Senior Web Developer, Digital Communications

University of Chicago•Chicago, IL

8d•$90,000 - $130,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Web Developer serves as the front-end technical lead for digital communications experiences and web development initiatives within the University of Chicago Advancement Digital Communications team. The role combines hands-on production, creative collaboration, technical leadership, and digital marketing technology expertise. It develops and maintains CMS-based websites, web applications, HTML email templates, and other digital communications assets, translating approved creative, content, marketing, and business requirements into front-end and CMS-based solutions. The position partners with Communications leadership, designers, content strategists, marketers, writers, email specialists, social media professionals, and Advancement Technology colleagues. It provides technical direction and mentorship to developers, establishes standards and testing practices, manages project scope and delivery, and supports analytics and performance measurement. The role works across desktop, mobile, email, and other supported platforms to deliver accessible, responsive, user-centered digital experiences. The position is hybrid, with weekly in-office presence, in a standard office environment. Travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business may be required, as may evening and weekend work. The position is not eligible for employer-sponsored employment authorization. Scheduled weekly hours are 37.5. Compensation is listed at $90,000–$130,000, and the position is benefits eligible.

Requirements

College or university degree in a related field.
Knowledge and skills developed through 5–7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
At least five years of professional experience developing CMS-based websites or web applications, web programming, or similar professional experience.
At least one year of experience consulting on complex website or web application development projects.
Experience managing technical projects, including scope, timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder communications.
Experience partnering with staff and stakeholders to understand business goals and translate them into digital marketing and communications solutions.
Experience providing technical leadership, mentorship, or guidance to developers or other technical staff.
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 with technology partners and work in CMS and platform environments.
Knowledge of Drupal, WordPress, CMS content publishing, custom theming and front-end development, and publishing workflows.
Proficient in a Microsoft Windows environment.
Ability to learn the University’s internal workings and technology tools available to the Office of Advancement, including Phoenix, the University’s Salesforce donor relationship management system.
Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, including listening, speaking, writing, and explaining complex ideas clearly.
Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and tact and to act with integrity and professionalism.
Ability to work collaboratively, take initiative, prioritize multiple projects, and follow through independently with attention to detail.
Strong understanding of web accessibility and usability, including cross-platform and browser compatibility issues.
Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, strategic thinking, and analytical ability to plan and organize work through completion.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s or advanced degree in computer science or a related field.
Professional experience in a nonprofit or higher education environment.
Knowledge of Marketo, email marketing automation, and HTML email development.
Familiarity with front-end frameworks and libraries such as React, Angular, or Vue.
Proficiency with design tools such as Adobe Photoshop or Figma.
Professional development through relevant conferences, webinars, seminars, or networking with University colleagues and peers at other institutions.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain CMS-based websites and digital experiences, including Drupal, WordPress, content-publishing workflows, front-end performance, and future platform implementations, coordinating with Advancement Technology on hosting, infrastructure, and platform administration.
Provide senior-level technical leadership, mentorship, coaching, and guidance to developers within Advancement Digital Communications.
Serve as the Communications team’s primary technical resource and lead for digital communications platforms, websites, and web applications, translating approved requirements into front-end and CMS-based solutions.
Develop and maintain HTML email templates and email marketing assets in partnership with the email marketing team, ensuring compatibility, accessibility, responsiveness, and adherence to brand and communications standards.
Develop responsive, accessible, user-centered experiences across desktop, mobile, email, and other supported platforms, following accessibility, usability, SEO, responsive design, and cross-browser standards.
Manage project scope, timelines, deliverables, risks, and stakeholder communications for web and email development work; ensure quality assurance, quality control, and successful execution.
Advocate for selected projects by suggesting alternatives, further areas of exploration, and appropriate staff and user training.
Advise on technical approaches across Communications projects and build team capacity through knowledge sharing, training, code reviews, and technical demonstrations.
Partner early with creative and communications colleagues to translate requirements into technical approaches, wireframes, prototypes, front-end solutions, and implementation plans.
Manage the design and coding of automated systems that support communications workflows.
Serve as a primary technology liaison between Communications and Advancement Technology, communicating technical requirements, coordinating integrations and infrastructure dependencies, and representing digital communications needs in enterprise technology decisions.
Advise Communications management and staff on web and digital systems.
Partner with Advancement Technology to implement and maintain analytics, tagging, conversion tracking, and performance measurement, and translate reporting into actionable insights.
Establish development, coding, documentation, testing, accessibility, and quality-assurance standards and practices for Communications development work.
Stay current with relevant web and digital communications technology and pursue professional development, including conferences, webinars, seminars, and professional networks as appropriate.
Partner with Communications leadership and stakeholders to identify digital opportunities, recommend technology solutions, and align work with organizational goals.
Contribute to planning, development, testing, and deployment of digital communications experiences from concept through launch.
Consult with Advancement Technology on needs, technology options, and approaches that support Communications goals, timelines, and audience needs.
Design new systems, features, and tools; solve complex problems and identify technical improvements and performance optimizations.
Review and test code to ensure standards are met.
Act as a technical consultant and resource for faculty research, teaching, and/or administrative projects.
Perform other related work as needed.