The Information Architect/Interactive Director will lead the digital team and serve as the agency champion for digital strategy and campaign integration. This position will be an integral part of the ongoing direction and strategy of new and existing business efforts. This position will be the internal resource for planning and brainstorming digital client efforts, and the primary client facing contact for digital related strategies. This is a leadership position in the agency with responsibilities that include strategy, project definition, project management, staffing, and execution of digital projects.

Responsibilities
•    Lead and manage an internal staff of digital professionals including designers, writers, and developers.
•    Serve as the agency thought leader on digital topics and strategy, including writing recommendations and presenting to clients, providing direction to company blog and social media post topics.
•    Provide a broad digital knowledge base to the company, being versed in a wide range of topics as well as the latest developments. You will be the front-line resource for questions and research.
•    Evaluate, plan, estimate, and write specifications for digital projects including outlining content and functional requirements and site maps/wire frames.
•    Manage the schedule of the digital team, bringing in additional resources as necessary.
•    Define the overall scope of projects, determine functional and user requirements, provide pricing and scheduling details based on recommendations.
•    Balance ongoing changes in prioritization and maintain flexibility to accommodate existing schedules, new business requirements, and client needs as they arise.
•    Create, refine, and present digital concepts, strategies, and recommendations both internally and to clients.

Qualifications and Experience
•    8+ years experience including having managed digital teams and demonstrated experience on a variety of projects including Web and mobile delivery.
•    Experience in a fast-paced, highly productive agency environment is preferred.
•    Experience in information architecture, site mapping, wire framing, requirements gathering, and project management.
•    Familiarity with SEO, SEM, usability and heuristics best practices.
•    Experience with content management systems, application development platforms, and beginning to end digital project planning and execution.
•    Demonstrated ability as a problem solver and an excellent communicator.

For more information email Gus Hattrich at gus@paradowski.com

In an earlier post, I revealed some simple tests that you can perform on your own website in order to gauge its visibility in search engines. This article focuses on the steps you can take to begin the transformation of your site to a successful online destination.

What can you do right now to improve your site?

This is where you pull out the Excel doc; for some, this is where it might get a little tedious. Below is an image from an old SEOmoz post on improving your auditing process. This is a good start to any auditing document – easy enough, right?

Take the key pages on your website and run them through the On-Page/Content Optimization check points.  Here it is crucial to know which general keywords you would like to target. This is why we preach beginning this process with defining business goals and keyword research.  We are not very far into making tactical or strategic decisions yet; however, you will rely on keyword research and business goals decisions before you take action.

When people ask “what are the things we can do to help right now?” our answer is almost always the same: page titles, URL structure, internal linking and content development. Optimizing these components will invariably shake things up for you in the engines. They may not mean fame, fortune, or instant success but these optimizations will indeed help.

When you combine all four on-site efforts, it can make a big difference in how high and how often your site ranks for relevant keyword phrases in search engines.

Most SEO experts agree that page titles and URL structures impact rankings more than any other on-site ranking signals.

However, it’s not always as easy as adding and improving elements within your site. Sometimes you will also need to build links to improve site health. The more competitive of an industry you are in, the more links you will need.

How do you go about finding these so-called links? How many do you need and how do you obtain them?

A quick and easy way to get the top-level inbound link insights is by utilizing a tool called opensiteexplorer.org. It is fairly accurate and updated often. Keep in mind that you are viewing trends; do not forget that none of this is an exact science. There are numerous dynamic variables at play. Keep in mind that you are viewing trends; do not forget that none of this is an exact science…there are numerous dynamic variables at play.

Above is a look at the whole picture – as you can see, this tool displays page/domain authority, and the inbound links. Below is a look into the “who,” or which specific websites are directly linking to your document. This tool even allows you to review the anchor text, which in this case is “St. Louis Post-Dispatch.”

Viewing your inbound links, should you have any, can be enlightening.  You might start to see how things are sorted within search engines. Unfortunately, we all start with zero inbounds, and if there isn’t something unique about your business, there is a very good chance you may remain at this level.  This is an awareness that can be a little depressing, especially when you discover your new competitor has hundreds or even thousands of inbound links. If this is the case, use the opportunity to learn from them versus giving up. Research what it is they’re doing to create links.

At this point, you must access one remaining item in order to make this a successful beginners site audit: the content. What valuable, enticing content is missing from your site? What content do you need to start creating success? Allow me to calm your fears and down and drop you back into reality. If you think you will 100% solve the content problem at this time, think again. You will never completely solve it. What you should do at this point and time is begin to identify buckets – categories that reflect the content your site is lacking.

1. Products and Services- it’s what you are here to do, so lets get to it. List the pages you need to create.
2. Sales Questions
3. Function Questions
4. Next Steps

The answer to what content your site is missing might live in buckets as simple as the four listed above. After you have created your list, prioritize the action steps according to business goals and the level of competition.

If you take away one thing away from this post, please let it be this: Do not start creating content that targets the most competitive key terms.

Should you discount my advice, you will kill motivation and funding. You will not generate the success needed to keep your team interested in future results and improvements.  Start with easy stuff in order to see success happen. Because beginning steps are easier than more advanced tactics (which you will pursue in the future), these may not be nearly as fruitful. They will, however, keep your team motivated and intrigued for the long haul.

The EA will also sit at the reception desk and be the first point of contact for external executives and client. Must possess a high degree of professionalism and business appearance. This is an ideal position for an enthusiastic learner to be part of an intimate team.

The primary responsibility of the Executive Assistant will be to provide a high level of administrative support in all areas of the CEO’s business life and manage areas of her personal life. Duties and skills required for this position include but are not limited to:

• Manage the daily schedule & calendar of the CEO and adapt to any emergencies or last minute changes.
• Manage information requests including the handling of confidential information, which requires discretion, diplomacy & integrity.
• Typical office work such as typing correspondence, answering phone calls, photocopying, mailing, faxing & filing.
• Efficiently coordinate travel arrangements for executives and their families.
• Persuasion skills are required because the Executive Assistant often must negotiate on behalf of the Co demands a high level of problem solving & organizational skills.
• Requires high attention to detail, the ability to anticipate the needs of the CEO way before the CEO anticipate the need and a high level of recall skills.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, as well as excellent telephone etiquette. professional demeanor & exceptional interpersonal skills are required.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team. requires a reliable personal vehicle for errands or tasks that would take the Executive Assistant out of the office.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office required in all areas including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, QuickBooks and Outlook as well as extensive knowledge of Apple products.

There is no job too big or small for the Executive Assistant and the person must be willing to approach this career in that manner. It is not possible to include all the little issues, crises, and questions that may arise and require handling on a day-to-day basis. Those who are prepared for a new experience each day will receive the most reward from this work. The Assistant will handle any and all duties as assigned by CEO anything that needs to come off of their plate the Assistant will be performing in order for the CEO to do her job efficiently. Must be thick skinned and not take business matters personally.

• Flexibility to work extended hours (including some weekends) and to be reached by phone outside of regular business hours required.
• Hours: M-F 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Some additional hours required as needed.
• This is a salaried position. Salary range is 22,500-25,000 based upon experience.

Bonus potential

• 
Benefits: Paid holiday, vacation and sick time after 6 months of employment. We are an excellent company with a great reputation and atmosphere to work in.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required. Minimum of seven years post-graduate experience in a professional environment supporting a senior-level executive. Stable employment history required.

To apply email michellenelson@back2basicsmarketing.com

Principal Responsibilities:

Implementing company-directed community programs with non-profit organizations, non-governmental organizations, Peabody employees, civic and business leaders and universities;

• Managing sponsorship of and employee engagement in regional events or activities;
• Managing the internal United Way campaign, including communications, tracking and employee volunteers;
• Serving as a contributing author for the company’s flagship communication vehicles including the company’s Corporate and Social Responsibility Report, newsletter, website and other communication vehicles, as needed;
• Managing a grants application database tool that includes frequent analyses of key constituencies and non-profit partners, as well as preparing financial reports and forecasts;
• Strategically reviewing and managing grant and sponsorship requests specific to the St. Louis region, and establishing beneficial relationships with signature sponsorship partners and grant awardees, with a keen focus on measurement and outcomes;
• Writing speaker remarks reflective of Peabody’s position on community engagement and assisting with public relations endeavors surrounding philanthropic partnerships;
• Supervising consultants or creative agency relationships on a project basis;
• Managing employee engagement activities including board membership, volunteer tracking and company-sanctioned event attendance;
• Supporting additional engagement activities as defined.

Required Skills, Functional Knowledge, and Experience:

• Ability to work safely and promote safe behavior in others;
• Acute knowledge of the non-profit and educational landscape of the St. Louis community;
• Proven ability to see projects through to completion, perform independently, work responsively and collaborate with team members;
• Proven ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects under tight deadline with a practiced aptitude to prioritize;
• Demonstrated experience interacting with community, cultural and civic organizations, governmental entities, and other key stakeholders;
• Ability to design and implement strategies and communication plans around community programs to influence opinions, change behaviors, engage employees, and recruit the next generation workforce;
• Strong oral and written communications skills and the talent to speak in public and make effective group presentations;
• Demonstrated professional experience and notable achievements in the areas listed above;
• Expertise in the Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, PowerPoint, Word and Excel;
• Behavior characterized by high ethical standards aligned with Peabody’s mission statement and code of business conduct.

Required Minimal Education:

• A bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a relevant career path;
• 7 to 10 years of communications experience;
• Portfolio.

Desired Skills, Education, Experience, and Certification:

• Knowledge of the energy industry and experience in a Corporate setting (preferred);
• Writing test may be administered prior to hiring

For more information visit https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGWEbHost/jobdetails.aspx?jobId=548278&partnerid=25413&siteid=5485

At MediaCross, we expect our account service personnel to go above and beyond, to be proactive and to constantly look for ways strategically guide and lead our clients. That’s why the role is named “lead strategist” – that’s what we expect you to be! You will be very involved in all aspects of a project, from proposals and strategic planning, to execution and measuring ROI. An ideal strategist does not only play close attention to every detail but is passionate about relationships. At MediaCross, lead strategists collaborate with our teams of digital, design, research, search and motion media experts to share ideas, create strong concepts and produce blockbuster work. Simply put, you make it happen!

We believe that a successful candidate will have 5-7 years of agency experience in strategic development and client management. She or he

• Is successful in coordinating deadlines, resources, team structure and process on multiple projects to ensure expectations are met.
• Approaches problems and obstacles as a potential to learn and grow as a professional
• Is a team player with ability to multi-task and work in a deadline-driven environment
• Is an excellent “bridge builder” with ability to balance being the client advocate with pushing the creative envelope and defending creative rationale.
• Has a positive attitude and a solutions-oriented mindset
• Is a very strong verbal and written communicator.
• Is creative, proactive and self-motivated
• Has the ability to provide big picture strategic thinking, vision and insights to drive big ideas and digital initiatives (search, social media, mobile and emerging technology).
• Have experience managing and executing integrated marketing plans and budgets across traditional and digital marketing channels.
• Is passionate about relationships and helping others
• Has excellent presentation skills; probably experience delivering dynamic presentations to clients and prospective clients from senior managers to C-Suite level
• Has the ability to think on their feet.
• Has the ability to take on multiple projects, carry a heavy work load and work in a flexible but deadline driven environment.
• Takes ownership of every project assigned to them and goes above and beyond to deliver at the very top of their ability
• Constantly looks to improve – both on a personal and a professional level

Please apply by email to laurenz@mediacross.com