Cara Eccleston

Director of Web Strategy @Creighton University

Marketing Director💸 Marketing✔️ ITCopywriterMarketing Analytics ManagerBackend DeveloperFrontend DeveloperProject ManagerWeb DeveloperContent ManagerSEO Manager

With extensive experience in web development and a strong background in SEO and marketing, I bring a comprehensive approach to creating and optimizing websites. I specialize in website development and migration and have significant expertise working with Elementor Pro, ensuring seamless transitions and highly customizable site designs. I began my journey in 2011, building PHP sites and writing my own code for the University of Nebraska at Omaha. In 2012, I transitioned to responsive development, adapting to the growing need for mobile-friendly websites. By 2014, I built my first WordPress site, marking the start of my deep involvement with this versatile platform. Currently, I serve full-time as the Director of Web Strategy at Creighton University, where I oversee web development initiatives and strategic planning to enhance the university's online presence. And, I am seeking side work to help send my son to college. My skills encompass the full spectrum of web development, from building visually appealing and functional websites to implementing advanced SEO strategies that drive traffic and improve search engine rankings. I am adept at optimizing site structure, content, and technical aspects to enhance user experience and achieve better search visibility. I have successfully worked on a variety of projects, including large manufacturing, med spa, telecom, recruiting, sports publications, and university websites. In addition, my marketing expertise allows me to develop and execute campaigns that not only attract visitors but also convert them into loyal customers. By leveraging data-driven insights and industry best practices, I ensure that your website not only looks great but also performs exceptionally well in achieving your business goals.

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Work Background

Creighton UniversityDirector of Web Strategy

Apr. 2024Omaha, Nebraska, United StatesAs the Director of Web Strategy at Creighton University’s University Communications and Marketing (UCOM), I lead the strategic planning, development, and execution of web initiatives that support the university's mission and goals. My role involves overseeing the design, content, and functionality of the university's websites to ensure a cohesive, user-friendly, and accessible online presence. Key Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement comprehensive web strategies that align with the university's objectives, enhance user experience, and drive engagement across all digital platforms. Team Management: Lead a team of web professionals, including developers, designers, and content creators, fostering a collaborative environment to achieve our goals. Project Oversight: Manage large-scale web projects from conception to launch, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to best practices in web development and design. Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with university stakeholders to understand their needs and objectives, providing expert guidance and solutions that meet their requirements. Performance Optimization: Utilize web analytics and performance metrics to continuously improve the effectiveness of our web presence, driving data-informed decisions. Innovation and Trends: Stay abreast of the latest trends and technologies in web strategy and digital marketing, ensuring the university remains at the forefront of online innovation. Training and Support: Provide training and support to university staff and stakeholders, empowering them to maintain and update web content effectively.

FreelanceWeb Developer

Jun. 2018Omaha, Nebraska, United StatesDesigning and programming various websites across various industries and providing SEO insights and implementation.

Milan Laser Hair RemovalDirector of Development

Jan. 2024 - Feb. 2024Omaha, Nebraska, United StatesResponsible for managing and coordinating the design, development, testing, and maintenance of websites, software and applications. Other tasks include creating and managing project timelines and budgets, and ensuring projects stay within certain guidelines and meet specific expectations. I oversee many other tech professionals, including designers and developers, and many other dev-related personnel. I have a lot of interaction with upper-level management and stakeholders and prepare reports and proposals for executive members of a company to review and make decisions on.

Milan Laser Hair RemovalDirector of Web Development

Nov. 2022 - Jan. 2024Omaha, Nebraska, United StatesI lead a dynamic team of web developers and designers in UI/UX design and development. I also lead the programming of hundreds of websites, various web applications, system management, database administration, security implementation, infrastructure design, and project management.

Smith KroegerWeb Development Team Lead

Mar. 2022 - Sep. 2022Omaha, Nebraska, United StatesManaged a team of designers and developers, Managed approximately 50 websites, Wrote bids and proposals, Conducted analysis and provided performance reports for clients, Managed various hosting servers: Siteground, Kinsta, WP Engine, Managed technical and on-page SEO for all sites in SEMrush

Smith KroegerWeb Development Specialist

May. 2021 - Mar. 2022Omaha, Nebraska, United States

Self-EmployedFreelance Writer

Dec. 2017 - Mar. 2022Research industry-related topics (combining online sources, interviews and studies) Write clear marketing copy to promote our products/services Prepare well-structured drafts using Content Management Systems Proofread and edit blog posts before publication Submit work to editors for input and approval Coordinate with marketing and design teams to illustrate articles Conduct simple keyword research and use SEO guidelines to increase web traffic Promote content on social media Identify customers’ needs and gaps in our content and recommend new topics Ensure all-around consistency (style, fonts, images and tone) Update website content as needed

Schrock InnovationsSearch Engine Optimization Manager

Aug. 2019 - May. 2021Nebraska, United StatesResearch and implement white hat SEO techniques across various websites, Social Media Management, SEO analyses and reports, Wrote schema to enhance search rankings, Held meetings with clients, Frontend web development of various websites

Elliott Equipment CompanyMarketing/Lead Generation Management

Aug. 2015 - Oct. 2018Omaha, NEJoined team to develop and organize lead generation strategies and execute them effectively and establish company as a thought leader and information source for the industry. Managed CRM for sales reps (trained, maintained, qualified leads, metrics) Enhanced web presence through various alterations and maintenance Created content and built digital “learning center” Effectively managed large-scale trade shows Wrote, designed and implemented all sales and marketing literature Served as go-to for international distributor network Managed inbound marketing team, graphic design work, and all printing Email Marketing-content creation, message design, and distribution, used varied and diverse channels including print and online Developed materials and literature and interacted with internal and external clients to deliver messages to the public and the media Wrote and distributed press releases Served in support capacity, including administrative duties, such as meeting coordination and production timeline development Tracked the success of content dissemination (metrics and analytics) Met with engineering team to gain understanding of projects Marketed new and updated products Managed all photography and videography Lead generation and coordination Led benchmarking and dissemination to regional managers Coordinated the design and dissemination of all literature to nationwide distributor network Write and edit blogs, white papers, social media content (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube), and case studies Managed and maintained corporate website Data Mining Wrote and disseminate press releases Coordinated ad production with various contracted graphic designers Collaborated with numerous publications for advertising opportunities

AIM CareerlinkCommunications Manager

Oct. 2014 - May. 2015Greater Omaha AreaAchieved and regulated brand consistency Wrote compelling, impactful and brilliant content (3 blogs/wk, 2 case studies/year, 1 white paper/quarter) Email Marketing-content creation, message design, and distribution, used varied and diverse channels including print and online Developed materials and interacted with internal and external clients to deliver AIM’s messages to the public and the media Produced content for both print and Web Wrote and distributed press releases Graphic design Web development Served in support capacity, including administrative duties, such as meeting coordination and production timeline development Tracked the success of content dissemination (metrics and analytics) Radio Marketing Prompted return on investment from content marketing for first time in organization history

Great Plains CommunicationsWeb Developer/Designer

May. 2013 - Oct. 2014Blair, NebraskaResearch and Implement modern web design principles for 150+ web customers Conduct interviews with potential clients in person, through conference calls, as well as over phone and email Design, program, and update websites for 150+ web customers and corporate Troubleshoot server and site issues and alert other departments of issues Edited social media and assisted in other writing and editing tasks

University of Nebraska College of IS&TWriter & Editor/Print and Web Design

Jun. 2012 - May. 2013Omaha, NebraskaInterviewed PhDs in IT Wrote, edited, and designed newsletter Designed websites Advanced skills in Web Development Collaborated with peers to produce quality web designs Wrote/Edited Press Releases Prepared/Edited/Print Designed brochures and flyers for seminars, etc.