Associate Director of Digital Strategy at University of Tennessee | Knoxville, TN

Associate Director of Digital Strategy

Knoxville, TN (Unknown)

Salary Not AvailableMid Level3+ years expFull time

Posted 2 months ago

Job Summary

Own the Advancement web program with end-to-end ownership of platform strategy, performance, and cross-campus collaboration to hit fundraising and engagement goals.

Web Strategy and Performance: Own the architecture, management, and upgrades of key Advancement platforms and forms, balancing brand, accessibility, and donor-focused initiatives.
Analytics and Accessibility: Drive traffic and conversion insights using Analytics/Tag Manager, maintain WCAG compliance, and translate data into leadership-ready recommendations.
Digital Collaboration: Align web workstreams with foundation standards, campus partners, and campaign priorities to ensure timely delivery and long-range planning.

Job Description

Responsibilities

Web Strategy, Development and Oversight: Leads strategy, architecture, and day-to-day management of Advancement web platforms (including alumni.utk.edu and giving.utk.edu) and online forms via Formstack, ensuring all digital experiences align with division priorities, brand standards, accessibility requirements, and fundraising/engagement goals. Partners with Advancement leadership, colleagues, and campus stakeholders to recommend digital solutions, lead high-impact web initiatives, and serve as primary point of contact for major platform enhancements and changes. Represents Advancement on the campus-wide Web Developers Roundtable to ensure alignment with the Office of Communications and Marketing web standards and best practices.
Data, Analytics, and Performance Optimization: Leads web performance analysis using Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, and related tools to evaluate traffic, engagement, and conversions, translating insights into strategic recommendations, dashboards, and reporting for Advancement leadership. Maintains UTM tracking standards, evaluates SEO performance, and develops metrics to assess digital effectiveness and brand awareness. Serves as the team's expert on WCAG 2.0 accessibility standards, monitoring digital communications for ongoing compliance.
Digital Coordination and Partnership: Collaborates with the Digital Strategy and Innovation team and campus partners to align web tools, technical solutions, and strategies with foundation-wide digital standards and operational goals like donor engagement and event participation. Coordinates timelines, reviews, and approvals across web projects, working closely with digital communications colleagues to align efforts with broader Advancement messaging. Contributes to long-range digital planning to ensure platforms evolve with audience needs and campaign priorities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
3+ years of professional experience in web strategy, digital communications, website management, analytics, or digital marketing, or related fields.
Demonstrated experience managing and optimizing websites in WordPress or comparable content management systems.
Proficiency with Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager; experience developing and interpreting data-informed insights.
Working knowledge of HTML and CSS; general understanding of JavaScript concepts and how scripts affect web performance and tracking.
Strong understanding of web accessibility principles and standards (WCAG), with experience applying inclusive design practices.
Knowledge of SEO best practices and performance optimization techniques.
Demonstrated ability to translate organizational goals into effective digital strategies while managing day-to-day execution and website operations.
Strong analytical, organizational, strategic planning, and project management skills.
Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical partners.
Collaborative, solution-oriented mindset and a commitment to advancing the mission of The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
A valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record is required due to travel responsibilities of the position. UTFI reserves the right to consider all appropriate circumstances. In general, any significant driving offense less than 12 months old will eliminate the application from consideration for the position.
Note - Candidates holding a graduate degree must have at least 1 year of experience.

Nice to Have

Higher Education experience

Benefits

Generous paid leave , accruing up to 24 days of vacation and 12 days of sick leave annually, plus 14 paid holidays and administrative closing days
Flexible work arrangements, including one remote workday per week, may be available after six months of employment
Education benefits for employees and their dependents at UT System campuses
Retirement and deferred compensation plans, including 401(k), 403(b), etc.
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
Employee discounts to attractions, services, and goods

University of Tennessee

The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville. Founded in 1794, it is the flagship institution of the statewide University of Tennessee system with nine undergraduate departments and eleven graduate departments and hosts more than 26,000 students from all 50 states and more than 100 foreign countries. In its 2009 ranking of universities, U.S. News & World Report ranked UT 118th among national universities and 52nd among public institutions of higher learning. Its ties to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, established under UT President Andrew Holt and continued under the UT-Battelle partnership, have positioned the University as co-manager and allow for considerable research opportunities for faculty and students enjoyed by few other institutions of comparable standing.Also affiliated with the University are the Howard H. Baker, Jr. Center for Public Policy, the University of Tennessee Anthropological Research Facility, and the University of Tennessee Arboretum, which occupies 250 acres of nearby Oak Ridge, Tennessee and features hundreds of species of plants indigenous to the region. The University is a direct partner of the University of Tennessee Medical Center, the only Level I trauma center in the East Tennessee region and a self-proclaimed 'teaching hospital' due to its aggressive medical research programs and position as the primary career destination for most medical school graduates of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center at Memphis.

Founded in 1913

USA

6K employees (267 in marketing)

www.utk.edu