Digital Communications Platforms Specialist

Role Description

This role is responsible for the day-to-day running and continual improvement of our core digital communications platforms to ensure they’re being used effectively and provide a high-quality experience for all users. These platforms play a vital role in student recruitment, the student experience and wider communication with staff, researchers and external audiences.

You will configure and optimise a range of key services, including:

• Using our internal search engine (Funnelback) and personalisation platform (VWO) to improve content discoverability and targeting of key user groups.
• Using monitoring tools (Siteimprove and Google Search Console) to enhance technical health, accessibility, and visibility on external search engines.
• Streamlining the use of our Terminalfour Web CMS to make it easier to use and more effective for the hundreds of members of staff using it to publish content to our website.

This role will also be responsible for expanding the use of our platforms, developing training materials and documentation to empower others to make data-driven decisions that improve recruitment and user outcomes.

 The role holder will:

• Administer multiple digital communications platforms.
• Enhance the usability and effectiveness of how the platforms are configured.
• Utilise search, personalisation and other digital tools to improve the user experience.
• Use monitoring platforms to identify areas for improvement in platform performance.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues on implementing necessary improvements.
• Develop training materials and documentation to enable others to effectively use the platforms.
• Liaise with external suppliers and vendors as required.
• Manage governance, including controlling access to systems and ensuring compliance.

 We work in a hybrid way, with a requirement for on-campus working at least one day per week. The role is not available for fully remote working.

 This is a fixed-term post for two years as part of a student recruitment website improvement project.

About the team

The Communications department brings together specialists in digital communications, media relations, internal communications, research communications and events. Our mission is to advance institutional profile and reputation, and help build a strong University community who feel informed, supported and connected.

 Within Communications, the Digital Platforms and Developments team consists of this post, two front-end developers, a web and UX designer and a team lead.

Skills, experience and qualifications needed

• Experience of administering multiple digital communications platforms.
• Experience of using digital platforms to optimise user experiences.
• Experience of developing training materials and documentation for digital platforms.
• Experience working with external technical partners or agencies to achieve project-specific goals.
• Strong understanding of technical web standards, including WCAG 2.2 guidelines.
• Working knowledge of front-end technologies (HTML/CSS) as they relate to CMS configuration.

Interview date: To be confirmed

For informal enquiries please contact Paul Kelly, Digital Platforms and Developments Manager, paul.kelly@york.ac.uk.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive  – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum (essential) criteria for each position will be offered an interview.  Read more about the University of York’s commitments under the Disability Confident scheme.