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, product, and portfolio management for higher education websites and services.
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 project management, 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
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 PASM team as part of OIT's strategic realignment, with a continued focus on project and product management of enterprise web services and mobile applications.
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.
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
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
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
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.
By setting priorities, shaping requirements, managing communications, and providing customer support, I manage strategy and operations for every stage of the product lifecycle.
From content management systems to social media, HTML to functional requirements, my understanding of online best practices helps clients improve their web presences.
As a versatile writer, judicious editor, and creative content strategist, I craft clear, strategic content for both online and offline channels.
I get results through analytics, branding, communications, and SEO – using creativity, insight, and hard data to create strong campaigns.
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
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
Supermom-ing my amazing daughters and dog
Working around the house and garden
Hiking, camping, kayaking, or hammocking
Acrylic painting (IG: @heyjillypaints)
Sharing a coffee or meal with friends
Going to concerts, listening to alternative rock, and being a Jimmy Eat World fan girl
Staying active on the trails, on my bike, on the yoga mat... Maybe I’ll run another marathon someday
Cheering for my teams and loving baseball season
Winding down with a good movie, show, or book
Eating Chicago thin crust pizza – yes, this exists!
Planning my next adventure!
Current
North Carolina Parent Teacher Association
Member ('21 - present)
Briarcliff Elementary PTA: Board Secretary ('22-24), Communications Chair ('22-25), Nominations, Teacher Support, Member
Previous
University of Pennsylvania Alumni Interview Program
NC-Raleigh/Wake Committee Chair, Raleigh/Cary Interview Manager, Alumni Interviewer
Distance Running Community
Raleigh City of Oaks Marathon Social Media Coordinator & Race Committee, Raleigh Galloway marathon training Team Lead, Fit-tastic! 5K training Mentor
Various
Children's Organizations, Church Ministries, and Political/Social Groups
Jillian is an experienced IT and communications professional based in the Research Triangle of North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham, Cary) – specializing in digital project management & strategic product management for higher education websites and services.
© 2025 Jillian C. Kuhn
Any opinions or views expressed are mine alone.
