Director Data Products

Academy Sports + Outdoors•Katy, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

At Academy Sports + Outdoors, our vision is to be the best sports + outdoors retailer in the country. We are a passionate, purpose-driven team committed to each other and our customers. We have over 80 years of experience building a culture that puts people first, creating opportunities for growth, fostering meaningful connections, and supporting every Team Member’s journey. We believe in the power of fun and offer a place where you can launch your own adventure while helping customers gear up for theirs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, Business Management, or a relevant field required
10+ years of experience in data analytics, data engineering, data products, or related areas, including at least 4 years leading cross-functional teams
Previous experience building, managing, and evolving enterprise data products throughout the full product lifecycle
Strong knowledge of modern data platforms and tools, including dbt, Looker, BigQuery, and cloud-based data environments
Proven ability to translate complex data challenges into practical business solutions and measurable results
Experience supporting AI and machine learning initiatives through scalable, high-quality data foundations
Strong understanding of data governance, data quality standards, metadata management, and data contracts
Experience leading Agile delivery processes, prioritization, and roadmap planning
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, including experience presenting to senior leadership
Retail industry experience preferred
Strong leadership skills with the ability to build, develop, and lead high-performing teams
Deep understanding of enterprise data products, data modeling, and modern cloud-based data ecosystems
Strong business acumen with the ability to connect data initiatives to operational and business outcomes
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple initiatives in a fast-paced environment
Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional partnership skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level presentations and discussions
Experience driving roadmap planning, product prioritization, and Agile delivery practices
Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with attention to detail and data quality
Ability to influence decision-making across technical and non-technical teams
Working knowledge of AI/ML data enablement, governance practices, and scalable data architecture principles
Regular in-office attendance required
Flexible work schedule to support business needs
Acceptable level of hearing and vision to perform job duties
Adhere to company work hours, policies, procedures, and rules governing professional staff behavior

Responsibilities

Lead the strategy, development, and lifecycle management of enterprise data products that support analytics, reporting, AI initiatives, and operational decision-making.
Partner with business leaders, Analytics, and Technology teams to translate business needs into scalable data products, dashboards, metrics, and data models.
Establish standards for data quality, governance, documentation, lineage, and service level expectations across the enterprise data ecosystem.
Build and manage the enterprise data product roadmap, including prioritization, Agile delivery, and ongoing enhancements.
Partner closely with Data Platform Engineering to support ingestion standards, validation processes, and pipeline reliability.
Communicate proactively with stakeholders regarding priorities, delivery timelines, product health, and upcoming changes.
Drive adoption and consistent use of enterprise data products across business teams by promoting usability, transparency, and trust in data.
Monitor and improve the overall health, reliability, and performance of enterprise data products and related processes.
Partner with cross-functional leaders to align data priorities with enterprise goals and evolving business needs.
Build, lead, and develop a high-performing team while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Support AI and machine learning initiatives through reliable, scalable, and business-ready data foundations.
Follow company policies and perform other duties as assigned.
Learn, follow and enforce company policies and safety procedures.
Adhere to company work hours, policies, procedures and rules governing professional staff behavior.
Responsibilities may change; team member may be asked to perform other duties as assigned.