Senior Web Strategy Lead, Harvard Library

27-Mar-2024

Harvard College Library

65435BR

Job Summary

Harvard Library Communications is looking for a digital strategist who can oversee the library’s flagship website redesign project and lead a cross-functional team to work with vendors and library content creators.

Reporting to the Director of Communications, the Senior Web Strategy Lead will manage the library.harvard.edu website redesign project and play a key role in developing the overall website strategy. They will serve as Product Owner, write RFPs, hire vendors, serve as primary liaison with the vendor, and lead the decision-making processes. Internally, they will be the leader of the library’s project team of cross-functional roles, convene and gather input from the oversight cabinet, and share project updates with the library staff community and stakeholders. They will be responsible for the successful completion of the project, from the beginning to delivery, including a transition to maintenance.

This role is a two-year term position and is primarily remote.

Position Description

• Product owner: serve as decider on all day-to-day items, from design to content, to technology, to accessibility. Some decisions will need stakeholder facilitation. Responsible for communicating decision, including documenting choice and rational. Communicate regularly with project co-sponsors, Director of Communications and Head of UX & Digital Accessibility.
• User-centered strategy & design: Guide external partners and internal team through complexity to find opportunities to improve and expand user experience for library.harvard.edu. Take research insights, turn them into strategy, and rally the team and stakeholders around the vision.
• Agile leadership: lead a matrixed team of library staff using Agile project management methodology, including convening and running meetings (backlog grooming; facilitating retrospective; etc.), assigning work, and being responsible for timely production and decisions.
• Communicate: update stakeholders, library content creators, and general staff on project progress. Write updates for project blog, convene and lead public meetings, and present progress to Library Leadership Team. Facilitate updating Writing and Brand guidelines for library content creators.
• RFP process: write RFPs for UX consultant and website design firm; orchestrate hiring and contracting process; serve as primary liaison with vendors; and manage budget and timeline.
• Technical: Facilitate collaboration between HUIT and vendor to integrate HarvardKey systems. Work with HUIT to develop long-term hosting plan, and Library Technology Services to develop ongoing technical maintenance expectations. Advise on technology choices. Ensure website exceeds accessibility standards.
• Governance and transition: plan the transition from existing website to new website; author governance plan.
• Change management: serve as advisor for change management for library staff, and website users.
• Advise on WordPress best practices and make connections to University’s larger WordPress community.

Basic Qualifications

Minimum of seven years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Superb interpersonal skills.
• Strong writing and editing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member with an ability to function effectively in a highly complex organizational environment.
• Organized, deadline-oriented, and dependable.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully under pressure, understand and implement policies and procedures, and be flexible as needed.
• Experience and confidence to set expectations with partners, peers, leaders, and stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently to execute work and communicate effectively with stakeholders, vendor, project team, and library content editors.
• Familiarity with Wordpress website redesign projects, academic libraries, and university websites.

Additional Information

Please note: This is a two year term position that is fully remote but will require on-campus work several times per month.

Work Format Details

This position is eligible for 100% remote work. Employees may work from any of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards ) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function

Communications

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

CM0758 Digital Strategist II

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Appointment End Date

30-Apr-2026

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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