VP, IT Strategy and Architecture

The VP IT Strategy & Architecture - Retail is a visionary technology executive responsible for shaping the long-term technology direction of Retail Technology while ensuring the implementation of day-to-day architectural decisions in support of that long-term strategy delivery.

This leader will define and ensure the execution of a Retail Technology strategy and supporting architecture that both enables the delivery of the Retail business objectives, while also advancing the Enterprise technology strategy.

As a direct report to the Retail CIO and matrix report to the Enterprise IT Strategy & Innovation SVP this role influences the entire retail technology landscape and plays a critical part in enabling business growth through modern, scalable, and forward-thinking solutions.

How You Will Contribute:

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive, multi-year IT strategy that is tightly aligned with the company’s business vision, priorities, and growth objectives.
• Ensuring technology strategy directly enables business outcomes, operational excellence, and competitive differentiation.
• Lead the enterprise innovation agenda, with a strong focus on AI, automation, data driven capabilities, and next generation digital experiences.
• Balance long term strategic planning with agile, iterative incubation efforts that accelerate value creation.

Enterprise Architecture & Technology Governance

• Oversee the Enterprise Architecture function, ensuring cohesive architectural standards, frameworks, and policies across the organization.
• Establish and maintain architectural guidelines that promote interoperability, scalability, security, and modernization.
• Partner with technology and business leaders to ensure architectural decisions support business outcomes and future state capabilities.
• Own the long-term technology estate Total Cost of Ownership.

Innovation, Incubation & Emerging Technology

• Identify, evaluate, and incubate emerging technologies, especially in AI, data platforms, and integration ecosystems-to drive competitive advantage. Eg Tech Radar.
• Foster a culture of experimentation, continuous learning, and responsible innovation.

People Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a diverse team of technologists, architects, and engineers across retail
• Build organizational capability in architecture and modern technology practices.
• Champion career development, technical excellence, and a culture of collaboration and empowerment.

Executive Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as a brilliant communicator who can translate complex technology concepts into clear, compelling narratives for all audiences-from engineers to executives.
• Partner closely with business leaders to co-create technology enabled strategies that drive growth, efficiency, and transformation.
• Represent IT Strategy & Innovation in executive forums, steering committees, and cross functional initiatives.

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in technology strategy, enterprise architecture, innovation, or related domains.
• Evidence of having delivered technology strategy at scale (10,000 people plus)
• Track record of having implemented AI driven product engineering practices at scale (e.g. spec driven development)
• Lead teams of 20+ architects.
• Financial management of $100m + technology 3rd party spend.
• 5+ Financial Services / Insurance experience while not essential is preferred.
• 5+ FinTech / Start-up / private Equity experience preferable.
• 5+ years Consulting experience is preferable.

We go beyond standard benefits, focusing on the total well-being of our teammates, including:

• Health Benefits: Medical/Rx, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Disability Insurance
• Financial Benefits: ESPP; 401k; Student Loan Assistance; Tuition Reimbursement
• Mental Health & Wellness: Free Mental Health & Enhanced Advocacy Services
• Beyond Benefits: Paid Time Off, Holidays, Preferred Partner Discounts and more.