Jillian C. Kuhn
Manager of Digital Things in Higher Education
also known as Jillian Warren Brown
I am a creative and technical problem solver, master planner, storyteller, and strategic communicator who leads teams that make useful things and messages that make a difference.
Based in North Carolina, I specialize in digital project, product, and portfolio management for higher education websites and services.
Professional Experience
Current Position
Senior Portfolio Manager, Duke Web Services
Duke University Office of Information Technology (OIT)
As the project & product lead for Duke University OIT's in-house web team, I draw from my nearly two decades of web PM experience to bring order and direction to Duke digital projects and teams of all shapes and sizes.
Taking the group's project/product management practice from non-existent to a team of 3, I built my positions here from the ground up, while helping the team navigate our evolving organizational structure, mission, and technologies.
I specialize in strategic priority projects, client relationship management, daily internal operations and resourcing, project proposals that meet customer needs, and coaching colleagues in digital project management. As the product manager of our new enterprise website service, Sites@Duke Pro, I have shaped the product and its processes from initial planning, execution, and marketing to service launch, maintenance, growth, and beyond.
Evolution of Position:
Senior Portfolio Manager (2024 – )
Senior Project & Client Relations Manager (2018 - 24)
Project & Client Relations Manager (2013 - 18)
Highlights
As the first Senior Porftolio Manager and Senior Project & Client Relations Manager, guided team through transition from a project to product focus
Manages collaborative cross-functional teams on complex and high-profile projects, from the President's office to professional schools, 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
Led Sites@Duke Pro product from conception to launch, meeting all initial project goals and growing customers by 1216% over 18 months
Activities
Current event Co-Chair and former Communications Chair (2022-24) for TechExpo , Duke’s annual IT conference
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 Communicators
Former OIT Communications Liaison & TechFair committee member
Co-founder of Triangle DPMs
Conferences & Education
Duke ProComm classes
Annual Duke TechExpo
High Ed Web Annual (2021, '20) & NC Regional ('24) Conferences
Digital PM Summit (2019, '17, '16, '14) & Digital PM Camp (2018)
Completed contact hours for Project Management Professional (PMP) certification (2015)
Speaking Engagements
Duke LearnIT@Lunch sessions: "Choose Your Own Adventure: Website Options at Duke" (2023), "Getting Started with Google Analytics 4" (2023), “Making Informed Decisions: Google Analytics Crash Course" (2019)
Duke TechExpo: "Website Development Options at Duke" (2023), "Digital Project Management for Non-Project-Managers" (2017), "Getting More out of Google Analytics" (2015)
OIT Update: "Sites@Duke Pro: Year One" (2022)
Bureau of Digital DPM Summit interactive session: "Doing a Lot with a Little: Project Management at Scale" (2019)
Duke ProComm multi-day course: "Putting Web Metrics to Work" (2015, 2017, 2019)
Duke CFAR Fall Scientific Retreat: "Duke Center for AIDS Research Website" (2014)
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: Cary, NC
Hometown: Elk Grove Village, IL
Alma mater: University of Pennsylvania – BA in Communication, minors in cinema studies & French, magna cum laude
A.K.A.: Jillian Carol Kuhn / Warren / Brown... or any combination of those names
You Can Find Me...
Supermom-ing my amazing daughters and puppy
Working around the house and garden
Hiking, camping, kayaking, or hammocking
Acrylic painting (IG: @heyjillypaints)
Staying active on the trails, on my bike, on the yoga mat... Maybe I’ll run another marathon someday
Sharing a coffee or meal with friends
Going to concerts, listening to alternative rock, and being a Jimmy Eat World fan girl
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!
Volunteer Activities
Current
North Carolina Parent Teacher Association
Briarcliff Elementary PTA (2022 - present)
Secretary (2-year term: '22-24)
Committees: Communications (Chair), Nominations, Teacher Support
Member ('21 - present)
Previous
Various
Children's Organizations, Church Ministries, and Political/Social Groups
University of Pennsylvania Alumni Interview Program
NC-Raleigh/Wake Committee Chair, Raleigh/Cary Interview Manager, Alumni Interviewer ('06 - 18)
Distance Running Community
Raleigh City of Oaks Marathon Social Media Coordinator & Race Committee, Raleigh Galloway marathon training Team Lead, Fit-tastic! 5K training Mentor ('13 - 14)
