Case Western Reserve University

Salary Grade

Senior Staff position, Salary Grade 18 or above.

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Job Description

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Director of User Experience and Web Design leads the implementation of user-centered digital experiences for Case Western Reserve University's web presence. This leadership role is pivotal in shaping a cohesive, accessible, and engaging user journey across all university websites, with a primary focus on ensuring that digital touchpoints reflect the institution's brand, support enrollment efforts, and enhance institutional storytelling. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, the director will oversee a team of approximately four UX and website marketing professionals. The director will foster a collaborative and data-informed culture that prioritizes audience needs, continuous improvement, and innovation. By mentoring team members and aligning UX efforts with broader institutional goals, the director will ensure that the university's digital platforms evolve in step with user expectations and advancements. In this cross-functional role, the director will work closely with internal stakeholders to define project goals, gather input, and translate user needs into compelling digital solutions. The director will also partner with development teams to execute projects that require specialized expertise or advanced functionality within the university's content management system. Working closely with the assistant vice president, the director will define, create, and oversee the university's comprehensive web design system--ensuring visual consistency, brand alignment, and the integration of user behavior insights. This role leads the creation of visually compelling, accessible, and responsive designs that advance the university's top strategic priorities and engage key audiences across digital platforms. As part of this work, the Director will implement a website measurement plan to track performance, evaluate user engagement, and inform ongoing design and content improvements.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Lead the execution of cohesive, intuitive, and accessible digital experiences that reflect Case Western Reserve University's brand and strategic priorities. Champion a user-centered approach to the university's digital presence, ensuring all websites effectively support the needs of prospective and current students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other key audiences. Collaborate with campus partners and vendors to align user experience goals with institutional messaging, enrollment strategies, and academic communications. (25%)
2. Lead a program of ongoing user research and usability testing to inform design decisions and digital strategy. Oversee methods such as task analysis, surveys, stakeholder interviews, user journey mapping, card sorting, and A/B testing. Analyze behavioral data, heatmaps, and analytics to evaluate design effectiveness and guide continuous improvement. Collaborate with web development and content strategy teams to iterate based on insights. (15%)
3. Under the direction of the assistant vice president, define, create and oversee the university's web design system, including components and design tokens ensuring visual consistency and integrating user behavior insights. Lead the creation of visually compelling designs that support the university's top strategic priorities ensuring digital experiences are accessible, responsive, and aligned with university brand standards. Develop targeted designs for top-tier strategic initiatives, such as the top-level of the university's website, that drive measurable engagement across key audiences. Oversee the production of wireframes, mockups, prototypes, and final UI designs. Oversee the university's web design system with reusable components, ensuring visual consistency and integrating user behavior insights. (25%)
4. Work with directors and leaders to execute a website measurement plan, ensuring it aligns with institutional priorities and user needs identifying meaningful metrics, establish benchmarks, and implement processes for ongoing performance monitoring across the Case Western Reserve website. Track, analyze, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to user engagement, accessibility compliance and user satisfaction. (10%)
5. Supervise and mentor four UX/web team members and provide leadership that promotes staff development, innovation, and a collaborative, user-first culture. Align SEO efforts with broader UX and content goals, and ensure timely, high-quality deliverables. (15%)
6. Lead governance efforts to ensure consistency, accessibility and usability across university websites. Oversee training programs and documentation for the Drupal content management system (CMS), and digital accessibility tools like Siteimprove. Develop scalable support models to empower campus web editors and maintain high-quality, user-focused websites. (10%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Perform other duties as assigned. (<1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Daily contact with UMC team members to complete projects.

University: Regular contact with faculty and staff to exchange information.

External: Occasional communication with external contacts to exchange information.

Students: Regular contact with student employees to exchange information.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Direct supervisory responsibility for senior web manager, digital content specialist, SEO strategy manager, and senior front-end developer and UX designer.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 7 to 10 years in user experience (UX), web design, or digital strategy, with at least 5 years in a leadership or supervisory role. Demonstrated success leading UX research and implementing accessible, user-centered digital solutions across large websites.

Education: Bachelor's degree in user experience, design or digital marketing required. Master's degree preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS

1. Deep knowledge and expertise of UX/UI best practices, information architecture
2. Expert proficiency with tools such as Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, usability testing platforms and prototyping software.
3. Experience designing for accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1 or higher) and integrating accessibility into UX workflows.
4. Expertise with web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Hotjar), SEO best practices, and their intersection with UX strategy.
5. Expertise working with content management systems (CMS), preferably Drupal.
6. Expertise in component-based design and front-end development principles (HTML/CSS, design tokens, responsive grids).
7. Excellent interpersonal, collaboration, and communication skills; ability to present complex ideas clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
8. Strong leadership and people management skills with a focus on team development and goal setting.
9. Ability to balance strategic vision with hands-on project execution and attention to detail.
10. Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
11. A commitment to continuous improvement and audience-centered design.
12. Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
13. Ability to meet consistent attendance.
14. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office environment. The employee will perform repetitive motion using computer mouse and keyboard.

Hybrid Eligibility

This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.

EEO Statement

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodations

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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