Director of Corporate IT at AKIRA/shopAKIRA.com

AKIRA Director of Corporate IT

In 2002, AKIRA opened the doors to its first women's clothing boutique in Chicago. Since then, the company has extended its reach to 35+ stores across the United States, as well as a thriving eCommerce business (shopAKIRA.com.) AKIRA is extremely well-poised for sustained growth as we continue to build a nationally recognized brand.

AKIRA’s culture has one very large, distinct difference from other high fashion competitors: Fanatical, Obsessive Attention to the consumer’s needs and desires. The core principle for all employees at AKIRA is to Act and Think Like an Owner, and this belief can be reflected across all areas of the company.

The Position

Director of Corporate IT

Location

Chicago, IL (On-site)

Overview:

The Director of Corporate IT will be responsible for overseeing IT infrastructure, security, and help desk operations across Akira’s corporate office in Chicago and warehouse facility in Bolingbrook. With a strong focus on project management, this leader will drive high-impact initiatives, ensuring that technology solutions align with business objectives and operate seamlessly. The Director will work on-site daily, with a presence required at either the Chicago corporate office or the Bolingbrook warehouse. This is not a remote/hybrid position.

Essential Functions:

Project Management Leadership:

• Lead complex IT projects with a hands-on approach, utilizing Agile, Kanban, and traditional methodologies to deliver results within set timelines and budgets.
• Act as the main project coordinator across corporate IT, defining priorities and managing projects from initiation to completion with a focus on optimizing resources.
• Regularly report progress, risks, and deliverables to executive leadership, maintaining a clear line of communication with all stakeholders.

Corporate and Warehouse Infrastructure Oversight:

• Manage corporate IT infrastructure and security for both the Chicago office and Bolingbrook warehouse, ensuring stability, security, and efficiency in all systems.
• Leverage expertise in Azure Services and AWS to oversee cloud infrastructure and ensure systems meet both business and operational needs.
• Implement and manage security measures to maintain data integrity and align with industry best practices.

Help Desk and Support Services Management:

• Oversee help desk operations, ensuring exceptional support for end-users and utilizing FreshService to streamline support workflows and maximize productivity.
• Set and monitor SLAs for the help desk, using data-driven insights to continuously improve response times and user satisfaction.

Vendor Management and Negotiation:

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with hardware and software vendors, negotiating favorable contracts that align with Akira’s corporate IT needs.
• Hold third-party vendors accountable to service agreements and standards, optimizing cost efficiency and service quality.

Location-Based Requirements and Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Act as the primary corporate IT leader for both the Chicago office and Bolingbrook warehouse, supporting day-to-day operations and ensuring technology alignment across both locations.
• Collaborate closely with the Director of Development and the Director of Store Technology Services to align IT initiatives and support corporate systems effectively.

Qualifications:

• Extensive project management experience with proven expertise in Agile, Kanban, and traditional project management methodologies.
• 5+ years in IT management roles, with a track record of managing corporate infrastructure, security, and help desk operations.
• Proficiency in Azure Services, AWS, and FreshService for optimizing corporate systems.
• Strong experience in vendor management and negotiation, with a history of achieving cost-effective, high-quality vendor partnerships.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and leadership skills, with a collaborative approach to managing cross-functional projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communicator

Diversity & Inclusion:

At AKIRA we believe that treating everyone in a first-class manner is essential to fostering an inclusive environment that reflects our values and our community. This is deeply rooted in our company's principles, culture, and fashion. We continuously strive to cultivate a company where employees feel a sense of belonging and contribute to a culture that values differences, ideas, and experiences. Our unique workforce is directly linked to our success and makes us stronger collectively.

Benefits and Perks:

AKIRA offers competitive benefits for full time employees, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Pet, Life, LTD, FSA/HSA/Dependent Care FSA, Flex Transit (CTA), 401(k), and employee discount. We are committed to encouraging internal development and providing significant career enrichment opportunities. Most importantly, what has propelled AKIRA’s growth and success over the years has been the dynamic culture within the company - if you’re filled with passion, have a strong desire to get things done, and if you want to go to a place where you know your work matters and where you can implement your ideas and decisions, then AKIRA just might be the place for you.

Job Type: Full Time