Assistant Director, Web User Experience and Strategy

UJA-Federation of New York is the largest local philanthropy in the world. For more than 100 years, we’ve brought New Yorkers together to solve some of the most pressing problems facing our community. Thanks to our network of hundreds of non-profits, we can leverage our expertise across any number of areas — including health and human services, arts and culture, and education — to care for Jews everywhere and New Yorkers of all backgrounds, respond to crises close to home and far away, and shape our Jewish future. Our reach extends from New York to Israel to nearly 70 other countries around the world, touching 4.5 million people each year.

We are seeking a senior-level digital leader to own and evolve the user experience and organic visibility of our web properties. This individual will lead the strategy, design, and implementation of experiences that drive user engagement, conversion, and sustained traffic growth – balancing the art of interface design with the science of performance optimization.

This individual will bring a strong command of UX/UI best practices, search engine optimization, data analytics, and digital systems. Working at the intersection of design, marketing, and technology, the person in this role will guide the continual improvement of UJA’s website by grounding every decision in data, collaborating across teams, and ensuring executional excellence. They will lead both internal and external teams in implementing enhancements that deliver meaningful impact for the organization and its users. The ideal candidate will be someone who can both drive the high-altitude strategic direction and roll up their sleeves to execute.

Key Responsibilities

Web UX Strategy & Optimization

• Lead and implement a clear, data-informed web strategy that continuously improves the usability, accessibility, and performance of UJA’s websites.
• Develop and maintain a roadmap of high-impact UX/UI optimizations that are informed by user behavior, business goals, analytics, testing, and evolving digital trends.
• Ensure user journeys are intuitive, engaging, accessible, cohesive, and aligned with marketing KPIs and conversion goals (donations, registrations, subscriptions).
• Create and enforce scalable design systems and templates that uphold brand guidelines and drive content efficiency.

Digital Product Ownership

• Serve as the product owner for UJA’s websites, overseeing some phases of digital feature and functionality development including communicating business requirements to the web project manager, identifying the underlying business needs behind new development requests, leading the UAT testing, and spearheading the future optimization.
• Act as a bridge between digital, marketing, fundraising, and IT teams—translating business goals into effective digital strategies to ensure web initiatives are coordinated, aligned with organizational priorities, and meet end-user needs.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to evaluate needs and identify scalable solutions using existing platforms or new technologies. Facilitate effective scoping discussions, helping stakeholders clarify goals and priorities for web initiatives.
• Liaise with IT and external partners to evaluate, implement, and maintain systems that support the organization’s digital strategy.
• Oversee and maintain mastery of the systems and technologies supporting our web properties (e.g., Proprietary Content Management System, Figma, Classy, GA4, Google Search Console, Google Tag Manager, Hotjar, SEMRush, BrowserStack, Usertesting.com).
• Manage technical documentation, system enhancements, and integrations across the current and future digital ecosystem.

Analytics, Testing & Insight-Driven Optimization

• Establish a strong framework for data-informed decision making across web UX and SEO initiatives.
• Partner with Digital Analytics team to define and track KPIs using tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Hotjar, and Tag Manager. Ensure proper tagging and conversion tracking are implemented for marketing attribution and performance analysis.
• Leverage analytics and user research to inform design and marketing decisions.
• Translate insights into actionable strategies for continuous improvement.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

• Own and execute UJA’s SEO strategy across all core properties, ensuring strong technical foundations, optimized content structures, and search-friendly UX.
• Conduct regular audits, keyword research, and competitive analysis to inform SEO roadmaps.
• Partner with content stakeholders to guide SEO-aligned content creation and metadata implementation.
• Monitor organic traffic performance, report on key KPIs, and continually optimize site visibility and indexation.
• Stay current with evolving search engine algorithms, generative engine optimization (GEO) strategies, industry updates, and best practices to ensure compliance and competitive edge.

Team & Vendor Leadership

• Manage, mentor, and develop a team responsible for web production, website analytic tools, UX design, and SEO, ensuring timely, high-quality execution of all digital updates and builds.
• Set clear expectations and cultivate a culture of continuous learning, accountability, and operational excellence, with clear documentation, workflows, and feedback loops.
• Oversee external partners (design, SEO, development) to ensure aligned priorities, effective execution, and on-budget delivery.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive experience in digital strategy, UX/UI design, and/or SEO, including 4+ years in a leadership or managerial role overseeing web production teams and vendors with a collaborative and proactive approach.
• Demonstrated success owning both the UX and SEO strategy for a mission-driven organization or growth-focused brand.
• Hands-on experience with CMS platforms (WordPress, Drupal, custom) and HTML/CSS.
• Fluency in web analytics platforms and ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Strong grasp of user-centered design, accessibility standards (WCAG), and responsive/mobile-first design principles.
• Expert understanding of information hierarchy and how to best display content on a page for maximum user engagement.
• Proficient in technical SEO, schema, site audits, and tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, etc.
• Familiarity with design systems and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Adobe XD).
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally with marketing, creative, and technical teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication, prioritization, and decision-making skills.
• Strategic thinker who can balance long-term vision with short-term execution.
• Experience in agile environments and digital product development a plus.
• Passion for mission-driven work; experience in the nonprofit or Jewish philanthropic space a plus.

Reports to: Executive Director of Digital Growth

Salary: $125,000 – 135,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications listed above.

Great Perks. Because We Appreciate Great Employees.

TIME OFF

We offer a generous number of vacation days and have the Jewish holidays off as well. Fridays our offices close early (October to March at 3:00 pm and April to September at 4:00 pm). All so you can relax and recharge.

HYBRID MODEL

We’re operating on a hybrid work model: three set days in the office and two days remote. So enjoy the best of both worlds — the comforts of home and the energy of the office.

HEALTH CARE

UJA provides a top-tier medical and dental plan, along with a flexible spending account. We also offer life insurance. And for a small cost you can take part in on-site yoga and exercise classes at our Manhattan office. Wellness matters to us.

PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT

UJA employees can enroll in a pension plan and tax deferred annuity.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Classes, workshops, and compelling speakers will keep you at the top of your game.

COMMUNITY

We come together as a staff to commemorate holidays (from Rosh Hashanah to MLK Day), volunteer at nonprofits, and celebrate our accomplishments together. (Our chocolate chip cookies are legendary!)

SOME MORE (YES, MORE!)

We also offer a commuter benefit plan, so you can get to work and feel good about it.