Digital Engagement Specialist

The UConn Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization that supports the University of Connecticut by connecting alumni, donors, and friends with philanthropic opportunities to advance UConn’s educational, research, and service missions. Our work strengthens the University’s momentum as a top public research institution and supports students, faculty, patients, alumni, and communities across UConn and UConn Health.

Through Because of UConn: The Campaign for UConn Nation, the Foundation is helping drive UConn’s most ambitious comprehensive campaign, a $1.5 billion effort spanning all schools, colleges, campuses, and UConn Health. The campaign focuses on four pillars that make education more affordable, expand discovery and innovation, improve health and wellness, and strengthen Husky Pride.

• Students First: expanding financial aid, student health, career readiness, and life skills.
• Academic & Innovation Excellence: investing in faculty, graduate fellows, research, and innovation.
• Health & Wellness of People & Planet: advancing patient care, medical research, and life-changing technologies.
• Husky Pride: supporting athletic excellence and an engaged UConn Nation of more than 290,000 alumni worldwide.

We seek talented professionals to join The UConn Foundation and help grow philanthropy, engage alumni and donors, and build a strong endowment that strategically advances UConn and UConn Health.

We are committed to a caring, supportive environment through commitment to our Core Values of Purpose, Excellence, Culture, Communication, and Integrity.

The UConn Foundation is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. We value different perspectives and are committed to a welcoming environment that respects each person’s experiences and identity.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Digital Engagement Specialist serves as the lead administrator for the Foundation's event and auction technology platforms and supports the execution of digital engagement strategies that enhance constituent experiences across fundraising, alumni, and engagement initiatives. This position partners closely with Programming Services, Alumni Relations, Gift Processing, Athletics, and other stakeholders to manage platform configuration, registration and auction workflows, marketing automation, and constituent communications. The Specialist develops and maintains business processes, governance standards, training resources, and documentation while supporting automated engagement journeys, email campaigns, and platform integrations.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as lead for the Foundation's event and auction technology platform, acting as a responsive and collaborative point of contact for internal clients, helping departments understand platform options and requirements, and moving projects forward with clear communication and strong follow-through.
• Partner with Programming Services to establish business processes, user governance, system configurations, and training resources.
• Work with stakeholders in Alumni Relations to support event registration, communications, reporting, and constituent experience improvements.
• Operationalize the on-line registration module in partnership with Programming Services to ensure functionality, efficiency, and accuracy between the event platform and Foundation CRM for data integrity.
• Develop standards and best practices for event setup, data collection, registration workflows, auction configuration, and post-event engagement activities.
• Document workflows, SOPs, training materials, and user guides.
• Collaborate with web, email, crowdfunding, and direct response to ensure consistent constituent experiences across platforms.
• Identify process improvements that increase efficiency and reduce friction for internal stakeholders.
• Manage marketing automation workflows across email and digital engagement platforms.
• Support the development and implementation of constituent engagement journeys, automated communications, nurture campaigns, and triggered messages.
• Support audience segmentation, list management, and data quality processes to ensure accurate, effective, and compliant constituent communications.
• Partner with Digital Marketing Specialist on building and scheduling email campaigns in support of donor cultivation, acquisition, and engagement.
• Partner with Programming Services and Analytics teams to support campaign tracking, data collection, and reporting requirements.
• Monitor, test, troubleshoot, and optimize automated communication workflows to ensure a seamless constituent experience and support engagement goals.
• Model and articulate the Foundation’s organizational core values at all times.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Leadership

Provide visible leadership across the entire organization by engaging in organization-wide activities such as department meetings, all-staff meetings, and staff events.

Key Competencies

• Champion for inclusive priorities both internally and externally.
• Knowledge of digital engagement strategies, constituent communication best practices, and emerging technologies.
• Experience administering technology platforms and supporting user adoption through training and documentation.
• Working knowledge of Outlook Office Suite, CRM systems, event management, auction, email marketing, marketing automation, and constituent engagement platforms.
• Provide responsive, solutions-focused support to internal partners, building strong working relationships and ensuring a positive experience with digital engagement platforms and services.
• Ability to identify process improvement opportunities and implement effective solutions.
• High level of motivation and ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Strong interpersonal skills, tact, and diplomacy.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build productive relationships with stakeholders across departments.
• Strong customer service orientation and commitment to providing excellent support to internal partners.
• Ability to learn new technologies quickly and adapt to evolving business needs.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3+ years of experience in Engagement, Platform Management, System Analyst or other relevant experience.

Salary:

The salary range for this position is $65,000-$75,000. It will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also placing an emphasis on internal equity.

Benefits:

Benefits start from day one. We offer medical, dental, and vision plans and will make an annual contribution to your health savings account if enrolled in one of the high-deductible health plans offered by the Foundation.

In addition, there are a few other perks to being a UConn Foundation employee:

• We offer a generous contribution to your 403(b) retirement plan to help you plan for retirement.
• We place an emphasis on work/life balance. In addition to a hybrid schedule, you will receive thirteen paid holidays, five weeks of paid time off per calendar year, and additional sick time.
• We invest in your professional development. Aside from opportunities to participate in various trainings, committees, and conferences throughout the year, you will also be eligible for tuition reimbursement after one year of employment.

Please contact an Employee Support & Experience team member if you need any assistance completing any forms or participating in any part of the application process due to a disability.