VP IT Infrastructure and Operations

Come work at a place where we take pride in creating a workplace environment that values hard work, commitment, and growth.

Reporting directly to the CIO, this is a key leadership role within the organization which is responsible for all keep-the-lights-on operations including all IT infrastructure, operations, stores, and level 1&2 support of all non-eCommerce business applications. This leader will always challenge the status quo, live by, and instill in the team values of always executing with excellence and responsible leadership by being a good student of the business. They develop and lead a high-performing team responsible for modernizing while optimizing IT infrastructure and operations for flexibility, scale, and reliability. They will be responsible for all operations, design and engineering, capacity planning, service provisioning, disaster recovery, patch management, and vendor management.

Job Description:

Education:

• 4-year university degree required, MBA and/or graduate degree in related field preferred

Work Experiences:

• Minimum 12 years of experience in managing IT Infrastructure and Operations required, preferably in a fast-paced business environment.
• Retail experience strongly preferred.
• Experience in running a managed services environment is strongly preferred.
• Experience managing support of business applications a plus.
• Proven experience in a senior leadership role managing large-scale IT infrastructure and operations in a retail environment.
• Deep understanding of retail business processes and the critical role of technology in supporting them.
• Extensive knowledge of IT infrastructure components, including networking, servers, storage, cloud computing, and security systems.
• Strong understanding of retail-specific technologies such as POS systems, e-commerce platforms, and supply chain management systems.

Skills:

• Ability to analyze and synthesize information concisely and make recommendations on strategies to resolve issues.
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written).
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong project management, leadership, and negotiation skills needed.
• Strong skills in conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Results orientation with strong analytical and interpersonal skills.
• Creative problem solver who thrives when presented with a challenge required.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Planning:

• Develops and executes the overall IT infrastructure and operations strategy in alignment with the company's business goals and growth plans.
• Develops and executes the vision, strategy, and roadmap for all distributed and centralized IT infrastructure services, including Data Centers, Cloud, Networks, Disaster Recovery, Business Continuity Planning, Desktop, Help Desk(s), Internet (infrastructure and hosting), Voice, Video, and all mobile technologies.
• Owns and manages the level 1 and level 2 support functions for all non-eCommerce business applications including merchandising, logistics, distribution centers, data warehouse, finance, HR, stores, etc.
• Owns and manages the relationship with third-party managed services providers to ensure the highest level of services to business partners.
• Focuses on building and mentoring a high-caliber team who strives to execute with excellence.
• Works with Cybersecurity to strengthen Academy’s overall cyber-risk posture through technological investments, patch management and process improvements.
• Prepares and manages budget and operating plan for areas of responsibility.
• Maintains strong partnerships inside and outside the company to bring best-in-class capabilities, technologies, and ideas to our business.
• Maintains a thorough knowledge of current Infrastructure features and trends and serves as the company expert in this space.
• Contributes to the overall business strategy as part of the leadership team and is seen as the subject matter expert on technology.
• Drives major projects to completion within budgeted timeframes and cost; operates openly and transparently with key stakeholders.
• Works with business and other stakeholders to build understanding, consensus, and alignment to ensure their infrastructure needs are being met and priorities are set at the appropriate levels.

• Manages ITSM processes including Incident, Request, Problem, and Change processes efficiently and effectively.

• Anticipates future infrastructure needs based on business expansion, new retail initiatives, and technological advancements.
• Evaluates and recommends new technologies and solutions to enhance operational efficiency, security, and scalability within a retail context.
• Contributes to the overall IT budget planning and management, ensuring cost-effectiveness and maximizing return on investment for infrastructure and operations.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Infrastructure Management:

• Oversees the design, implementation, and maintenance of the retail IT infrastructure, including network systems (LAN, WAN, Wi-Fi in stores), server infrastructure (on-premise and cloud), data centers, telephony systems, and point-of-sale (POS) systems.
• Ensures the stability, security, and performance of all IT systems critical to retail operations, minimizing downtime and ensuring business continuity.
• Oversees the lifecycle management of all IT infrastructure assets.

Operational Excellence:

• Establishes and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the performance and efficiency of IT infrastructure and operations, with a focus on retail-specific metrics (e.g., POS uptime, transaction processing speed).
• Develops and implements service level agreements (SLAs) for critical IT services supporting retail operations.
• Manages incident response, problem management, and change management processes to ensure minimal disruption to retail activities.
• Implements and maintains robust monitoring and alerting systems to proactively identify and resolve potential infrastructure issues.
• Creates standards for proper use of company systems and tools supported by documented processes and training.

Security and Compliance:

• Develops and implements disaster recovery and business continuity plans to minimize the impact of disruptions on retail operations.
• Oversees security audits and vulnerability assessments of retail IT systems.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Builds, leads, and mentors a high-performing team of IT professionals responsible for infrastructure, operations, and support.
• Fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement within the team.
• Provides ongoing coaching, mentoring, and training within the department to ensure team member performance meets organizational, department and leader expectations.
• Sets and communicates clear goals, expectations, and performance metrics for team members.
• Identifies training and development needs to ensure the team has the skills necessary to support the evolving needs of the retail business.

Vendor Management:

• Manages relationships with external vendors and service providers for IT infrastructure and operations, ensuring cost-effective and high-quality services.
• Negotiates contracts and service agreements with vendors.
• Monitors vendor performance against agreed-upon SLAs.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Collaborates effectively with other IT leaders and business stakeholders across different departments within the retail organization (e.g., Merchandising, Marketing, Finance, Store Operations).
• Communicates clearly and effectively with executive leadership on IT infrastructure and operations matters, providing regular updates and reports.

Physical Requirements & Attendance

• Acceptable level of hearing and vision to perform job duties
• Adhere to company work hours, policies, procedures, and rules governing professional staff behavior.
• Ability to work flexible hours as needed, including, but not limited to nights, weekends, and holidays.

Full timeEqual Employment Opportunity

Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate with regard to employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by law.​