Senior Content Architect, VP Communications & Community Engagement

Description

The Brand Experience Department within VP Communications & Community Engagement is currently seeking a Full-time Staff Limited Term Senior Content Architect for approximately 1 year.

UCalgary is seeking a Senior Content Architect for its Digital Content team. Reporting to the Manager, Digital Content, this role focuses on developing content strategy and designing information architecture for institutional websites and other digital platforms. The goal is to align business objectives with improved user experiences, prioritizing usability and discoverability.

The Senior Content Architect takes a strategic, research-driven approach to building content models, information architectures, and navigation systems. By understanding user needs, business goals, and operational workflows, they ensure seamless content structures that support efficient and integrated content operations and service delivery.

This role requires collaboration with cross-functional teams, including content creators, UX designers, developers, marketers, and data analysts. Adept at facilitation and knowledge sharing, this person excels in communicating and engaging with stakeholders with varying levels of understanding and expertise.

This is a one-year, limited-term position with the opportunity for renewal, in a hybrid office environment.

The Senior Content Architect is the internal authority on content modeling and information architecture, translating business needs and user requirements into practical content solutions. They audit and redesign complex information architectures and taxonomies to enhance navigation and usability. In collaboration with technical teams, they create scalable, composable content architectures across multiple platforms and applications, ensuring a cohesive content strategy while working within system limitations and constraints.

A key part of this role involves exploring the integration of AI into content operations, from wireframing to automating authoring workflows, to improve efficiency.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Lead content and information architecture audits, aiming to simplify and enhance usability.
• Design a scalable content model in collaboration with design and development teams.
• Design and manage taxonomies and metadata with consistent classification systems able to handle category outliers.
• Create site maps and user flows with clearly defined relationships.
• Design effective navigation (global, local, and sectional) and wayfinding systems and establish nomenclature of navigation elements.
• Plan and conduct qualitative and quantitative research using various methodologies to gain insight into user mental models, preferences, and behaviours.
• Audit existing content models and make recommendations for an integrated content strategy and delivery model.
• Gather and analyze content requirements considering both end user needs and operational efficiencies.
• Build composable content models that establish types, attributes, and relationships and provide a repeatable, consistent framework for content creation.
• Map content workflows and processes (creation, editing, approvals, maintenance) to streamline operations.
• Create wireframes and prototypes, working closely with content strategists, product designers, and developers.
• Support the creation of governance documentation including guidelines and operating standards.
• Identify and integrate current practices in content and information architecture, including AI, composable content, localization and personalization practices, and omnichannel marketing.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing through training, workshops, and presentations.
• Build a strong network with colleagues from design, development, marketing, and communications teams and other departments across campus.
• Develop relationships with and provide consultation to senior management and other leaders.
• Provide coaching and mentorship to junior team members.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• 7-10 years working in user experience, content design, web design, or related fields, preferably in large organizations.
• A post-secondary degree in human-computer interaction, computer science, information sciences, marketing, or user experience design. AI certifications are an asset.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and managing complex information architectures and taxonomies.
• Strong background in designing and testing navigation and wayfinding systems.
• Proficient in using qualitative and quantitative UX research methodologies to evaluate IA performance.
• Skilled in wireframing, prototyping, and mapping to generate content models, layouts, and IA artifacts.
• Experience with design (e.g., Figma or Sketch), mapping (e.g., DYNO Mapper, Lucidchart), as well as research and testing tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Useberry, Lucky Orange, Optimal Workshop).
• Experience in content migration and auditing during large-scale website revitalization projects.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate technical concepts into simple language.
• Ability to provide coaching and mentorship to junior team members.
• Independent, entrepreneurial problem-solver with cross-team collaboration skills and good professional acumen.
• Knowledge of AI, composable content, headless systems, WCAG, localization and personalization practices is desirable.
• Understanding of data modeling techniques and programming languages would be an asset.

Application Deadline:  September 24, 2024.

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Technical Job Family, Phase 3.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website. 

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role. 

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.