Senior Director of Email Strategy & Operations

The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Senior Director of Email Strategy and Operations. Reporting to the Executive Director of Digital Strategy and Innovation, the Senior Director of Email Strategy and Operations is responsible for leading the University of Tennessee Foundation’s enterprise- level use of Salesforce Marketing Cloud (SFMC), providing strategy and operational oversight of email communications across all campuses and institutes.  

 This role drives campaign effectiveness, platform governance, audience segmentation, journey optimization, and email automation to support UTFI’s donor and alumni engagement goals. The Senior Director sets the long-term vision for email platform growth and alignment with organizational strategy, ensuring effective integration with CRM data, campaign infrastructure, and digital engagement priorities. 
 
While email is the primary focus, this position also prepares the organization for potential expansion into additional messaging channels such as SMS or mobile notifications. The Senior Director supervises a team of Marketing Cloud specialists and leads cross-campus collaboration to enable scalable, data-informed, and high-impact digital messaging. 

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

 

Platform Strategy and Leadership: Strategic and operational lead for Salesforce Marketing Cloud across the UTFI enterprise. Set long- term vision for email platform evolution, integrating with UTFI’s CRM strategy and preparing for future channel expansion. Establish governance standards for campaign structure, audience segmentation, personalization, and automation across advancement communications. 

 

Automation and Journey Optimization: Design and guide implementation of automated journeys and triggered campaigns to increase engagement, retention, and personalization. Translate advancement goals into scalable email automations using Journey Builder, Automation Studio, and dynamic content features. 

 

Leadership and Internal Enablement: Supervise Salesforce Marketing Cloud team members, including content creators, automation specialist, QA staff, and developers.  

 

Analytics and Optimization: Monitor campaign and platform performance using deliverability, engagement, and conversion metrics. Identify trends and gaps in segmentation, content strategy, or automation logic; recommend adjustment to improve impact.  

 

Vendor and Stakeholder Relations: Serve as UTFI’s primary strategy contact for Salesforce Marketing Cloud and related services. Represent the email operations function in cross- functional planning, CRM governance, and advancement communications discussions. Advocate for platform enhancements, roadmap alignment, and internal resource development to support long- term messaging needs.

Required Education and Experience 

The candidate who fills the Senior Director of Email Strategy and Operations position is required to have: 

• Bachelor’s degree 

• 7+ years of experience in digital communications or marketing, with a focus on email strategy and operations 

• Demonstrated expertise with Salesforce Marketing Cloud (Email Studio, Automation Studio, Journey Builder) 

• Strong leadership, collaboration and project management skills 

• Knowledge of email accessibility, deliverability, CAN-SPAM compliance, and digital privacy standards 

• Experience designing data- driven engagement campaigns and measuring their impact 

 

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 5 years of experience. 

 

Preferred Education and Experience 

In addition to meeting the required qualifications, the preferred candidate will have: 

• 10+ years of experience in digital engagement or advancement communications, preferably in higher education or nonprofit setting 

• Experience managing platform teams, enterprise campaign portfolios, or multi campus communication environments 

• Strong working knowledge of responsiveness email design and AMPscript; ability to guide and evaluate HTML builds, even if not the primary developer 

• Experience with SMS or mobile messaging platforms is a plus 

• Strong analytical skills with experience in marketing automation reporting and optimization  

 

Application Process: Priority will be given to applications received on or before September 5, 2025, via our DASH application system. Applications must include a completed candidate profile, cover letter, and resume. Candidates selected to move forward in the evaluation process will be asked to provide contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without explicit permission of the candidate.  

 

When determining minimum qualifications, only information entered into the candidate profile can be considered. Please ensure your candidate profile is completed in its entirety as it relates to qualifying education/work experience.  

 

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment visa status. 

 

Questions about the search may be directed to hr@utfi.org.  

 

Target Start Date: Fall 2025 

 

Benefits: The Foundation’s greatest asset is our team. Foundation employees are eligible for a comprehensive suite of benefits that includes: 

 

• 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, offering a hybrid schedule to most team members 

• 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 

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The Foundation: The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that serves as the preferred channel for private contributions benefiting students and faculty within the UT System. With a vision of being one of the top-performing advancement organizations in higher education, UTFI is committed to enhancing the educational landscape across the University of Tennessee campuses. 

 

 

The UT System: The University of Tennessee System is comprised of campuses at Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski, Martin and the Health Science Center at Memphis; the Institute of Agriculture; and the Institute for Public Service.  

 

The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc. is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law.