Program Director – Engineering Excellence (Retail & AI Transformation)

Intellibus; Reston, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Intellibus is seeking a Program Director – Engineering Excellence to lead multi-workstream retail transformation programs that combine AI, data platforms, and modern engineering practices.

This is a delivery-first leadership role working directly with CIO/CTO/CDO/COO to drive end-to-end modernization across merchandising, supply chain, store systems, and customer experience, with a hands-on approach when needed.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of engineering or technology program leadership.
• Direct brick-and-mortar retail experience (grocery, big-box, or omnichannel).
• Strong background in data platforms, analytics, AI/automation in operations and cloud modernization.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end delivery of large retail modernization programs across multiple teams and vendors.
• Act as the primary executive partner to client CIO/CXO leadership.
• Lead engineering, data, and AI workstreams across store systems, merchandising, supply chain, fulfillment, and customer experience platforms.
• Translate business strategy into executable engineering roadmaps.
• Drive modernization of legacy platforms into cloud-native, data-driven systems.
• Govern delivery across budget, scope, timeline, and quality.
• Lead executive steering committees and transformation planning sessions.
• Ensure engineering standards, architecture discipline, and DevOps maturity.
• Identify and remove delivery blockers across organizations.
• Partner with internal architects and engineering leads to ensure technical excellence.
• Support pre-sales and growth by shaping solution strategy and delivery plans.

Job description

Program Director – Engineering Excellence (Retail & AI Transformation)

About Intellibus

Intellibus Consulting is a boutique engineering and AI transformation firm that builds Intelligent Business Platforms for enterprises undergoing large-scale digital modernization.

We are hands-on builders, not slide-only consultants. At Intellibus, everyone rolls up their sleeves, including leadership.

We are leading modernization initiatives for a large brick-and-mortar retail organization, covering: Customer-facing platforms, Store operations systems, Merchandising platforms, Supply chain & logistics systems & Data, AI, and automation platforms.

This role requires an engineering leader who understands real retail operations, not just digital products.

Job Description

We are seeking a Program Director – Engineering Excellence to lead complex, multi-workstream retail transformation programs using AI, data platforms, and modern engineering practices.

This is a delivery-first leadership role, not a pure PMO or governance position.

The ideal candidate has direct experience in traditional retail environments and has led technology modernization inside brick-and-mortar organizations, including merchandising, supply chain, store systems, and digital platforms.

You will work directly with C-level executives (CIO, CTO, CDO, COO) and own outcomes across business and engineering.

What We Are Specifically Looking For:

We are targeting leaders who have worked at or delivered programs for organizations such as: Large grocery, big-box, and omnichannel retailers (e.g., national or regional retail chains with physical stores and digital channels)

Experience must include: Merchandising systems, Supply chain and logistics platforms, Store operations technology, Omnichannel customer experience, Data platforms and analytics & AI/automation applied to retail operations.

Retail transformation is fundamentally different from FinTech or SaaS; this domain experience is critical.

Key Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end delivery of large retail modernization programs across multiple teams and vendors
• Act as the primary executive partner to client CIO/CXO leadership
• Lead engineering, data, and AI workstreams across: Store systems, Merchandising platforms, Supply chain & fulfillment & Customer experience platforms.
• Translate business strategy into executable engineering roadmaps
• Drive modernization of legacy platforms into cloud-native, data-driven systems
• Govern delivery across budget, scope, timeline, and quality
• Lead executive steering committees and transformation planning sessions
• Ensure engineering standards, architecture discipline, and DevOps maturity
• Identify and remove delivery blockers across organizations
• Partner with Internal architects and engineering leads to ensure technical excellence
• Support pre-sales and growth by shaping solution strategy and delivery plans

Required Experience:

• 15+ years of engineering or technology program leadership
• Direct brick-and-mortar retail experience (grocery, big-box, or omnichannel)
• Proven work in modernizing: Merchandising platforms, Supply chain systems, Store operations or POS platforms, Digital commerce platforms, & Experience working with CXO-level stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of: Data platforms and analytics, AI and automation in operations, Cloud modernization, Event-driven and microservices architectures.
• Consulting or systems integration background preferred
• Comfortable operating in high-ambiguity transformation programs
• Executive-level communication and stakeholder management
• Deep understanding of engineering delivery and system modernization
• Ability to bridge business, operations, and technology.
• Exceptional presentation skills (Google Slides / PowerPoint).
• Strong technical writing and structured documentation skills.
• Ability to lead in complex enterprise environments.
• Willingness to be hands-on when needed.

Our Process

• 15-minute introductory video call with a member of our team
• Proctored GQ assessment and Slideware exercise to evaluate problem-solving and presentation skills
• Leadership and Executive interviews (panel or individual sessions, as needed)
• Offer decision and onboarding