Digital Communications Specialist

Job Summary
The Digital Communication Specialist is a dedicated, problem-solving professional working in Purdue's Division of Teaching and Learning. The position will be responsible for creating engaging designs for websites, printed materials, online graphics, emails and social media across a variety of programs, with a special focus on Purdue's top-20 ranked John Martinson Honors College. This position will work under minimal supervision, extending current designs and utilizing technology such as the Adobe suite to create powerful, on-brand marketing materials. The Digital Communications Specialist will ensure projects align with stakeholder requirements and follow best practices in web design, user experience, accessibility, and SEO. Bring your front-end development and design expertise in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to make a lasting impact on Purdue's digital landscape.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Front-end development, testing and maintenance

• Responsible for the front-end development of websites, web-based applications and other digital interfaces.
• Consult and participate in needs analysis with program leaders and their teams to identify stakeholder needs and develop innovative solutions.
• Translate and improve the usability and sustainability of visual designs, user experience flows, content and functionality into effective digital products.
• Code responsive and accessible websites using front-end web technologies, libraries, and frameworks.
• Participate in project planning and design to ensure transition to development is successful and final product meets objectives.
• Research, promote and use industry best practices and trends for usability, performance, scalability, design and maintainability while implementing user interfaces.
• Ensure adherence to ADA and other accessibility standards.
• Serve as primary website contact for the department.
• Communicate with appropriate stakeholders when website problems arise; investigate and troubleshoot technical issues with web pages and web applications and recommend solutions to minimize disruptions to web service.

Graphic and Print Design

• Design and develop innovative and comprehensive visual and functional solutions for marketing materials such as brochures, posters, social media posts, and other similar products.
• Develop design strategy under limited supervision based on project objectives, requirements and various user experience methodologies.
• Extend and refine established designs as programs grow and change.
• Stay up-to-date with current trends in design, usability, and information architecture with demonstrated mastery of typography, color theory, and use of space.
• Maintain a mastery of a variety of graphic creation and editing programs such as Adobe Creative Suite.
• Follow defined branding guidelines as required and ensure internal and external communications align with university's brand.
• Provide guidance, training and assistance to new staff and other colleagues related to maintaining and updating departmental materials.

Web Analytics and SEO

• Maintain a familiarity with web analytics and SEO techniques.
• Assist program directors in establishing site goals; develop strategies, metrics and KPIs for measuring success.
• Provide recommendations for improving SEO of sites based on best practices and KPIs.
• Prepare reports and dashboards to convey information effectively to site owners.

Organizational Activities and Projects

• Prepare and participate in knowledge sharing activities with team members and new staff.
• Prepare special reports, reviews and recommendations as requested.
• Represent team and organization on task forces and committees.
• Other duties as assigned.

Professional Development and Training

• Engage in personal and professional development related to emerging technologies relevant to professional goals and program needs.
• Attend training sessions, conferences and workshops to increase knowledge in web design, front-end development, project management and other applicable skills such as communication and leadership.

Required:

• Experience using web analytics and search engine optimization to enhance a web presence.
• Possess a strong portfolio of design work. Portfolio must accompany resume as part of the formal application.
• Experience creating websites using HTML and CSS; extensive knowledge of current Web development and design tools including applications, software, and technologies such as HTML, HTML 5, Responsive Web Design, JavaScript, CSS, and jQuery; front-end frameworks such as Bootstrap, Foundation and Material Design.
• Experience with design tools such as the Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, or similar tools such as Canva or Marq

Preferred:

• CMS implementation knowledge such as WordPress, Cascade or Drupal; Experience working with a content management system and Google Analytics.
• Experience creating online web forms, designing and developing responsive, interactive, data-driven web pages and content; experience designing and developing websites that follow accessibility guidelines.
• Demonstrated experience implementing new digital design trends; experience with web analytics and search engine optimization.
• Experience in higher education and demonstrated understanding of college-age students and their use of online media.
• Familiarity with photo and video editing software, Bootstrap Framework, XML, XSLT, Velocity, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) web standards and Section 508 of the Americans with Disability Act web accessibility guidelines.

Additional Information:

• Purdue will not sponsor an employment related visa for this position
• A background check will be required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contributions Waiting Period
• Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply

Benefits of a Purdue Career:

• Competitive benefits package including generous paid sick time and vacation
• Tuition remission (Purdue and Purdue Global)

Education
Typically requires a Bachelor's degree
Experience
Minimum of 2 to 3 years of experience
FLSA Status
Exempt