Director of Web Services

This position plays a critical role in the digital communication and web infrastructure of High Point University, Office of Communication. This role is responsible for the development, optimization, and ongoing improvement of the University’s WordPress Multi-Site web presence. The Director of Web Services oversees the Office of Communication Web Development team including the Senior Developer and Jr Developer. This role combines technical expertise in front-end and back-end web development with data analysis capabilities to support web performance, accessibility, and digital storytelling.

The ideal candidate will work collaboratively with designers, content specialists, and IT staff to create functional, user-friendly web experiences. In addition to web development, the candidate will assist in implementing structured data, refining site architecture, supporting Google Analytics reporting, and contributing to campaign performance analysis.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Web Development, Information Technology, or a related field required.

Experience and Training

• 4+ years of WordPress development experience in a multi-site environment
• 2+ years of experience in front-end development using HTML, CSS, JavaScript
• Familiarity with PHP and REST API integration
• Experience with Gutenberg block editor and Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)
• Project management or large-scale site migration experience preferred
• Data analysis experience using GA4, Google Tag Manager, and structured data practices

Knowledge, Skills, Ability:

• Strong understanding of WordPress theme and plugin development
• Proficient in JavaScript libraries and frameworks; experience decoupling or relocating global JS
• Experience with structured data, JSON-LD, and search engine optimization (SEO) principles
• Knowledge of information architecture, accessibility, and responsive design best practices
• Familiarity with digital advertising campaigns and tracking pixels (e.g., GTM, GA4, social media ads)
• Experience performing redirection audits and managing REST endpoint security
• Ability to manage complex projects across over 200 subsites, including post types, taxonomies, and ACF field structures
• Excellent troubleshooting and debugging skills
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills
• Ability to clearly document web processes, user management protocols, and data reports
• Comfortable working collaboratively with stakeholders across departments
• Skilled in Adobe Photoshop to size, crop and optimize images for the web.
• Familiar with social media and third-party APIs
• Ability to adapt and learn new technologies and web content management tools quickly.
• Strong Organizational skills when it comes to content, and user experience.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team, to work collaboratively with varied populations and to provide one-on-one and group training for web contributors as a collaboration with the Office of Information Technology.
• SEO knowledge and expertise
• Ability to create a GA4 dashboards

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide leadership and technical oversight for the ongoing development, optimization, and maintenance of the University’s WordPress Multi-Site network, including private subsites and custom post types (e.g., faculty-staff, majors-minors).
• Strategically guide and delegate the transition from Classic Editor to Gutenberg blocks across all subsites, ensuring consistency, accessibility, and performance.
• Supervise the planning and implementation of landing pages, analytics integrations (GA4, GTM), and data dashboards in support of digital advertising and campaign initiatives.
• Architect scalable and reusable ACF field structures and oversee development using theme.json to ensure alignment with evolving site needs and design standards.
• Lead the team in conducting structured data audits (e.g., Contact Points, Breadcrumbs), implementing schema markup, and maintaining SEO best practices.
• Oversee university-wide accessibility improvements, performance enhancements, and content optimization across 500+ pages.
• Manage complex technical troubleshooting, resolving plugin conflicts, theme bugs, and cross-platform display issues to ensure high website stability and performance.
• Direct the creation and refinement of internal tools such as the shortlink system (hpu.is), user audit documentation, cookie banners, and other utility enhancements.
• Coordinate projects related to site-wide improvements including favicon updates, redirection plans, kiosk content, and media optimization.
• Ensure clear, thorough internal documentation and oversee the creation of training materials for content editors and site stakeholders.
• Collaborate closely with Information Technology, Marketing, and other university departments to improve UX, design consistency, and technical integrations.
• Analyze and communicate web performance insights using GA4, GTM, Looker Studio dashboards, and other analytics tools to guide data-driven decision-making.
• Oversee periodic database audits (e.g., orphaned tables), identify and resolve web errors (e.g., 404s, shortcode formatting issues), and continuously refine global styling and content structure.
• Maintain SEO-driven strategies for content positioning, URL structure, metadata usage, and site hierarchy across all subsites.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing, and supportive work environment by mentoring team members, promoting best practices, and encouraging continuous learning.
• Represent the Web Development Team in leadership meetings, cross-departmental planning, and university-wide digital initiatives.
• Maintains positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating effectively with students, students’ parents, faculty, co-workers and managers on website updates
• Other duties as assigned

ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Ensure functionality, security, and accessibility of all University web properties
• Maintain and support all custom developments within the HPU web architecture
• Track and report on user experience trends, analytics data, and performance benchmarks
• Provide cross-campus training and technical support on website tools and updates
• Act as a liaison with Office of Information Technology on system integrations, REST API toggles, nonce protection, and endpoint security
• Stay informed of evolving web trends, best practices, and compliance requirements
• Contribute to long-term planning and innovation in HPU’s digital communication strategy
• Maintain a positive, solutions-focused work atmosphere and communicate effectively with departments, vendors, and stakeholders
• Driven, growth mindset individual with the ability to come up with creative digital advertising solutions
• Maintains positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating effectively with students, students’ parents, faculty, co-workers and managers
• Other duties as assigned by the Office of Communication