Director of IT - Retail AI Applications and DevOps

Addison Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 160,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k)

PTO

Job summary

Addison Group is seeking a Director of Information Technology to lead a modern retail tech stack with AI-driven workflows. This role focuses on strategy, cybersecurity, infrastructure and vendor management across multi-location operations and a lean internal team.

You will partner with executives to define IT strategy, drive adoption of generative AI, and deliver business outcomes through AI-enabled processes while overseeing ERP, e-commerce, POS and cloud environments.

Qualifications

• Retail technology experience is required.
• Leadership experience in a multi-location IT environment.
• Hands-on with generative AI tools and AI-enabled workflows.
• Strong cybersecurity, infrastructure and cloud foundation.
• Experience with Cisco Meraki and Microsoft Azure environments.
• Vendor management and negotiation experience.
• Exposure to NetSuite, Shopify, retail POS or similar platforms is desirable.
• Bachelor's Degree required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute IT and AI roadmap.
• Drive practical adoption of generative AI across business functions.
• Prototype and deploy AI-enabled workflows.
• Own cybersecurity, infrastructure, identity and networks.
• Oversee ERP, e-commerce, POS and other applications.
• Lead technology vendor negotiations and manage spend.
• Develop a lean, high-performing IT organization.
• Translate technical decisions into clear business outcomes.

Skills

Retail tech leadership

Multi-location IT leadership

AI tools & workflows

Cybersecurity/infrastructure/cloud

Vendor management

AI-enabled workflow shipping

Strong leadership style

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Cisco Meraki

Microsoft Azure

NetSuite

Shopify

Retail POS

Job description

Title: Director of Information Technology - Retail AI Applications and DevOps

Location: Chicago, IL (Onsite)

Salary Range: $160,000 – $190,000 / year + 10-15% Bonus

Benefits: This role is eligible for medical, dental, vision, 401(k) and PTO.

Must be authorized to working in the United States. This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

A growing omnichannel retailer is conducting a confidential search for a Director of Information Technology to lead its technology organization and help redefine how AI and technology are used across the business.

This is not a traditional IT Director position focused primarily on administration and keeping systems running.

We are looking for a builder, operator and business problem solver who can own the technology environment while working directly with business leaders to identify problems and rapidly deliver solutions.

The successful candidate will own IT strategy, AI adoption, cybersecurity, infrastructure, business applications, vendor relationships and a lean internal technology team supporting both corporate operations and a multi-location retail environment.

What You'll Own:

• Develop and execute the company's IT and AI roadmap
• Drive practical adoption of generative AI across business functions
• Personally identify, prototype and deploy AI-enabled workflows
• Own cybersecurity, infrastructure, identity and network operations
• Support technology across corporate and retail locations
• Oversee Microsoft/Azure, Google Workspace and Cisco Meraki environments
• Partner with business leaders on ERP, e-commerce, POS and other critical applications
• Lead technology vendor negotiations and rationalize technology spend
• Develop a lean, high-performing IT organization
• Translate technical decisions into clear business outcomes

What We're Looking For:

• Retail technology experience is required
• Progressive IT leadership experience within a multi-location environment
• Strong preference for candidates who have demonstrated meaningful career progression within an organization
• Hands-on experience using modern generative AI tools and shipping AI-enabled workflows
• Strong cybersecurity, infrastructure and cloud foundation
• Experience with Cisco Meraki and Microsoft/Azure environments
• Excellent technology vendor management and negotiation experience
• Exposure to NetSuite, Shopify, retail POS or similar platforms is highly desirable
• High-energy, highly communicative leadership style
• Bachelor's Degree required

This opportunity is particularly compelling for an accomplished IT Manager or Senior Manager who is ready to step into a Director role with broad ownership and direct access to executive leadership.

Candidates should be prepared to discuss an AI-enabled workflow they personally shipped as well as a technology vendor negotiation that produced a meaningful business outcome.

Addison Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Addison Group provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Addison Group complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request.