Digital Strategy Director

Description

Role: Digital Strategy Director

Location: Remote, US Based

Travel: This position requires periodic travel, typically up to four trips per year (approximately once per quarter), to support key organizational meetings and global initiatives.

Position Summary

The Director of Digital Strategy is a new position at Operation Smile, responsible for developing and growing a digital strategy function from the ground up. While this is a strategic role, it also requires a willingness to engage in hands-on delivery of outputs – from overseeing platform management to directly supporting digital initiatives – while building long-term capacity and processes.

The Director will serve as the lead architect for the organization’s digital transformation, designing, developing, and optimizing a comprehensive digital ecosystem that advances fundraising, communications, and brand engagement. They will be responsible for ensuring that our digital presence, spanning platforms, infrastructure, content strategy, and stakeholder engagement, drives impact, reach, and revenue.

This role will oversee all external-facing digital real estate (websites, microsites, social media platforms, donation forms, CRM/web integrations) and act as the central strategist aligning digital activity across departments. The Director will function as a partner and service collaborator, working across the organization with teams such as Fundraising (including Mass Market Fundraising, Philanthropy and Planned Giving, Corporate Partnerships, etc.), Marketing & Communications, Programs, Advocacy, Events, and the Office of the CEO, as engaged, key internal clients.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Leadership

Develop and own the organization-wide digital strategy roadmap, aligning infrastructure, content, and engagement with fundraising, communications, and mission goals.
Establish and grow the digital strategy function, defining processes, workflows, and capacity for future growth.
Partner with senior leaders across fundraising, marketing, and program teams to identify overlaps, gaps, and opportunities for integration.
Champion digital innovation, data-driven decision-making, and a culture of digital experimentation.
Serve as the internal digital advisor and strategist, translating needs into actionable solutions.
Ensure digital strategy aligns with the global brand identity while supporting localization in priority markets.

Digital Infrastructure & Platforms

Oversee management, development, and optimization of digital platforms: CMS, donation platforms, CRM integrations, analytics, automation, and advocacy/action tools.
Lead hands-on delivery of platform improvements, vendor implementations, and cross-team digital projects where needed.
Establish and maintain digital governance frameworks (SEO, UX, accessibility, tagging, security, GDPR/privacy compliance).
Manage those vendor and technology partners that provide digital infrastructure and collaborate with other vendors as needed to facilitate delivery of campaigns and projects. Drive ongoing improvements in user experience and supporter journeys.

Collaboration with Fundraising Teams

Partner with all fundraising teams to ensure digital platforms, tools, and integrations meet their evolving needs in acquisition, cultivation, conversion, and stewardship.
Provide analytics, testing capabilities, and optimization strategies to maximize fundraising ROI.
Support the development of seamless digital donor experiences across diverse channels and audiences.
Specifically collaborate with MMFR leadership as their principal internal client, ensuring robust donor journeys and scalable digital fundraising infrastructure.

Cross-Team Coordination

Facilitate planning sessions across departments and functions (fundraising, advocacy, events, programs, executive leadership team) to ensure consistency of digital presence and brand alignment.
Coordinate digital initiatives that span multiple teams, ensuring timelines, deliverables, and resources are aligned.
Work closely with IT/Operations to ensure platforms and integrations meet evolving organizational needs.

Content & Engagement

Oversee non-fundraising digital content strategies (impact storytelling, advocacy campaigns, leadership communications, multimedia assets).
Ensure brand-aligned, consistent storytelling across websites, social media, and digital platforms.
Lead multi-channel engagement strategies (Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, X/Twitter) and explore influencer/partnership opportunities.
Experiment with emerging platforms and formats, including personalization and immersive storytelling.

Measurement & Optimization

Establish KPIs and dashboards for digital performance across fundraising and communications.
Produce quarterly and annual reporting for leadership, surfacing insights and opportunities.
Monitor industry trends and recommend innovative solutions for testing and scaling.
Track and coordinate cross-team digital spend (while some budgets may ultimately remain with diverse internal teams).

Requirements

Qualifications

8 - 10 years of progressive experience in digital strategy, fundraising, marketing, or integrated campaign management, preferably within large nonprofits, NGOs, or mission-driven organizations.
Proven success in building and leading organization-wide digital strategies that integrate fundraising, brand engagement, and communications.
Expertise with core digital platforms and tools: CMS (WordPress/Drupal), CRM (Salesforce, BBCRM, or similar), donation platforms, analytics, and marketing automation.
Strong understanding of digital fundraising ecosystems: donor journeys, payment processing, acquisition, and retention.
Excellent project management and cross-functional coordination skills.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into insights and action.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate across diverse stakeholders in a global/matrixed environment.
Exceptional communication, facilitation, and vendor management skills.
Strategic thinker who can see both the big picture and executional detail.
Collaborative and service-oriented, treating internal teams as clients.
Comfortable building a new function, balancing immediate delivery needs with long-term capacity building.
Comfortable navigating ambiguity, balancing competing priorities, and driving innovation.
Inspirational people leader, able to coach, grow, and manage a diverse digital team.

Compensation

Operation Smile is committed to pay transparency. The anticipated salary range for this position is $90,000 to $115,000 - which may vary slightly based on a candidate’s experience, qualifications, and geographic location.

Why Operation Smile?

Meaningful Work - At Operation Smile, you will engage in meaningful work that transforms lives, providing essential medical care to children and contributing to global health and well-being.

A Brighter Future - Make saving for the future easy with Operation Smile’s 401(k) plan, featuring Safe Harbor and employer matching. Cha-ching!

Happy and Healthy - Kick back and relax with Operation Smile's all-in-one health plans! We've got your health, pharmacy, dental, and vision needs covered for you and your loved ones. No worries, just smiles!

Worry-Free Insurance - Enjoy true peace of mind with 100% paid premiums for life and AD&D insurances. We've got you covered, no matter what!

Take Your Time (Off) - Flexible time off and celebrate with company-paid holidays! More time for fun and relaxation.

Work it, Flex it - Enjoy flexible work arrangements that fit your lifestyle, with remote, on-site, and hybrid work arrangements.

Travel Minus Stress - See the world through our unique employee programs, which offer opportunities to participate in international medical trips, community outreach, and global health initiatives.