Director Of Digital Strategy

Department Overview

The Digital and Creative Strategy department helps build public understanding and support for the University of California and its mission through innovative and engaging digital, print, and other physical products. We work to steward the UC brand and to ensure a positive user experience for our varied audiences. As a team, we strive to build products we’re proud of, create processes that empower, and cultivate a culture where all can be authentic, inspired and valued.

The Director of Digital Strategy is a strategic leader charged with guiding the vision and development of UC systemwide digital products. This role leads the Digital Product team, overseeing UX, content strategy, and development for systemwide websites, applications, and tools. The Director is responsible for the end-to-end development of digital products, ensuring they align with the university's mission and departmental priorities.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Digital and Creative Strategy, this role also serves as a key advisor to leadership and internal and external partners, ensuring products remain engaging, usable, accessible, and on-brand.

• Management and digital strategy (50%):
  • Guides digital product ideation, development and execution, effectively balancing business, user, accessibility, branding, design, content and technology needs.
  • Creates cohesive, best-in-class digital experiences through ongoing cross-functional collaboration.
  • Ensures design consistency and adherence to brand guidelines, preserving systemwide brand identity across all digital products.
  • Establishes and guides strategy for UCOP’s flagship properties, various program sites and applications.
  • Builds consensus for both strategic and tactical decisions through ongoing collaboration with colleagues, partners and vendors.
  • Uses UX methodologies to ground ongoing decision-making while driving iterative product improvement.
  • Manages, mentors and trains individual team members, ensuring continued professional development and engagement.
  • Establishes goals and objectives that align with departmental priorities, tracking both personal and team progress.
  • Remains up-to-date on emerging UX, technology and content strategy trends, helping to advance department-wide thinking and best practices.
• Consultation and collaboration (25%):
  • Acts as the primary liaison between ER&C, ITS, and external vendors, ensuring seamless coordination.
  • Partners with leadership and cross-functional teams to advise on digital strategies, ensuring products effectively support UC’s priorities.
  • Fosters relationships with key stakeholders across UCOP and the UC system to drive collaboration and alignment on key initiatives.
• Project management (25%):
  • Develops project plans, budgets, and timelines for multiple digital projects of varying scope.
  • Ensures the delivery of high-quality digital products on time and within budget, balancing strategic goals with execution.
  • Anticipates and proactively addresses challenges, providing solutions to mitigate risks before they impact project success.

• Expertise in end-to-end digital product development, including UX design, content strategy, project planning, and technical execution, with a deep understanding of UX/UI best practices and accessibility standards.
• Strong leadership and team management experience, with the ability to communicate clearly about resources, dependencies, and expectations.
• Proven ability to hire, train, supervise, develop, and coach staff, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to effectively and diplomatically engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, able to independently generate insights and make informed decisions.
• Ability to set and communicate a long-term UX and digital strategy, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities.
• Strong ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines at once.
• Comfort in a rapid response environment; ability to quickly and effectively deploy digital solutions to emerging…