User Experience Specialist

University of Kansas•Lawrence, KS

About The Position

The User Experience Specialist supports the quality and continuous improvement of the University of Kansas’s digital ecosystem. The role provides technical expertise in user experience, website quality assurance, accessibility, analytics, information architecture, and digital optimization across KU websites and applications. The specialist conducts prelaunch reviews, analyzes user behavior and website performance, identifies opportunities for improvement, and turns findings into actionable recommendations. The role collaborates with UX designers, developers, content teams, marketing and communications staff, and campus partners to improve the accessibility, usability, organization, consistency, and effectiveness of KU’s digital experiences. The position conducts prelaunch UX and QA reviews of Sunflower CMS and other KU websites using established standards for accessibility, content, information architecture, branding, and SEO. It documents findings, tracks remediation, validates corrections before launch, maintains review materials, and collaborates with KU IT and campus partners on launch readiness and risk mitigation. The specialist uses tools such as Google Analytics 4, Microsoft Clarity, and DubBot to assess website performance and user behavior; develops reports and dashboards; and recommends improvements based on analytics, SEO, and website quality audits. The role also supports emerging Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and AI Optimization (AIO) practices, including structured content and metadata, and partners with UX, development, and content teams to implement and evaluate improvements. The position consults with campus partners on usability, accessibility, organization, and consistency across websites and digital experiences. It applies UX, content, information architecture, branding, and SEO best practices; assists with usability research, governance, documentation, training, and continuous improvement; and participates in KU IT standards and cross-functional committees as assigned. The stated work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. KU does not provide H-1B sponsorship for this position.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED and five years of relevant professional experience, or an associate’s degree and three years of relevant professional experience, or a bachelor’s degree and one year of relevant professional experience.
At least one year of experience applying website accessibility concepts or standards, such as WCAG, as shown in application materials.
At least six months of professional experience performing UX/UI-related tasks as shown in application materials.
Experience communicating technical findings and recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences, demonstrated through application materials or a writing sample.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Informatics, Information Technology, Digital Media, Human-Computer Interaction, Marketing Analytics, Interaction Design, User Experience, User Interface, or a related field.
Experience with Google Analytics 4, Microsoft Clarity, DubBot, or similar analytics and website quality tools.
Experience conducting website QA or UX reviews using established standards or checklists.
Knowledge of SEO practices, including metadata, content structure, internal linking, and indexing.
Experience with GEO/AIO concepts and structured content, including schema.org and JSON-LD.
Experience with a CMS, preferably Drupal, and basic HTML/CSS.
Experience with accessibility testing tools and document accessibility.
Knowledge of UX research methods and analytics-based experimentation.
Experience supporting higher education websites or collaborating with marketing/communications teams.

Responsibilities

Conduct prelaunch UX and quality-assurance reviews of Sunflower CMS and other KU websites using standards for accessibility, content, information architecture, branding, and SEO.
Document review findings, track remediation, and validate corrections before launch.
Maintain and improve review checklists, templates, and procedures.
Collaborate with KU IT and campus partners to support launch readiness and risk mitigation.
Use analytics and website quality tools to analyze performance and user behavior.
Develop reports and dashboards and translate analytics findings into actionable recommendations.
Conduct SEO and website quality audits and identify opportunities for improvement.
Support GEO and AIO practices, including structured content and metadata.
Partner with UX, development, and content teams to implement and evaluate improvements.
Consult with campus partners to improve website and digital-experience usability, accessibility, organization, and consistency.
Apply UX, content, information architecture, branding, and SEO best practices to recommend improvements.
Assist with usability research, governance, documentation, training, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Participate in KU IT standards and cross-functional committees as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.