Fast Facts

SMU is looking for a strategic and technically skilled Director of Web Application Services to lead its web content ecosystem, ensuring a robust online presence and managing a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities: Oversee the Sitecore CMS platform, manage a team of developers, collaborate on technology upgrades, ensure brand consistency on the website, and manage enterprise-level projects.

Skills: Strong technical acumen with experience in web platforms, CMS administration (preferably Sitecore), HTML/CSS, JavaScript, .NET, and strong communication skills are required for this role.

Qualifications: A Bachelor’s degree and at least eight years of experience in web services or digital communications in a leadership role are required; experience with Windows servers, SQL databases, and various development tools is preferred.

Location: Dallas, Texas, USA

Compensation: Not provided by employer. Typical compensation ranges for this position are between $100,000 - $150,000.

Salary Range: 

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences , Cox School of Business , Lyle School of Engineering , Meadows School of the Arts , Simmons School of Education and Human Development , Dedman School of Law , Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies .

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

SMU is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and technically savvy leader to serve as Director of Web Application Services. The role, reporting to the Associate CIO for Data and Application Services, is primarily responsible for the web content ecosystem, including the Sitecore CMS, Blog, university calendar, and related applications. This position is responsible for providing technical direction, team leadership, and alignment of SMU’s web presence by working closely with the centralized Marketing and Communications and distributed marketers. 

Essential Functions:

• Content Management System Service Ownership: Oversee the Sitecore CMS platform to ensure a continuously available web presence for www.smu.edu. Build and maintain a strong partnership with the Marketing and Communications team to develop and implement a unified content and platform strategy.
• Technical Management: Supervise and mentor a multidisciplinary team comprising front-end developers, back-end developers, administrators, and advanced support personnel. Manage the on-premises Sitecore stack in collaboration with server, network, and database administrators. Ensure consistent practices in development, QA, documentation, and support. Ensure the health of the Sitecore stack.
• Next Generation Technology: Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to develop an RFP for selecting the next-generation content platform. Provide assistance and support to the Associate Director throughout the migration, including partnership with the campus, execution of the migration to the new platform, training and communication, and determination of future staffing needs. 
• Brand and Content Management: Support the Associate Director in ensuring that the content and visuals of the SMU website conform to SMU’s branding standards, including content quality, accessibility, and site hygiene, to maintain SMU’s web presence. Collaborate to establish standards and procedures and communicate them to campus marketing teams across departments and colleges. 
• Project Management: Manage and execute enterprise-level projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu .

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefit s. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities , including tuition benefits .

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s is required.

Candidate with a minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in web services or digital communications with experience in a leadership or supervisory role is required.  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate with strong technical acumen, including hands-on experience with web platforms, CMS administration (with a preference for Sitecore), HTML/CSS, JavaScript, .NET development, IIS, and front-end best practices is desired. Candidate must demonstrate knowledge in administering Windows servers and Microsoft SQL databases. Experience with Docker/Containers, Jira, and Github.

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills. 

This position will required to be on call for emergencies or after-hours deployments. 

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply:

May 3, 2025.

Priority consideration may be given to those submissions received by April 17, 2025.