Web Services & User Experience Designer - University of Pennsylvania

University Overview


The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.




Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.




The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.








Posted Job Title

Web Services & User Experience Designer





Job Profile Title

Web Designer Senior





Job Description Summary

This role will contribute to web services, including WordPress-based websites hosted on Pantheon, and help implement web and user experience design strategies at the School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2). The Web Services & User Experience (UX) Designer will work with internal teams and external vendors to maintain a cohesive, accessible, and effective online presence that communicates SP2's mission and values in the field of social policy and practice. The Web Services & UX Designer, as part of the Strategic Communications & Design team, will contribute to SP2's overall communications efforts while reporting to and partnering with the Chief Creative Officer on vision and broader design initiatives.


This is a hybrid-eligible position.


* All SP2 staff are required to participate in convocation and graduation ceremonies as needed.





Job Description


Job Responsibilities



+ Align SP2's web presence with the school’s goals, mission, and core values. Utilize tools like WordPress, Pantheon, Google Analytics, and Adobe Creative Cloud, while collaborating with school leadership, program and center directors, faculty, staff to conduct content audits, implement design changes, optimize SEO and accessibility, and continuously improve based on user feedback and analytics data. Review processes with the Chief Creative Officer and then implement independently.


+ Establish and maintain web design and UX standards across SP2's digital properties by creating a unified visual identity, consistent user interface elements, and navigation structures that meet accessibility standards and improve search engine rankings for key terms. Develop a comprehensive style guide to be utilize across the web presense to ensure consistency. Maintain processes and update content in partnership with the Senior Associate Director of Strategic Communications & Marketing.


+ Manage relationships with external vendors for major web development projects and redesigns. Drive web accessibility initiatives, ensuring compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standards, and provide monthly reports on web metrics and project statuses in collaboration with the Chief Creative Officer to SP2 dean, senior faculty, and staff leadership.


+ Collaborate with the Communication and Design team, while serving as the primary developer and implementer of training programs and materials on WordPress, web accessibility, and UX design best practices for SP2 content creators across the school.


+ Ensure the security and performance of web platforms in coordination with SP2's IT services.


+ Assist Communication & Design team with creating templates for both digital and print production that will be used by SP2 faculty and staff.

+ Perform additional duties as assigned, including participation in convocation and graduation ceremonies as needed.






Qualifications



+ Bachelor's degree in Web Design, Computer Science, Digital Media, or related field


+ 2+ years of experience in web services management and User Experience (UX) design


+ Understanding of the unique web needs in an academic environment


+ Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders


+ Proven experience with WordPress development and customization


+ Strong understanding of web design principles, UX/UI best practices, and current design trends


+ Proficiency in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript


+ Basic knowledge of PHP in the context of WordPress


+ Knowledge of web accessibility standards (WCAG) and commitment to inclusive design


+ Knowledge of creating templates for both digital and print production using Adobe Creative Cloud software


+ Knowledge of SEO principles and content strategy for academic institutions


+ Familiarity with analytics tools and data-driven decision making


+ Leverage cutting-edge AI tools to enhance design, user experience, and communication strategies







Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania





Department / School

School of Social Policy and Practice





Pay Range

$51,824.00 - $80,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.




Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.




Special Requirements Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.




University Benefits

+ Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

+ Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

+ Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

+ Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

+ Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

+ Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

+ Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

+ University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

+ Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

+ Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

+ Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

+ Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.




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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay



The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.