Vice President of Information Technology - Restaurants

Leap Brands; Wayne (NJ); On-site; USD 260,000 - 380,000; Full time

Job summary

Leap Brands seeks a visionary Vice President of Information Technology to architect and lead the technology backbone for a fast-growing restaurant brand. You will own strategic direction, enterprise infrastructure, cloud architecture, AI, and digital transformation, while delivering hands-on execution.

This leader partners with Operations, Marketing, Finance, HR, and Development to create scalable tech that elevates guest experience and business performance.

Qualifications

• 10+ years IT leadership in multi-unit operations.
• 5+ years leading enterprise technology organizations.
• Experience in restaurant/retail/hospitality preferred.
• Strong strategic and executive communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead restaurant technology across corporate and field ops.
• Oversee POS, payments, online ordering, loyalty, and apps.
• Drive enterprise reporting and BI capabilities.
• Develop AI roadmap and drive digital transformation.
• Ensure cybersecurity, data privacy, and PCI compliance.

Skills

IT leadership

Cloud infrastructure

Cybersecurity

AI & automation

Digital transformation

Budget management

Vendor management

Executive communication

Team building

Strategic planning

Tools

Azure

AWS

Microsoft 365

ERP systems

BI tools

Job description

Technology is no longer a support function. It's a competitive advantage.

We're looking for a Vice President of Information Technology who can build the technology infrastructure behind one of the fastest-growing restaurant brands in the industry. This leader will oversee everything from restaurant technology and cybersecurity to enterprise infrastructure, cloud architecture, AI, and digital transformation.

This is a hands‑on executive role for someone who understands both strategy and execution. You'll partner closely with Operations, Marketing, Finance, HR, and Development to create scalable technology solutions that improve the guest experience and drive business performance.

If you've successfully led IT within a multi‑unit restaurant, retail, hospitality, or franchise organization, we'd love to talk.

What You’ll Own

• Develop and execute the company's overall IT strategy.
• Lead all restaurant technology, enterprise systems, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Build scalable technology platforms to support rapid unit growth.
• Partner with Operations to improve restaurant technology, POS, kitchen systems, handheld devices, networking, and guest‑facing technology.
• Lead enterprise applications including ERP, HRIS, payroll, CRM, labor management, inventory, and reporting platforms.
• Develop and execute the company's AI roadmap, identifying opportunities to automate processes, improve decision‑making, and increase productivity across the organization.
• Oversee cloud infrastructure, networking, telecommunications, and data architecture.
• Ensure business continuity, disaster recovery, and cybersecurity best practices.
• Manage third‑party technology vendors and strategic partnerships.
• Build and develop a high‑performing internal IT organization.
• Develop and manage annual IT budgets and capital investments.
• Create technology roadmaps supporting new restaurant openings, acquisitions, and remodels.
• Establish IT governance, policies, and security standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead all restaurant technology initiatives across corporate and field operations.
• Oversee POS platforms, payment processing, online ordering, loyalty, kiosks, digital menu boards, and mobile applications.
• Drive enterprise reporting and business intelligence capabilities.
• Improve network performance and reliability across all restaurant locations.
• Ensure PCI compliance, data privacy, and cybersecurity standards.
• Develop AI‑driven solutions for recruiting, customer engagement, forecasting, scheduling, inventory management, and corporate productivity.
• Partner with executive leadership on long‑term technology investments.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend strategic solutions.
• Support M&A integration and technology due diligence.
• Build scalable processes that allow the business to grow efficiently.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive IT leadership experience.
• 5+ years leading enterprise technology organizations.
• Multi‑unit restaurant, retail, hospitality, franchise, or consumer‑facing business experience strongly preferred.
• Deep knowledge of cloud infrastructure, networking, cybersecurity, enterprise applications, and restaurant technology.
• Experience leading digital transformation initiatives.
• Strong understanding of AI technologies and enterprise automation.
• Experience managing large technology budgets.
• Excellent communication and executive leadership skills.
• Proven ability to build and develop high‑performing teams.

Preferred Experience

Experience with:

• Restaurant POS platforms
• Restaurant inventory and labor systems
• Loyalty and CRM platforms
• Online ordering and delivery integrations
• Microsoft Azure or AWS
• Microsoft 365
• Cybersecurity frameworks
• AI platforms and enterprise automation
• Business Intelligence tools
• Data warehouse architecture
• Multi‑unit franchise systems