Executive Director, Digital Solutions

Job Summary

Under the newly minted division of University Marketing & Communications,  Marketing Communications creates proactive, innovative, and comprehensive marketing, communications and branding strategies that highlight Drexel’s academic strengths and research, while emphasizing the value and potential of the experiential education model. Communications works closely with colleges, schools, academic and administrative staff throughout the University to create comprehensive marketing and communications strategies that serve the University’s overarching branding, recruitment and retention goals to meet or exceed the enrollment and revenue objectives. Marketing Communications defines, protects, and disseminates the Drexel University brand while clearly illustrating its unique value proposition.

The Executive Director, Digital Solutions is a leadership role primarily responsible for serving as the primary point of contact, expert communicator, organizational project management lead, and overall leading voice for the interactive space with leadership and University-wide partners and stakeholders. The role will manage resources and collaborate with colleagues through the entire lifecycle of a web or other interactive endeavor from developing an initial business case through concept to implementation ensuring success and excellence at launch and beyond.

The role will offer organizational management and University web enterprise oversight on behalf of University Marketing & Communications, incorporating project lifecycle management, web analytics and success metrics, setting policy and governance, ensuring accessibility compliance, and  supporting workflows for Drexel University’s web and digital solutions, including Drexel websites & marketing landing pages, university portal systems, CMS/CRM solutions and vendor supported digital properties under the Drexel domain.

The role will also play a primary leadership role in liaison with Drexel Information Technology as a core partner for all internal web and portal systems, and the vetting, sourcing and management of external strategic partners including Interactive and digital strategy agencies, search engine and media agencies, front-end development partners and more.

The Executive Director, Digital Solutions reports directly to the VP of University Marketing and Communications and serves as part of the University Marketing Communications leadership team. All leadership team members collaborate closely with the Senior Vice President for Marketing and Communications.

Essential Functions

• Under the guidance of the Senior Vice President and VP for Marketing and Communications, the Executive Director, Digital Solutions, will serve as the chief communicator and division project workflow manager for the interactive and digital space at Drexel. This role will lead a cross-disciplinary team and communicate the Drexel vision to key stakeholders including University Leadership, EMSS, the Colleges and Schools, University communicators, and the University community. This role will establish the process of creating a unified, compelling, and useful digital ecosystem for the University while overseeing partnership with IT and Drexel leadership, the development and governance/policy of the web enterprise of Drexel University while effectively managing the resources available to execute successfully. This role will also serve as a front-facing representative proactively identifying and managing strategic partner and vendor relationships to ensure continuous improvement and optimal production solutions for new and existing marketing technology.
• Oversee staff of more than 12 FTEs supporting web strategy, digital project management, user experience, content management, instructional design, and vendor management. This central team will share best practices and discuss and manage governance issues as they arise — ensuring that the central marketing office is working collaboratively with a two-way feedback loop with college and administrative units university-wide.
• Manage the team directly responsible for the web enterprise of Drexel.edu, student success websites, and student portal systems. In partnership with IT, devise and execute plans for continued support of the University’s Sitecore infrastructure — including the migration of websites into a Content Management System – and upgrades as needed. Responsible for ensuring that all office/departmental websites follow established templates and guidelines, and that college/school websites adhere to UX and UI design best practices. Develop and manage web development and support procedures, tools, and documentation and prioritization. This includes documentation and developing technical support standards.
• Lead discovery sessions (stakeholder interviews, focus groups, workshops, etc.) to capture both client and user needs, as well as identify both opportunities and risks for Drexel. Develop and present roadmap to partners reflecting creative problem-solving and holistic, sustainable approaches conceived with input from relevant team members Accountable for successful completion and delivery of discovery activities by project team, including audits, research, and other deliverables.
• Establish, in partnership with Drexel University Marketing Analytics, Enrollment Analytics, and Marketing technology teams, a best-in-class optimized web presence, with benchmark KPI setting, and an analytical approach offering meaningful insights, evaluation, and a clear demonstrated return on investment (ROI) for all marketing & communications activity online. Implement ongoing reporting processes at an enterprise level and deliver and present insights to internal and external stakeholders.
• In partnership with Drexel offices around the university, conduct market research to inform new initiatives. Generate and maintain outcome data quantifying efforts to review effectiveness. Execute content gap analyses. Research and implement the latest trends in digital strategy in terms of marketing, advertising, media and a/b testing, machine learning, AI, and beyond to create an immersive user experience that results in lead generation and retention.
• Lead the team to work in tandem with both marketing and web personnel — and serving as a leadership bridge between the Office and Drexel IT, Academic Information Systems, and College and Administrative Leadership.
• Work with creative and media services personnel, as well as other staff, to enhance web properties and develop new, in-house web creative for branding/awareness and enrollment campaigns and support with all digital enterprise components.
• Commit to working with diverse colleagues to develop marketing and communication strategies that reach out to and connect with traditionally underrepresented and under-served communities to support and enhance diversity and accessibility in the University community.
• Perform additional duties.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent combination of education and work experience.
  • Please review the  Equivalency Chart for additional information.
• 10+ years of experience in a related position with 3-5 years leading in a client management role of an enterprise-level website organization. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within higher education is highly desired.
• Experience with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools, Content Management Systems (CMS), Adobe Creative Suite, and SEO and Project Management tools such as ASANA.
• Experience implementing and managing Google's Universal Analytics and Tag Manager.
• Agency experience a plus but not required.
• Supervisory experience required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of effective web technology and design (including mobile-first and responsive design), CRM and CMS systems, web development, information architecture, search engine optimization strategies, and client management.
• Ability to: manage large complex projects and teams; effectively negotiate/influence others; communicate technical/complex information both verbally and in writing; analyze and problem-solve a variety of issues; carry out strategic planning activities.
• Excellent communication and project management skills.
• Exceptional presentation skills requiring articulate verbal and written communication to various senior-level internal audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple projects successfully, working in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to communicate marketing analytics to various senior-level internal audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to work as part of a team as well as independently.  

Physical Requirements

• Typically sitting at a desk/table
• Lifting demands ≤ 25lbs

Location

• Hybrid/Flexible Work Arrangement – Philadelphia, PA

Additional Information

This position is classified as exempt, grade N. Compensation for this grade ranges from $90,430 to $135,640 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review. 

We encourage you to explore Drexel's Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on our compensation framework.

You can also find valuable information about our benefits in the Benefits Brochure.

Special Instructions to the Applicant

Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.

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