Senior Web Developer, Digital Communications

Department
ADV Digital Communications

Job Summary
The Senior Web Developer serves as the front-end technical lead for digital communications experiences and web development initiatives within the Communications team. This position combines hands-on production work with creative collaboration, team leadership, and digital marketing technology expertise. Analyzes, designs, develops, debugs, and modifies HTML code for web content and email communications. Guides the development and implementation of websites, web pages, enterprise email platforms. Partners with Communications leadership and colleagues to translate creative, content, and marketing goals into effective digital experiences.

This role leads and provides expertise to the development of programs for activities relating to software support and/or development. Analyzes, designs, develops, debugs, and modifies computer code for end user applications, beta general releases, and production support. Manages development and implementation of applications, web pages, and user-interfaces using a variety of software applications, techniques, and tools. Solves complex problems in administration, maintenance, integration, and troubleshooting of code and application ecosystem currently in production.

This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored employment authorization.

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains CMS-based websites and digital experiences (Drupal, WordPress, and other platforms used by Advancement Communications), including content publishing workflows, front-end performance, and future platform implementations, in coordination with Advancement Technology on hosting, infrastructure, and platform administration.
• Provides senior-level technical leadership, mentorship, coaching, and guidance to developers within Advancement Digital Communications.
• Serves as the primary technical resource and technical lead for the Communications team on all digital communications platforms, websites, and web applications within Advancement Digital Communications, translating approved requirements into front-end and CMS-based solutions.
• Develops and maintains HTML email templates and other email marketing assets in partnership with the email marketing team, ensuring compatibility, accessibility, responsiveness, and adherence to brand and communications standards.
• Develops responsive, accessible, user-centered digital experiences across desktop, mobile, email, and other supported platforms that follow established accessibility, usability, SEO, responsive design, and cross-browser standards.
• Manages project scope, timelines, deliverables, risk, and stakeholder communications for Communications web and email development work, ensuring quality assurance, quality control, and successful project execution.
• Serves as an advocate for selected projects by suggesting alternative solutions, areas for further exploration, and appropriate staff and user training.
• Serves as a resource across multiple Communications projects, helps determine appropriate technical approaches, and builds team capacity through knowledge sharing, training, code reviews, and technical demonstrations.
• Partners early in the creative and communications process with designers, content strategists, marketers, writers, email specialists, social media professionals, and other team members to translate creative, communications, marketing, and business requirements into technical approaches, wireframes, prototypes, front-end solutions, and implementation plans.
• Manages the design and coding of automated systems in support of communications workflows.
• Serves as a primary technology liaison between the Communications team and Advancement Technology on areas within the role's scope, communicating technical requirements, coordinating on integrations and infrastructure dependencies, and ensuring digital communications needs are represented in enterprise technology decisions.
• Provides advice and guidance to Communications management and staff on issues related to web and digital systems.
• Partners with Advancement Technology colleagues to implement and maintain analytics, tagging, conversion tracking, and performance measurement capabilities in support of approved Communications measurement strategies, and translates reporting into actionable insights for the team.
• Establishes development standards, coding practices, documentation practices, testing processes, accessibility standards, and quality-assurance procedures for Communications development work.
• Keeps up to date on relevant advances in web and digital communications technology and seeks professional development opportunities that enhance job performance, including attending professional conferences as needed.
• Partners with Communications leadership and stakeholders to identify digital opportunities, recommend technology solutions, and ensure alignment with organizational goals. Contributes to the planning, development, testing, and deployment of digital communication experiences from concept through launch.
• Consults with Advancement Technology in communicating needs, evaluating technology options, and recommending approaches that best support Communications goals, timelines, and audience needs.
• Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance including attending webinars, seminars, building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.
• Designs new systems, features, and tools. Solves complex problems and identifies opportunities for technical improvement and performance optimization. Reviews and tests code to ensure appropriate standards are met.
• Acts as a technical consultant and resource for faculty research, teaching, and/or administrative projects.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in computer science or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of five years of professional experience developing CMS-based websites or web applications, web programming, or similar professional experience.
• Minimum of one year of experience consulting on complex website or web application development projects.
• Managing technical projects, including project scope, timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder communications.
• Partnering with staff and stakeholders to understand and articulate business goals and translate them into digital marketing and communications solutions.
• Providing technical leadership, mentorship, or guidance to developers or other technical staff.
• Professional experience in a nonprofit or higher education environment.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Demonstrated skill and knowledge of, or ability to learn quickly, the internal workings of the University, as well as the technology tools available to the Office of Advancement, including Phoenix, the University's Salesforce donor relationship management system.
• Proficient in a Microsoft Windows environment.
• Demonstrated proficiency in standards-compliant, semantic HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Basic knowledge of programming languages such as Python, PHP, or Ruby.
• Basic understanding of back-end development, databases, and API integration sufficient to communicate effectively with technology partners and work within CMS and platform environments.
• Knowledge of Drupal, WordPress, CMS content publishing, custom theming and front-end development, and publishing workflows.
• Marketo, email marketing automation, HTML email development.

Preferred Competencies

• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively. Explain complex ideas clearly and simply.
• Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
• Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.
• Self-motivated and take initiative.
• Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.
• Strong understanding of web accessibility and usability, including cross-platform and browser compatibility issues.
• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent analytical skills to conceptualize a course of action and organize its successful completion.
• Familiarity with front-end frameworks and libraries like React, Angular, or Vue.
• Proficiency in using design tools like Adobe Photoshop or Figma.

Working Conditions

• This position has a hybrid work schedule which includes weekly in office presence.
• Standard office environment.
• Travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business.
• Work evenings and weekends as needed.
• This position is located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court.
• This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored employment authorization.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter, addressed to Hiring Committee (preferred)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
Information Technology

Role Impact
Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5

Drug Test Required
No

Health Screen Required
No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No

Pay Rate Type
Salary

FLSA Status
Exempt

Pay Range
$90,000.00 - $130,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.