relationship Management:

• Proven ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues across departments fostering trust and collaboration through diplomacy and clear communication.

• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to juggle multiple priorities manage competing deadlines and adapt to shifting needs.

• Ability to navigate complex stakeholder dynamics while keeping projects on track and ensuring timely execution of projects.

Technical & Digital Proficiency:

• Familiarity with content management systems (CMS) specifically Wordpress.

• Basic understanding of web accessibility standards (ADA/WCAG) to ensure inclusive and compliant content.

• Experience using Google Analytics or other tools to monitor web content performance and engagement.

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.

• This position classification has been defined as exempt and is not subject to the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

• The person holding this position is considered a mandatory reporter under the Oregon Revised Statutes and is required to comply with the requirements set forth by the Oregon Department of Human Services.

SOU is an equal access AA/EOE committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Southern Oregon University will provide if requested reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of accommodation in order to provide access to the application interviewing and selection process. You are not required to note the presence of a disability on this application. If however you require a reasonable accommodation in the application and/or interview process due to disability requests must be made in a timely manner to Human Resources.

Diversity Statement:
Southern Oregon University is a welcoming community committed to inclusive excellence and the celebration of diversity. Without diversity our educational process is diminished. Working together in support of our commitment to diversity we strengthen and enrich our role as learners educators and members of a tightly connected global community. We encourage those who share in our commitment to diversity to join our community and we expect all our employees to demonstrate an ability and desire to create an inclusive campus community.

SOU Land Acknowledgement
We want to take this moment to acknowledge that Southern Oregon University is located within the ancestral homelands of the Shasta Takelma and Latgawa peoples who lived here since time immemorial. These Tribes were displaced during rapid Euro-American colonization the Gold Rush and armed conflict between 1851 and 1856. In the 1850s the discovery of gold and settlement brought thousands of Euro-Americans to their lands leading to warfare epidemics starvation and villages being 1853 the first of several treaties were signed confederating these Tribes and others together who would then be referred to as the Rogue River Tribe. These treaties ceded most of their homelands to the United States and in return they were guaranteed a permanent homeland reserved for them. At the end of the Rogue River Wars in 1856 these Tribes and many other Tribes from western Oregon were removed to the Siletz Reservation and the Grand Ronde Reservation. Today the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon () and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians () are living descendants of the Takelma Shasta and Latgawa peoples of this area. We encourageYOUto learn about the land you reside on and to join us in advocating for the inherent sovereignty of Indigenous people.

Notice to Prospective Employees
Section 485 of the Higher Education Act and The Federal Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 (now referred to as the Clery Act) require that prospective employees be notified of the availability of SOUs Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report provides the annual statistics and campus policies for the reporting of and responding to campus crimes and fires; access to campus facilities; conduct code and campus policies on the use possession and sale of drugs/alcohol; and educational/information programs to inform the campus community about campus security procedures and crime prevention.

An electronic copy of the Annual Security Report (ASR) can be accessed at the following link: A physical copy of the ASR is available at no charge upon request. To request a copy please visit the Office of the General Counsel located in Churchill Hall 1250 Siskiyou Boulevard Ashland Oregon 97520. For more information call or email.