Processes and Productivity Sample job description for an intranet manager You've decided to hire an intranet manager, but what kind of person should you look for? We have two sample job descriptions to help you hire the right teammate. 5 minute read Table of contents You might also like… Whitepaper Intranet use cases Whitepaper Award-winning intranets Some intranets are managed by no one. Other intranets are managed off the side of someone’s desk. But the best intranets have dedicated, intranet managers. You might be thinking, “We don’t have the capacity to hire a full time dedicated intranet manager!” And that’s ok. Most organizations rely on a hybrid of HR, communications, or even IT to manage and maintain their intranet. However, it’s still important to understand what tasks and responsibilities are required for anyone involved in overseeing your intranet. We’ve provided two example job descriptions below. The first example is a more senior, strategic role. The second example is a more junior, operational role. Feel free to take these job descriptions and edit as needed. Senior Intranet Manager Job Description (more strategic) The Senior Intranet Manager will manage the current intranet and/or lead the project to build a new intranet. For all stages of the intranet’s development, this person will hold responsibility for the overall visual design, site navigation, site content, engagement and training of users, coordination with key stakeholders and oversight of the technology. If you aren’t hiring a dedicated intranet manager, these responsibilities will likely be managed by a design or project management team. What role does an intranet manager play? Learn about your intranet users and what motivates them in this guide. Download now Primary responsibilities Content: The actual words and files on the intranet Coordinate the creation of a visual design and theme for the intranet Conduct research to understand intranet user needs Lead efforts to create and maintain a sound site navigation (information architecture) Manage the homepage to maintain a proper balance of content and tools Oversee authoring and proper use of online channels for official company news Lead projects to improve sections of the intranet or deliver new tools through the intranet Monitor user-generated content for appropriateness Monitor site analytics and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) Technology: The underlying hardware and software Oversee software selection, including creation of requirements/specifications Ensure proper coordination between the IT Department and intranet software vendors Understand the basic technology platforms at play Liaise with the IT Department and software vendors on technical questions of implementation and upgrades Manage common administrative tasks in the intranet software, or liaise with IT staff around those tasks Engagement: Interaction with users and stakeholders Coordinate oversight and planning bodies Manage the core implementation team Work closely with key stakeholders to understand their needs and involve them in planning and problem solving (including Communications, IT, HR, Risk and Legal, as well as executives and administrative staff) Coordinate the efforts of central content owners Involve users in structured design and planning activities Communicate actively with all main stakeholder and user groups Support intranet group owners in maintaining active communities Provide introductions and training to users of all different levels (including average users, content owners, news authors, group owners) Administrative responsibilities Engage consultants as necessary for implementing certain development, planning and design activities Maintain the intranet project budget Qualifications & skills 2 to 5 years of experience managing and implementing intranets or collaboration software Understanding of top level business strategies and organizational structures Project management experience Excellent verbal & written communication skills Excellent interpersonal skills Strong leadership skills to coordinate and facilitate activities with colleagues Ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations with diplomacy Highly experienced with Office applications, including word-processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software High level of comfort with social software and other web-based technologies Intranet Manager Job Description (more operational) The Intranet Manager is responsible for day-to-day operation and management of the company intranet. This person is responsible for maintaining the visual design, site navigation and site content. They are also responsible for coordinating key stakeholders, engaging and training users, and monitoring the health of the underlying technology. Again, if you are not pursuing a dedicated intranet manager, these tasks would likely be shared by HR, communications, or IT. Primary responsibilities Maintain a sound site navigation (information architecture) Manage the homepage to maintain a proper balance of content and tools Oversee authoring and proper use of online channels for official company news Lead projects to improve sections of the intranet or deliver new tools through the intranet Monitor user-generated content for appropriateness Monitor site analytics and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) Ensure proper coordination between the IT Department and intranet software vendors Liaise with the IT Department and software vendors on technical questions of implementation and upgrades Manage common administrative tasks in the intranet software, or liaise with IT staff around those tasks Work closely with key stakeholders to understand their needs and involve them in planning and problem solving (including Communications, IT, HR, Risk and Legal, as well as executives and administrative staff) Coordinate the efforts of central content owners Communicate actively with all main stakeholder and user groups Support intranet group owners in maintaining active communities Provide introductions and training to users of all different levels (including average users, content owners, news authors, group owners) Qualifications & skills 2 to 5 years implementing or managing web sites or intranets Basic understanding of the components of common web technology (HTML, CSS, Javascript) Excellent verbal & written communication skills Excellent organizational and project coordination skills Excellent interpersonal skills Ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations with diplomacy Highly experienced with Office applications, including word-processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software High level of comfort with social software and other web-based technologies More on hiring an intranet manager What matters more than the qualifications above is the personality and character of your new Intranet Manager. Look for someone who is: Smart and thoughtful A good learner Inclusive and good at listening Well organized Now that you’ve drafted the position description for your new Intranet Manager, explore the techniques and practices that lead to an excellent intranet. See our getting started resources page for free, helpful resources.