Communications Officer/Webmaster

Job Title: Communications Officer/Webmaster
Department: Communications Office
Immediate Supervisor: Communications Director
Location: Washington, DC or Bethlehem, Palestine

About this Position:
The Communications Officer/Webmaster will play a vital role in the communications function for Bethlehem University in the Holy Land. Based either in Washington, DC or in Bethlehem, Palestine, this person will be a member of a small (three person) Communications Department, which is a part of the Bethlehem University Advancement Office.
Bethlehem University has contracted with Blackbaud to redesign its website and implement Blackbaud NetCommunity Online Campus Community. Initially, the Communications Officer/Webmaster will have the significant and exciting opportunity to serve as the lead contact and coordinator for the University in working with staff and with Blackbaud to oversee and implement this transition to a new website (mostly in English, with some parts in Arabic, German, and other languages) integrating the current intranet and various affiliated domain websites of departments into a new “main website” for Bethlehem University.

This is the first time that the University is undergoing a redesign of its website while also reorienting the responsibility for the website from the Computer Center to the Communications Office. The Communications Officer/Webmaster will implement the transition of the website responsibilities, establish and chair the Bethlehem University Website Committee made up of representatives from academic and administrative offices.
Beyond this launch process, the Communications Officer/Webmaster will perform typical webmaster duties, coordinate and develop new electronic communications vehicles, provide ongoing web training for staff, and design and implement new web procedures and best practices to take Bethlehem University’s global web presence to the next level.

Primary Responsibilities:
Working as the lead University contact on a website redesign project, this position will lead the staff of the Advancement Office, Computer Center, Institute for Community Service, and other departments of Bethlehem University in working with Blackbaud, our project vendor.

Primary responsibilities include:
1-Initially oversee and lead the implementation of Bethlehem University’s responsibilities (as the client) and outlined in the Blackbaud Professional Services Scope of Work and according to the Project Plan timeline, to include a) Design Phase, b) Build & Test Phase, and c) Deliver & Support Phase.
2-In addition to the launch of the new website, the Communications Officer/Webmaster will:

Establish and oversee the University Website Committee to lead and coordinate the on-going web-based needs of the faculty, staff, administration, and students – as well as functionality for external constituents;
b-Develop a dynamic and interactive web experience, including managing content; creating and maintaining high-quality web pages; and writing engaging copy;
c-Contribute to the overall branding, messaging, and other marketing and communications strategies of Bethlehem University, enhancing its online presence and overall image and awareness;
d-Determine and oversee process to decentralize and coordinate web page management;
e-Manage Bethlehem University’s website – in coordination with the Computer Center staff and the Web Committee – by keeping it current, fresh, informative, accurate, and engaging;
f-Create and load web pages, maintain and edit current pages – and lead and coordinate the website work of the Computer Center staff, faculty and staff designated with the responsibility / permissions to do the same;
g-In coordination with the Website Committee, lead the implementation of design and graphic enhancements, as well as additional tools and new features that will help achieve Bethlehem University’s academic, administrative, communications and advancement needs and goals;
h-In coordination with Computer Center staff, oversee and manage technical integration with third-party software providers (if applicable);
i-Maintain cutting-edge knowledge of current and emerging technologies, industry trends and standards including, but not limited to, modern web browser capabilities and compatibility issues, and web content management “best practices”;
j-Lead website marketing activities, including tagging and search engine optimization; and
k-Continuously monitor, evaluate, and refine marketing approaches. Analyze and prepare monthly website statistics to track success of current features and inform ongoing web development efforts.

Secondary Responsibilities:
The Communications Officer/Webmaster will participate in regularly scheduled Skype, telephone and email correspondence with Bethlehem University officials and staff (especially the Web Committee, Computer Center and Advancement Office staff) located in Washington DC and in Bethlehem, Palestine.

Special Working Conditions:
Availability via mobile phone and email beyond regular work hours for emergency situations is required. In order to accommodate the seven hour time difference between Bethlehem, Palestine and Washington, DC, flexibility in working hours is required so that meetings between both locations can happen in a timely manner.

Travel:
Should the staff person be located in the Washington DC office, then at the onset of employment, the staff member will be required to travel to the campus of Bethlehem University in Bethlehem, Palestine for a 1-2 week period for an orientation process. Travel to campus is anticipated at least once per academic year or as is needed.

Qualifications:
 The successful candidate will possess the following skills, qualifications & attributes:
1-Minimum of three years of experience managing organizational websites, email blasts, designing for web, and managing projects;
2-Knowledge of fundamental marketing principles and practices as normally acquired through a Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or other related field of study;
3-Demonstrated success in developing plans and executing web strategies. Track record as a creative and strategic thinker;
4-Experience with online marketing – engaging, motivating, and driving readers to action;
5-Working knowledge of copywriting and editing principles associated with the production of promotional pieces. Excellent writing, proofreading, and editing skills required;
6-Must be able to effectively lead, communicate and collaborate with diverse constituencies with varying levels of technical knowledge;
7-Effective analytical, interpersonal, organizational, team building, and team leading skills are required;
8-Strong oral and written communication skills in the English language are required, with Arabic language skills desirable (N.B., members of the Web Committee and other staff can assist with Arabic language needs);
9-Significant successful experience in higher education or multi-disciplinary non-profit organizations;
10-The ability to work successfully on multiple time-sensitive projects across time zone differences and with persons of different cultures;
11-The ability to quickly adapt to and exercise leadership in different cultures and with different business practices;
12-Capacity to maintain poise and work effectively under pressure;
13-Experience with website content management systems; experience with Blackbaud NetCommunity Online Campus Solutions and Raiser’s Edge a plus;
14-Experience with website build-out and content migration; and
15-Self-motivated, energetic and sense of humor.

About Bethlehem University:
The first university established in the West Bank, Bethlehem University (www.bethlehem.edu) is a Catholic co-educational institution of higher learning founded in 1973 in the Lasallian tradition, open to students of all faith traditions. With over 3,000 enrolled students and nearly 13,000 alumni, Bethlehem University is a leading institution of higher learning offering bachelors and masters programs in a broad and practical range of fields in the arts, business, education, hotel management and tourism, nursing, and the sciences – as well as offering continuing education and professional diploma programs necessary to meet the needs of the Palestinian society to some 1,500 people annually.

About the University Advancement Office:
The staff of the Advancement Office (i.e., Alumni Relations, Communications, Development, and Guest Relations) is based in Washington, DC and in Bethlehem, Palestine. This small team of highly driven individuals, charged with regional, national and international responsibilities works cooperatively with faculty, staff, alumni, volunteers, and a number of governing and advisory Boards around the globe to promote Bethlehem University and to meet and exceed the financial fundraising goals of the University. The University is currently in the midst of its first ever comprehensive capital campaign ($35 million) to support new and expanding programs and facilities. With the current success of the first two years of the quiet phase of the campaign as a catalyst, the Advancement Office is being reshaped and expanded to best serve the needs of our alumni, volunteers, and donors as they help us meet the needs of our students and faculty. The Development Office, housed in Bethlehem, Palestine and in Washington DC, is staffed with a Vice President, two Assistant Vice Presidents, a Director of Major Gifts, and two Development Officers. The Communications Office, housed in Washington DC and in Bethlehem, Palestine, is staffed by three
persons. The Alumni Relations Office and the Guest Relations Office, housed in Bethlehem, Palestine, are staffed by four persons.

To Apply for this Position:
Please send the following materials to [email protected]:
1-Cover letter indicating your interest and specific qualification for this position;
2-Detailed Resume
3-Salary History/Expectations

No phone calls, please.