VP IT Cyber Security

Academy Sports + Outdoors; Katy (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Academy Sports + Outdoors seeks a senior IT leader to drive cybersecurity strategy and enterprise security across stores, distribution centers, and digital channels. You’ll connect cyber decisions to business goals, lead cross-functional teams, and steer risk management and regulatory readiness in a fast-paced retail environment.

You will oversee incident response, governance, budgeting, and the Security Operations Center, while mentoring a leadership team and partnering with executive

Qualifications

• When a bachelor’s degree is required, a related field is acceptable.
• Advanced degree is preferred for leadership roles.
• 15+ years of progressive cybersecurity leadership.
• 7+ years leading enterprise security organizations.
• Previous service as a VP Cybersecurity, CISO, or equivalent.
• Experience in large retailer or consumer-facing enterprise.
• Ability to partner with executive leaders and cross-functional teams.
• Retail or large consumer-focused background preferred.
• Certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or CISA preferred.
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity, IT controls, and governance.
• Executive presence with the ability to influence senior leaders.
• Ability to link security decisions to business outcomes.
• Strategic and practical decision-making balancing protection and performance.
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Team-first attitude and flexibility to support needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead cyber risk management and enterprise security strategy.
• Develop multi-year information security plans and governance.
• Prioritize investments based on business impact and risk.
• Lead incident response, cyber defense, and SOC capabilities.
• Oversee regulatory readiness and security compliance.
• Manage security budgets and operating plans.
• Collaborate with executives and business leaders to embed security.
• Build leadership talent and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Cybersecurity leadership

Executive presence

Strategic decision-making

Budgeting and forecasting

Leadership communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Team development

Threat detection

Governance & policy

Business acumen

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Information Security / CS / IT

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

CISSP

CISM

CISA

Job 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!

What You Will Work On

In this role, you protect the systems, data, and digital capabilities that keep Academy Sports + Outdoors operating and growing. Your leadership helps ensure the technology supporting stores, distribution centers, corporate teams, and digital channels is secure, reliable, and resilient. By connecting cybersecurity decisions to business strategy and enterprise risk, you help the company pursue innovation while maintaining strong protection and operational continuity.

Working across the enterprise, you develop and execute multi-year cybersecurity and information security strategies, establish practical policies and governance, and prioritize investments based on business impact and risk. You lead cyber risk management, regulatory readiness, security compliance, identity security, threat detection, vulnerability management, threat intelligence, cyber defense, and Security Operations Center capabilities. You also maintain and test incident response, ransomware response, crisis management, disaster recovery, and business continuity programs, lead executive response during significant incidents, manage security budgets and operating plans, evaluate security technologies, and build a leadership team focused on execution and continuous improvement.

Who You Will Work With

As a senior IT leader and peer to other IT Vice Presidents, you partner closely with Technology and business leaders to embed security into how work gets done without slowing the business down. You lead the cybersecurity organization through the Director, IT Security and Compliance, setting direction, priorities, expectations, and accountability while developing leadership talent and organizational readiness.

You collaborate with Internal Audit, Legal, Compliance, Privacy, Enterprise Risk Management, Digital, Infrastructure and Operations, Enterprise Architecture, Applications, and EPMO leaders. You also serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, the Audit Committee, and the Board, presenting cyber risk posture, metrics, trends, regulatory matters, resilience priorities, emerging threats, and investment decisions in clear business terms.

What You Bring

Bring your energy, your ideas, and your love for sports and the outdoors.

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Security, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field required
• Advanced degree preferred
• 15+ years of progressive cybersecurity leadership
• 7+ years leading enterprise security organizations
• Prior service as a VP Cybersecurity, CISO, or in an equivalent executive role
• Background supporting a large retailer, consumer-facing company, or similarly complex enterprise
• Proven ability to partner with executive leaders and cross-functional teams
• Retail or large consumer-focused business background strongly preferred
• Professional certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or CISA strongly preferred
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity, IT controls, and governance
• Executive presence with the ability to influence senior leaders
• Ability to connect security decisions to business outcomes
• Strategic and practical decision-making that balances protection and performance
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills
• A team-first attitude; while your core duties are your priority, you're happy to step in wherever you're needed

Work Style & Physical Requirements

• Ability to work flexible hours as needed to support critical business or security events
• Regular in-office attendance is required
• Acceptable level of hearing and vision to perform job duties
• Ability to adhere to company policies and professional standards

Key Skills

Security Policy Development, Security Operations Management, Business Continuity Crisis Management, Identity Systems, Budgeting and Forecasting, Executive Level Presentations, Strategy and Execution

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.