Posting Number: R0004890
Location: Portland Campus
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Instructions for Applicants:
Please read the following carefully before beginning the online application process.
To be considered for employment at Willamette University, please complete our online employment application. Your application and all required attachments - listed at the bottom of the page - must be submitted for each individual job post that you are interested in applying for. If there is an application deadline, please ensure that your application is submitted by the deadline. Once you submit your application you will not be able to edit your application.
Position Summary:
Willamette University is hiring a talented SEO Specialist to join the University's Marketing team. Reporting to the Web Developer, this is a permanent, full-time position and can be located in Salem, or Portland, Oregon. This position is responsible for improving the search engine optimization of Willamette University's website to ensure maximum website visibility and website conversion rates. This function is imperative to improving organic search rankings and increasing unpaid search volume to the website, and this individual will be responsible for measuring and optimizing website performance to meet Willamette's visibility and enrollment goals.
Reasonable Accommodations Statement:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
JOB DESCRIPTION:

• Develop and implement optimization strategies based on data-driven analysis that increases the university's search engine results page (SERP) organic rankings
• Research effective keywords to use throughout the university websites to increase SERP rankings and drive valuable traffic to the website
• Write compelling high-quality website content that is on brand, optimized for search engines, and converts visitors
• Review and analyze the university websites for areas that can be improved and optimized for SERP organic rankings
• Set measurable goals that demonstrate improvement in marketing efforts
• Monitor daily performance metrics to understand SEO strategy performance
• Build and present analytics reports, site audits, keyword analysis reports, and competitive analysis reports to university marketing team and leadership
• Collaborate with others within the university marketing department to manage SEO strategy
• Collaborate with web content contributors from other departments and advise them on SEO best practices
• Analyze keywords, SEO rankings and techniques used by competitors
• Keep updated on both "white hat" and "black hat" SEO strategies to stay within search engine guidelines and improve SERP rankings
• Assist with web performance, brand compliance, online reputation, and meeting enrollment goals
• Assist with information architecture, intranet, visual interface, user design, usability, ADA compliance, and other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum three years experience in developing and executing successful website SEO strategies
• Understanding of search engine algorithms and ranking methods
• Knowledge of keyword research and data mining tools
• Experience with SEO industry programs and tools such as Semrush and Siteimprove
• Experience with analytics programs such as GA4.
• Able to complete competitive SEO analysis of other college and university websites
• Working knowledge of web programming languages such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript
• Familiarity with content management systems
• Comfortable analyzing high volumes of data on a daily basis
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, and to identify and resolve problems
• Able to communicate effectively with excellent written and verbal presentation skills
• Outstanding organizational, analytical, time management, and research skills
• Works well independently and with colleagues on a team
• Learns quickly and enjoys taking on new challenges
• Must have a strong appreciation for diversity and enthusiasm for working with diverse populations

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in digital marketing, communications, marketing, information science, or a related degree is preferred
• Higher education SEO experience is strongly preferred
• Experience and knowledge of CRMs such as Slate
• Experience in higher education enrollment marketing

Salary: $78,290
Typical Work Schedule:
Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm
Physical Demands & Working Conditions:

• Typical work performed indoors in a normal office environment.
• Large percentage of time spent working at a computer screen or in meetings.

All University positions require that candidates submit to a criminal conviction record check prior to hire. Conviction does not automatically preclude candidates from being hired. Nature of conviction will be considered relative to the duties of the position.
You will need to upload the following two documents as part of your application materials in the "My Experience" section labeled Resume:

• Cover letter addressing the required/desired qualifications and presenting any other applicant characteristics which deserve emphasis
• Current Resume

Reviewing of applications will begin on February 1, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Believing that diversity contributes to academic excellence and to rich and rewarding communities, WU is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty, staff and student body. We seek candidates, particularly those from historically under-represented groups, whose work furthers diversity and who bring to campus varied experiences, perspectives and backgrounds.
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