• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $84,000 - $95,000 Annually

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Website and Brand Design reports to the Director of Strategic Communications and serves as the primary steward of Columbia College's digital presence and visual brand identity. This role is responsible for leading a comprehensive overhaul of the Columbia College website while maintaining brand consistency across all digital and print communications channels. The Associate Director will manage the Digital Content Manager and freelancers. The person in this role will collaborate with internal IT teams, external vendors and stakeholders across the College to create an exceptional website user experience that reflects Columbia College's academic distinction and serves the needs of prospective students, current students, alumni, faculty and the broader community.

Responsibilities

• Website Management and Development
  • Lead the complete redesign and content reorganization of the Columbia College website, from strategic planning through implementation and launch.
  • Manage all aspects of the Columbia College website content using Drupal, including site navigation, content organization and ongoing content and media maintenance, as needed.
  • Collaborate closely with the Columbia College IT (CCIT) team and external vendors to ensure technical excellence and timely project delivery.
  • Apply user experience (UX) best practices to create intuitive, accessible and engaging digital experiences for diverse audiences.
  • Conduct user research, usability testing and analytics review to inform design decisions and continuous improvement.
  • In partnership with CCIT, ensure all web properties meet WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards and ADA compliance requirements.
  • Implement and monitor web analytics using tools such as Google Analytics to track performance and inform optimization strategies.
  • Stay current with web design trends, emerging technologies and best practices in higher education digital communications.
• Project and Stakeholder Management
  • Manage complex, multi-phase projects involving numerous high-level stakeholders across the College.
  • Coordinate with academic departments, admissions, student life, advancement and other key partners to gather requirements and ensure project success.
  • Facilitate cross-functional collaboration between communications, CCIT and other teams.
  • Manage relationships with external vendors, freelancers and contractors, including scope definition, timeline management and quality assurance.
  • Develop project plans, timelines and deliverables for web and brand initiatives.
  • Communicate project status, challenges and recommendations to the Director of Strategic Communications and other stakeholders.
  • Balance competing priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high standards of quality.
• Brand Management and Design
  • Manage the Digital Content Manager and oversee all graphic design produced.
  • Serve as the guardian of the Columbia College brand, ensuring visual and messaging consistency across all communications channels including web, print, social media and newsletters.
  • Update, refine and create comprehensive brand guidelines that articulate Columbia College's visual identity, voice and design standards.
  • Create graphic design elements, as needed.
  • Ensure all Columbia College internal partners and departments adhere to established brand guidelines.
  • Provide brand guidance, training and resources to internal stakeholders to maintain brand integrity.
  • Oversee brand application across digital channels including social media graphics and email newsletters.
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field required.
• 3-5 years of professional experience managing and designing websites, preferably in higher education or similarly complex organizations.
• Demonstrated experience leading website redesign projects from conception through launch.
• Proven track record of brand management and development across multiple channels.
• Experience managing projects with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Familiarity with managing freelancers, vendors or external contractors.
• Proficiency in website content management systems (Drupal 10 preferred).
• Strong user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design skills with demonstrated ability to create intuitive, user-centered digital experiences.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
• Competency in modern web design tools such as Figma, Sketch or similar platforms.
• Working knowledge of HTML, CSS, and responsive design principles.
• Familiarity with web accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1) and ADA compliance requirements.
• Experience with web analytics platforms (Google Analytics or similar).

Preferred Qualifications

• Exceptional visual design skills with a strong portfolio demonstrating range and quality.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to translate complex requirements into clear, effective design solutions.
• Collaborative mindset with ability to work effectively across diverse teams.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexibility and adaptability in response to changing needs and priorities.
• Understanding of SEO best practices and their application to web design.

**Applications submitted without portfolio of website and graphic and brand design work will not be considered**

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.