Manager Core Technologies Strategy and Operations Job Listing at Academy Sports + Outdoors in Katy, TX (Job ID R322690)

Description

Who We Are

At Academy Sports + Outdoors our vision is to be the best sports + outdoors retailer in the country — but what truly sets us apart is our people. We're a passionate, purpose-driven team that's as committed to each other as we are to our customers.

We've spent over 80 years building a culture that puts people first. We believe in creating opportunities for growth, fostering meaningful connections, and supporting every Team Member's journey. What fuels us? Our belief in the power of fun.

Here, you won't just help customers gear up for their next adventure — you'll launch one of your own. Whether you're starting out or leveling up, Academy is a place where fun can't lose!  

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in information technology, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.

Work Experiences:  

• 5–7 years of progressive experience in IT with a strong focus on infrastructure, operations, transformation, finance, service management, or business analysis. 
• Demonstrated experience supporting or leading enterprise Change Management programs, including change governance, risk assessment, approval workflows, and process standardization. 
• Proven experience with infrastructure budgeting, vendor management, and compliance activities. 
• Familiarity with agile delivery practices or structured project management frameworks (PMP, Agile, ITIL, or equivalent) is a plus. 

Skills:

• Exceptional analytical and financial modeling skills with the ability to dissect complex data and present clear, actionable insights. 
• Proficiency with dashboard and reporting tools such as Power BI, with the ability to translate operational and financial data into meaningful business intelligence that supports executive decision-making. 
• Strong working knowledge of IT Change Management frameworks, including change governance, risk classification, impact analysis, approvals, and post-implementation review. 
• Deep understanding of IT infrastructure operations and operational best practices. 
• Familiarity with budgeting, cost transparency, and optimization strategies. 
• Executive-level written and verbal communication skills, capable of articulating complex technical, operational, and financial information to diverse audiences. 
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally, influencing and collaborating effectively with both technical and non-technical teams. 
• Demonstrated strategic thinking, problem-solving, and root cause analysis capabilities. 
• A strong process orientation and a commitment to continuous improvement and transformation excellence. 

Responsibilities:

• Strategic Planning & Roadmap Leadership: Serve as a strategic partner within the infrastructure organization, supporting roadmap definition and delivery of initiatives aligned with broader business and transformation goals. Collaborate closely with platform, operations, and PMO teams to ensure alignment of priorities, risk posture, and outcomes. 
• Change Management Governance & Execution: Lead and mature enterprise IT Change Management practices, ensuring changes to infrastructure and services are well-governed, risk-assessed, documented, and aligned with business objectives. Establish clear policies, workflows, and performance metrics to improve change success rates, reduce incidents, and enable predictable delivery. 
• Financial Analysis & Cost Optimization: Lead comprehensive financial analysis of IT infrastructure expenses, including telecom forecasting, invoice review, and usage tracking, to identify opportunities for cost efficiency. Enhance financial visibility and data-driven investment decisions through improved reporting and governance. 
• Business Analysis & Performance Insights: Develop and maintain robust operational and Change Management dashboards that provide actionable insights into infrastructure stability, change volume, success rates, and financial performance. Translate operational metrics into clear, executive-level insights that inform strategic and performance management discussions. 
• Compliance & Risk Management: Partner with compliance and audit teams to ensure infrastructure and Change Management processes adhere to SOX and regulatory standards. Maintain rigorous documentation for controls, change records, approvals, and backups to support audit readiness and operational governance. 
• Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration: Work across Core Technologies, Operations, PMO, and Vendor Management teams to drive execution of transformation and operational priorities. Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across IT service domains. 
• Transformation and Project Management Support: Actively contribute to enterprise transformation programs, including Change Management maturity initiatives and process modernization efforts. Provide structured support for project execution, SLA tracking, and vendor performance management, helping to establish scalable, data-driven operations that underpin the company's growth. 

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
• Regular in-office attendance is required

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.​