Penn State Job Catalog

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Strategic Communications - Web Design

The Strategic Communications Specialist - Web Design works within the University's Office of Strategic Communications and is responsible for translating digital strategy into high-quality, user-centered web experiences; focuses on visual design execution, information layout, front-end implementation, and content development across the university's approved digital platforms; ensures that websites are intuitive, accessible, on-brand, and optimized for user engagement.

• Transform strategic direction, requirements, and content models into intuitive, accessible, and responsive website designs
• Develop layouts, visual interfaces, and interaction patterns aligned with the university's design system, brand standards, and component libraries
• Create wireframes, page-level designs, prototypes, and UI specifications to guide implementation and ensure design consistency across sites
• Conceptualize, create, and manipulate individual design elements (e.g., audio, video, still images, animation, text, digital data, interactivity, etc.) using graphic/multi-media design software
• Write, structure, and refine digital content to support clear communication, discoverability, and user intent
• Build or configure pages using available components, templates, and patterns
• Apply content models, metadata standards, and taxonomy frameworks defined by the digital strategy
• Ensure content adheres to accessibility requirements (WCAG), SEO best practices, editorial guidelines, and plain-language standards
• Support content creators by producing templates, style guidelines, page patterns, microcopy, and design-ready assets
• Organize site structures, navigation systems, and page-level hierarchies that support user journeys and strategic goals
• Conduct or support usability testing and iterative design improvements
• Partner with Digital Strategists to apply analytic insights into layout, content, and UX enhancements
• Collaborate in ensuring feasibility and quality of design handoffs and validate implementation through QA testing
• Optimize page performance, responsiveness, accessibility, and visual fidelity after deployment
• Work closely with Digital Strategists, content authors, information technology, and marketing and communications teams to align experience execution with strategy
• Provide design guidance to distributed content creators, ensuring adherence to design system standards and best practices
• Participate in design reviews and cross-unit web initiatives
• Supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Level:

– Senior Supervisor

Base Description:

– Supervises direct reports, but primarily completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge to perform own work; spends majority of time on tasks related to own job responsibilities. May demonstrate subject matter expertise. Demonstrates intermediate to advanced planning, organizing, directing, and facilitating skills. Demonstrates the ability to coach assigned employees. Assigns and reviews completed work to verify accuracy, quality, and adherence to professional standards. Trains, coaches, mentors, and motivates staff. Anticipates potential problems, issues, and opportunities; researches and recommends solutions within defined policies. May develop creative recommendations for solving problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Typically oversees at least 2 full–time direct reports or equivalent team of part–time and/or student workers (for Professional track, performs work at the Senior Professional level or higher)

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets for specific area and/or grant(s)
– May assist in planning and forecasting budgets

Problem Solving:

– Encounters moderately complex problems
– Applies general precedents and practices and specialized knowledge and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations and impact of potential solutions
– Anticipates potential problems and recommends possible solutions within general guidelines

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on moderately complex work assignments, reviews progress, and evaluates results
– Organizes work of direct reports and sets team priorities
– Reviews the work of others to verify accuracy, quality, and adherence to professional standards

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally within working unit and the University
– Communicates with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Collaborates closely with team members; may interact with other staff outside of area
– Utilizes a communication style that is appropriate for a given situation
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 12
• Minimum – $76,700.00
• MidPoint – $95,900.00
• Maximum – $115,100.00