Director, IT - Digital & Emerging Technology

Fortune Brands•Deerfield, IL

About The Position

We are looking for a Director – Digital & Emerging Technology, who will lead enterprise digital platforms across Web, eCommerce, and AI-driven experiences. This role will closely partner with stakeholders across Digital, Direct-To-Consumer, Marketing, Customer Experience, and Enterprise Systems to drive the next generation of scalable, composable, and intelligent digital ecosystems. The Director – Digital & Emerging Technology will play a critical leadership role in executing Fortune Brands Innovations’ digital and AI strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives while delivering modern, high-performing, and customer-centric platforms. You will lead a high-performing global team responsible for delivering enterprise-scale solutions across composable commerce, DXP platforms, headless CMS, and AI-enabled technologies.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, or a related field
Minimum of 12+ years of experience in web technologies, digital platforms, enterprise architecture, or emerging technologies, with 5+ years in leadership roles
Strong experience with Composable Commerce and Headless Architectures
Hands-on experience with: Commerce Platforms: Shopify (headless), Commerce tools, or similar
Hands-on experience with: DXP Platforms: Bloomreach, Sitecore, Adobe Experience Cloud
Hands-on experience with: CMS Platforms: Bloomreach CMS, Optimizely, Contentful, or other headless CMS solutions
Deep understanding of modern web technologies including React, Next.js, Node.js, and API-first design
Strong experience with cloud platforms, microservices architecture, and system integrations
Proven experience delivering enterprise-scale eCommerce solutions across B2B and B2C channels
Experience implementing AI/ML capabilities within digital platforms and across the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), including intelligent search, personalization, recommendation engines, and GenAI-driven use cases.
Proven ability to leverage AI across the SDLC, including AI-assisted design, development (code generation, automated testing, defect prediction, quality engineering), and deployment (release optimization, anomaly detection, and performance monitoring).
Experience building and scaling AI-powered digital experiences, including conversational interfaces, content generation, and adaptive customer journeys, with strong understanding of Model Context Protocols (MCP), prompt engineering, and LLM orchestration frameworks.
Familiarity with AI agent frameworks, multi-agent architectures, and responsible AI practices, including governance, security, and model evaluation.
Experience with CDNs (Akamai, Cloudflare), PIM/DAM systems, and API platforms
Solid understanding of UX/UI principles, design patterns, and scalable architecture practices
Strong knowledge of Agile methodologies (Scrum/Kanban) and product delivery models
Experience managing large budgets, vendor ecosystems, and global delivery teams
Strong communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills

Responsibilities

Define and execute the enterprise Web and Digital Platform strategy, aligned with business growth, customer engagement, and revenue objectives
Lead adoption and scaling of composable commerce architecture, including headless Shopify and API-first ecosystems
Drive implementation of Digital Experience Platforms (DXP) and headless CMS solutions such as Bloomreach, Optimizely, Sitecore, or similar platforms
Champion AI-driven innovation across digital channels, including personalization, search, recommendations, and content automation
Partner with business and technology leaders to translate digital strategy into measurable business outcomes and ROI
Lead end-to-end delivery of large-scale digital and eCommerce initiatives across B2B and B2C platforms
Establish best practices for scalable, secure, and high-performing web architecture, leveraging microservices and cloud-native technologies
Collaborate with cross-functional teams (CRM, PIM, OMS, Marketing, Analytics) to ensure seamless integration and data-driven experiences
Drive platform modernization and consolidation efforts, reducing technical debt and improving operational efficiency
Build and lead high-performing teams, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement
Provide leadership in Agile product delivery, DevOps, and POD-based operating models
Lead evaluation and adoption of emerging technologies, including GenAI, AI agents, and Ai based automation frameworks
Manage strategic vendor partnerships and ensure optimal delivery outcomes
Oversee budget planning, financial governance, and ensure effective utilization of resources to deliver business value