Director IT Infrastructure and Operations Job Listing at Academy Sports + Outdoors in Katy, TX (Job ID R311083)

Description

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

As the Director, IT Infrastructure & Operations, you'll be a hands-on and tactical leader responsible for the robust and reliable functioning of our core technology infrastructure across the organization. This pivotal role requires someone who can both set strategic direction and dive deep into the daily operations of our network, telecom, databases, service desk, end-user computing, and critical store operations technology. You'll ensure our systems are not just running, but performing optimally, supporting our rapid growth and diverse operational needs.

You'll lead by example, driving operational excellence, optimizing costs, and ensuring stringent compliance and business continuity. Your customer-first mindset will be key to delivering high-impact IT services that directly support our expansive retail footprint and corporate functions. Job Description:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a relevant technical field is preferred.

Work Experiences:

• 10+ years of progressive, hands-on experience in IT infrastructure, support services, or operations, with a strong emphasis on large-scale, distributed enterprise environments, preferably within retail or similar field-based operations. 
• 5+ years in a leadership or managerial role, demonstrating a proven ability to lead and directly manage large operational teams and complex vendor relationships. 
• Proven track record of supporting critical enterprise systems in a high-transaction volume environment, with direct involvement in daily operations. 
• Extensive hands-on experience with IT project delivery, change control, compliance (e.g., SOX), and lifecycle asset management. 
• Certifications in ITIL, Cisco, Microsoft, CompTIA, or cloud platforms (GCP, Azure) are a significant plus.

Skills:

• Deep Technical Proficiency: Expert-level understanding and practical experience with: 
• Enterprise network architecture and configuration
• Telecom solutions, including SD-WAN, VoIP, MPLS, and store connectivity. 
• End-user computing environments (Windows, MDM, SCCM, software distribution, device management).
• Virtualization, cloud platforms (Azure, GCP), and hybrid environments. 
• Database operations and administration. 
• Hands-On Operational Management: Proven ability to manage IT operations KPIs and SLAs, conduct telecom forecasting, invoice validation, and direct vendor contract oversight. 
• Problem Solving & Troubleshooting: Exceptional skills in rapid incident resolution and effective root cause analysis for complex infrastructure issues. 
• Leadership & Team Development: Strong ability to lead, mentor, and develop technical staff, fostering a culture of technical excellence and accountability. 
• Compliance & Risk Implementation: Direct experience in implementing and maintaining operational SOX compliance, including access control, patching, backups, and audit documentation. 
• Communication & Collaboration: Clear and concise communication skills, able to articulate technical issues and solutions to both technical teams and business stakeholders effectively. 

Responsibilities:

• Hands-On Operational Leadership: Directly oversee and ensure the seamless, day-to-day operation of all IT infrastructure components, including enterprise-wide network architecture, telecom solutions, database administration, end-user computing environments, and vital store technology. Lead troubleshooting efforts and provide technical guidance for complex operational issues. 
• Tactical Execution & Service Delivery: Drive the tactical execution of infrastructure initiatives, focusing on maintaining high availability, performance, and support for our retail stores, distribution centers, and corporate locations. Implement and refine ITIL-aligned processes for incident, problem, and change management,   ensuring rapid resolution and effective root cause analysis. 
• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of infrastructure professionals. Foster a culture of technical proficiency, continuous learning, and accountability, ensuring team members have the skills and resources to excel in their roles. 
• Financial & Vendor Oversight: Manage detailed infrastructure budgets and forecasts. Conduct hands-on analysis of operational expenditures to identify cost optimization opportunities, particularly within telecom. Oversee vendor performance, ensuring adherence to SLAs and effective contract management for all infrastructure services. 
• Compliance & Risk Management Implementation: Directly implement and enforce stringent compliance with SOX, PCI, and internal control frameworks across all infrastructure operations. Manage documentation, coordinate control testing, and actively lead remediation activities. Oversee the development, testing, and execution of robust disaster recovery and business continuity plans. 
• Technical Optimization & Improvement: Proactively identify and implement technical improvements to enhance system performance, reliability, and security. Work closely with technical teams to optimize existing infrastructure, drive efficiency, and ensure our technology stack meets evolving business demands. 
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with business stakeholders and other IT teams to understand operational needs and translate them into actionable infrastructure solutions. Provide practical insights into infrastructure costs, capacity, and performance to support immediate business requirements. 

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.

Full time Equal 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.​

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