William Alexander

Senior Web Developer & Digital Strategist

william@williamalexander.co | 540-819-9224 | Roanoke, VA

Professional Summary

Seasoned digital strategist and senior web developer with over 20 years of experience in web development, design, and digital marketing — nearly all of it within higher education. Proven ability to lead enterprise-scale digital initiatives, manage complex CMS migrations, and translate institutional goals into effective digital experiences. Known for combining strong technical acumen with a user-centered approach to web strategy, content design, and team collaboration.

Core Competencies

Web Development Excellence

Advanced WordPress Architecture
Full-Stack Development (HTML5, CSS3, PHP, JavaScript)
CMS Migrations & Theme Development
AWS & Cloud Infrastructure

Digital Strategy & Marketing

Strategic Digital Communications
SEO, Analytics, & Metric-Driven Optimization
Marketing Automation & Email Campaigns
User Experience Design & Accessibility

Leadership & Collaboration

Cross-Functional Team Leadership
Higher Education Web Ecosystems
Digital Marketing & Brand Alignment
Stakeholder Management

Professional Experience

Senior Web Developer

Sept 2022 – Present

Wake Forest University

Architect and optimize enterprise-level WordPress multisite installations hosted on AWS
Lead collaborative development teams using GitHub workflows and object-oriented PHP following S.O.L.I.D. principles
Drive continuous improvement of university web presence through strategic partnerships
Ensure scalable, secure infrastructure supporting exponential growth in digital properties

Web Development Manager

Sept 2021 – Sept 2022

Reynolds Community College

Orchestrated complete institutional transition from Modern Campus CMS to Cascade CMS
Designed and launched innovative WordPress-based event calendar system
Developed new college intranet using Cascade CMS
Modernized college catalog system from manual processes to dynamic digital platform

Assistant Director of Web Communications

Mar 2020 – Sept 2021

Sweet Briar College

Managed comprehensive WordPress Multisite ecosystem
Elevated college's digital presence through strategic web communications
Partnered with marketing teams to ensure brand consistency across all digital platforms

Freelance Web Developer & Digital Marketing Consultant

Sept 1999 – Present

WilliamAlexander.co

Built and sustained diverse client portfolio spanning 20+ years
Transformed client businesses through integrated web development and strategic digital marketing
Developed custom WordPress themes and plugins while implementing data-driven marketing strategies

Associate Professor of Communication Design & Web Development

2004 – 2019

Virginia Western Community College

Shaped next generation of digital professionals through innovative curriculum development
Bridged academic theory with industry practice through real-world project integration
Introduced new technologies and design practices to the program

Art Director

1999 – 2004

Leisure Publishing Company

Led creative vision for multiple publications, establishing brand standards and visual identity
Managed design, layout, and branding for print publications
Oversaw production and pre-press workflows

Pre-Press Manager

1997 – 1999

New River Newspapers

Managed production workflows ensuring quality and efficiency in daily newspaper operations
Directed print preparation, including color correction and layout

Education

M.S. in Information Technology – Web Design

Southern New Hampshire University | In Progress

M.A. in Liberal Studies – Creativity

Hollins University | 2005 – 2009

B.S. in Art – Graphic Design (Business Minor)

Radford University | 1993 – 1997

Technical Skills

Web Development

HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, PHP (OOP)
WordPress theme & plugin development
Git, AWS, Composer, CI/CD pipelines
CMS migration & integration

Digital Marketing & Analytics

Marketing strategy and campaign execution
Google Analytics & Data Studio
SEO audits, keyword strategy, and technical optimization
Email marketing automation & funnel creation

Design & Visual Communication

Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator
Branding, publication, and UI/UX design
Pre-press workflows and color correction