Director People Operations Jobs in Ridgefield, CT

We are Tennis! The USTA (United States Tennis Association) is the national governing body for the sport of tennis and the leader in promoting and developing the sport's growth on every level in the United States, from local communities to the crown jewel of the professional game, the US Open.

Why Work for the USTA?

We are a passionate team of staff and volunteers focused on growing the sport of tennis and making it accessible to all. We are committed to removing barriers and creating opportunities for ALL to participate. Don't know tennis? Don't worry, you can still find yourself in the game!

The Role

The Director of Digital Engagement serves as the strategic, operational center, and performance owner. As the USTA shifts to a data-driven 2026 operating model, this role is responsible for the rigorous execution and optimization of multi-channel journeys that serve the entire tennis ecosystem, including players, coaches, providers, and volunteers. This position requires a dual focus on strategic planning and hands-on execution. You will translate high-level objectives into structured, scalable digital programs. The Director leads the orchestration of communication across the Enterprise CRM, web, and automation platforms, ensuring precise audience targeting and channel alignment. Furthermore, this role is accountable for comprehensive performance analysis, synthesizing data into evidence-based narratives that demonstrate business value to stakeholders.

Strategic Leadership & Talent Management 

• Team Mentorship: Lead, mentor, and strategically develop a high-performing team of digital specialists, establishing clear performance expectations and fostering a culture of continuous professional growth and accountability.
• Cross-Functional Orchestration: Serve as the definitive lead in aligning execution across cross-functional partners (e.g., Enterprise CRM, Engineering, Marketing) to ensure cohesive and unified audience engagement.

Financial Stewardship & Governance 

• Budget Ownership: Rigorously manage project budgets as assigned, driving financial planning, forecasting, and resource allocation to maximize efficiency and digital growth.
• ROI Accountability: Establish definitive metrics for Return on Investment (ROI) and Cost Per Acquisition (CPA) for all major digital initiatives, utilizing performance data to inform strategic optimization.
• Operational Governance: Establish world-class governance standards for the digital intake process, prioritizing requests, managing timelines, and ensuring efficient activation across the organization.

Digital Strategy & Ecosystem Command

• Lifecycle Architecture: Define and govern complex lifecycle journeys (acquisition, retention, win-back), directing the operational workflows that guide users through the USTA ecosystem.
• Channel Orchestrations: Direct digital distribution, defining the optimal channel mix (Email, SMS, Web, Push Notifications) to achieve high-level business goals.
• Ecosystem Strategy: Oversee the strategic integration and long-term roadmap for the Enterprise CRM and marketing automation stack, including the application of Large Language Models (LLMs) and agentic workflows to automate personalization and drive operational scale.

Performance & Optimization Accountability

• Executive Narrative: Direct the synthesis of complex performance metrics into clear, strategic presentations, ensuring all reporting provides actionable insights to business leads.
• Testing Framework: Own and enforce a disciplined testing framework for digital engagement, utilizing data to validate decisions and drive scalable optimization efforts.
• Search Authority: Govern strategies for Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and search protocols to maintain USTA's authority and discoverability in the evolving digital landscape.

Who You Are

• Education: A bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, Technology, or a related field is required. A Master's degree (e.g., MBA or relevant analytical/management certification) is strongly preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 8+ years of progressive experience in digital engagement, CRM management, or digital operations, including a proven track record of direct people management and budget oversight for multi-million dollar initiatives. 
• Financial Acumen: Proven ability to manage substantial project budgets, conduct financial forecasting, and use performance data (ROI/CPA) to optimize marketing and technology spend. 
• AI and Automation Expertise: Demonstrated strategic knowledge of Large Language Models (LLMs), agentic workflows, and their application to personalization and operational scale.
• Technical Acumen: Extensive experience with Enterprise CRM (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics) and Marketing Automation platforms. Deep understanding of stack capabilities, vendor management, and the modern search landscape (GEO).
• Communication Skills: Exceptional ability to synthesize complex data into a strategic narrative and proven high proficiency in creating C-suite-level presentation materials.
• Operational Rigor: Demonstrated ability to establish governance, prioritize complex workstreams, and drive large-scale, cross-functional projects to completion.

What We Offer

At the USTA, we know people are our most important asset. For this reason, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to meet the needs of a diverse workforce!

• Flexibility: Our Hybrid with Flexibility approach combines a balance of remote working with in-office collaboration to spark teamwork and creativity.
• Comprehensive benefits designed to meet your unique needs: Medical, dental, vision, access to doctors virtually, a flexible spending account to manage your health and dependent care expenses, and life and disability insurance are a small part of our offerings.
• Time to recharge and energize: Generous paid time off policy - including vacation, sick, personal, and paid holidays, parental leave, and a paid winter recess.
• Plan for your future financially and professionally: 401(k) with employer matching (up to 6.5%), promotional and growth opportunities, Learning and Development programs to learn on the job, and up to $7,000 for tuition reimbursement.
• Mental and emotional wellness: Resources for overall well-being, including mental health and meditation benefits.
• Other cool perks: A personalized health management program, pet insurance, commuter benefits, identity theft protection, discounts with our network of partners, and fun events are just a few of the optional benefits available.

The expected range for the annual base salary for this position is $160,000-185,000.00. This role is eligible for an Incentive Compensation Plan (ICP) bonus. This range does not include any additional pay or benefits for which a person may qualify. The actual base salary offered is determined by several variables, including, as appropriate, the applicant's qualifications for the position, the years of relevant experience, their unique skills, and the location from which they will be performing the job.

Come One, Come All

We strongly encourage you to apply if you're interested; we'd love to learn how you can "serve" our team with your unique experience!

USTA is dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities for all individuals, regardless of age, disability, national origin, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, family status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.