Jillian C. Kuhn

Experienced leader of digital project teams & product lifecycles with a higher ed focus

I am a creative and technical problem solver, master planner, digital storyteller, and strategic communicator who leads teams that make useful things and crafts messages that make a difference.

Based near Raleigh, North Carolina, I specialize in digital project management, product management, and portfolio management for higher education / non-profit websites and services.

Professional Experience

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Current Position

Duke University Office of Information Technology (OIT)

Senior Portfolio Manager, Web & Mobile Applications

I have served as the project and product lead for Duke's flagship web team since 2013. Drawing from my two decades of web PM experience, I bring order and direction to digital projects and teams of all shapes and sizes across Duke University.

From starting a PM practice from scratch to spearheading new services that revolutionize how we do business, I have built every step of my career at OIT from the ground up, while helping my team navigate our evolving organizational structure, mission, and technologies.

I specialize in strategic priority projects, product management of enterprise website services and mobile apps, organizing and directing cross-functional teams, managing day-to-day internal operations, crafting project proposals and requirements that meet customer and end user needs, and coaching colleagues in digital project management.

Blazed trails in digital project management at Duke, defining and redefining my role every step of the way; created processes and set standards while guiding team through the transition from a project to product focus
Manages collaborative cross-functional teams on complex and high-profile projects, from duke.edu to DukeMobile, the President's office to professional schools, and administration to research
Saved hundreds of thousands of dollars by pioneering innovative reusable components and repeatable processes to reduce the need for custom work and improve productivity
Leads Sites@Duke Pro enterprise website service, from conception to launch and beyond – meeting all project goals, growing customers by 1216% over first 18 months, and managing the product roadmap and user support
Leaving my mark on the broader Duke IT community through prestigious two-year terms as coordinator of Duke's Information Technology Advisory Council and chair of the TechExpo conference for IT staff

Career Progression at OIT

2013: Project & Client Relations Manager, Duke Web Services

Joined Duke's internal web agency, which had been without a single project manager for some time. Built PM practice from the ground up. Managed all UX, design, and development projects, while also guiding resourcing and sales.

2018: Senior Project & Client Relations Manager, DWS

Grew PM team to 3 FTEs, and promoted to first-ever Senior position. Specialized in strategic priority projects and long-term engagements, as DWS reorganized to focus on more sustainable development and product management.

2024: Senior Portfolio Manager, DWS

Updated title reflects evolution of position away from one-off redesigns and maintenance toward service management and strategic projects, as well as expansion of role to serve both DWS and its parent groups.

2025: Senior Portfolio Manager, Project & Service Management

Merged into centralized PM team as part of OIT's strategic realignment, with a continued focus on project and product management of enterprise website services and mobile applications.

OIT Web Design & Development

Sites@Duke Pro

Speaking Engagements

A white redheaded woman wearing a conference speaker badge next to a sign announcing her conference presentation

I am an accomplished and engaging speaker – having delivered interactive conference sessions, department-wide presentations, lunch & learns, and multi-day courses, on topics such as digital project management, homegrown web products, and Google Analytics.

Presentation Details & Slides

Leadership & Training

Self-Leadership Certificate of Excellence (completed 2025)
TechExpo Chair, overseeing Duke’s annual 300-person offsite IT conference (2024- ); former Communications Chair (2022-24)
Information Technology Advisory Council Coordinator (two-year term: 2017-19), collaborating with CIO/VP of IT, senior IT staff, faculty, students to shape the direction of IT at Duke
Guide to Managing@Duke
Duke ProComm classes
Conferences & learning communities, including Bureau of Digital's PM Summit/Camp, High Ed Web/Digital Collegium, Duke TechExpo
Completed contact hours for Project Management Professional (PMP) certification

Past Positions

With my background in communications, I have also worked as an agency project manager, government communications officer, and television news promotions producer.

Freelance Communications

As an independent consultant on communications initiatives, I offer a wide range of services, including:

Copywriting and editing
Career and resume counseling
Website creation
Video, photo, and graphic production
Social media
Marketing strategy
Event planning

Services & Expertise

Project Management

Bringing order and direction to projects of all shapes and sizes, I efficiently guide project teams from conception to completion using proven digital PM techniques.

Product Management

By setting priorities, shaping requirements, managing communications, and providing customer support, I manage strategy and operations for every stage of the product lifecycle.

Web

From content management systems to social media, HTML to functional requirements, my understanding of online best practices helps clients improve their web presences.

Content

As a versatile writer, judicious editor, and creative content strategist, I craft clear, strategic content for both online and offline channels.

Marketing

I get results through analytics, branding, communications, and SEO – using creativity, insight, and hard data to create strong campaigns.

Media

As a former television news producer and press relations officer, I understand media strategies and am experienced in video, audio, and graphics production.

My top 5 Clifton Strengths: 1.) Learner 2.) Achiever 3.) Maximizer 4.) Arranger 5.) Discipline

Offline Life

The Basics

Location: Holly Springs, NC (outside Raleigh)

Hometown: Elk Grove Village, IL (NW suburbs of Chicago)

Alma mater: University of Pennsylvania – BA in Communication, minors in cinema studies & French, magna cum laude

A.K.A.: Jillian Carol Warren or Brown

You Can Find Me...

Supermomming (and soccer momming) my amazing daughters
Being walked around the neighborhood by my rescue dog
Working around the house and yard
Hiking, camping, kayaking, hammocking – or any combination of the above
Acrylic painting (heyjillypaints.com)
At a baseball game, coffee shop, movie theater, yoga class, or Jimmy Eat World-style alt rock show
Volunteering at our public schools (former PTA Secretary & Communications Chair here!)
Advocating for Chicago thin crust pizza
Planning my next adventure!

Get in touch!

Jillian is an experienced IT and communications professional based in the Research Triangle of North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary) – specializing in digital project management & product management for higher education websites and services.

Contact

Resume

Any opinions or views expressed are mine alone.

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