Vice President of Information Technology

 

SUMMARY 

At Magnolia, the Vice President of Information Technology leads the overall technology strategy and execution. This role is responsible for overseeing the broader technology landscape, driving high-impact transitions, and positioning Magnolia for long-term digital growth. The Vice President of IT will work closely with senior leadership to build the foundational data platforms, deliver a best-in-class e-commerce platform, integrate systems across the entire business portfolio for a seamless guest and employee experience, balance strategic planning and prioritization with day-to-day technical operations and align technology initiatives and execution with the company’s business objectives. This role will also set the company’s roadmap for AI integration, ensuring the right blend of quick-win operational efficiencies and transformational ways of working is found using AI. This position works from Magnolia Headquarters in Waco, Texas. It reports to the Chief Operating Officer and has supervisory responsibilities. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Develop and implement a comprehensive IT strategy aligned with Magnolia’s business goals* 
• Lead the organization’s transition to advanced digital platforms and technologies, ensuring scalability and sustainability 
• Collaborate with senior leadership to identify opportunities for leveraging technology to achieve competitive advantages 
• Create the best-in-class foundational practices for the organization inclusive of data, cross-functional business integration and enterprise processes 
• Oversee the development and enhancement of Magnolia’s transformational initiatives, including the e-commerce platform and the warehouse platform, to ensure a seamless, customer-centric digital experience* 
• Partner closely with external vendors and internal business teams to ensure smooth integration and implementation of new technologies 
• Drive innovation in e-commerce technologies to support business growth and customer engagement* 
• Drive the AI integration strategy and implementation roadmap for the company 
• Monitor and analyze e-commerce performance metrics, implementing improvements as needed 
• Ensure the stability, security, and efficiency of IT systems, infrastructure, and applications 
• Oversee day-to-day technical operations, troubleshooting, and support* 
• Manage IT budgets, vendor relationships, and technology procurement to ensure cost-effectiveness 
• Build and mentor a high-performing IT team, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and collaboration* 
• Provide guidance and professional development opportunities to team members to support their growth and performance. 
• Establish and enforce IT governance frameworks, policies, and best practices 
• Ensure compliance with relevant data protection regulations and implement robust cybersecurity measures 
• Lead organization-wide technology transitions with minimal disruption, engaging stakeholders across all levels. Operate in an agile and effective way, helping to move the organization forward with the appropriate awareness of investment prioritization and business trade-offs, while still driving revenue. 
• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment and buy-in during change initiatives 
• Perform other duties as assigned 

*Metrics evaluated on Performance Review 

COMPETENCIES 

• Teamwork: Foster a team environment supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Build strategic plans ensuring key stakeholders are aligned and engaged. Hold management team accountable to building and leading a team that exemplifies Magnolia cultural and operating values. Ensure a strengths-based management model is being used and plan for individual and team development ensuring future talent is being developed. 
• Critical Thinking: Partner to build and ensure adherence to financial plans, metrics, budgets, and resource allocations to support short-term and long-term strategic goals and expectations. 
• Expertise: Maintain a thorough understanding of your area(s) and set the expectation of accurate and timely work. Foster directors' abilities to lead and connect their employees with the resources and training needed. Lead by example. 
• Communication: Create a culture of open communication. Encourage team members to share ideas, thoughts, and concerns. Utilize excellent written and verbal communication skills to communicate complex concepts clearly and persuasively. Effectively communicate strategic plans and represent the organization externally. Deliver compelling presentations to convey important and key messages concisely. 
• Guest Focus: In all strategic and operating plans ensure a personalized and guest-centric experience is a top priority. Set the standard for this through exemplary leadership. 
• Strategy and Goal Setting: Approach change with positivity and curiosity, leading through ambiguity. Hold team accountable to communicating and achieving goals. Using a forward-thinking mindset, establish a clear vision for the organization and translate into actionable plans. Display a deep understanding of organization structure and consider impact of decisions on all departments. 
• Hard skills: Proven experience in retail-focused e-commerce, with a demonstrated ability to lead large-scale, cross-functional platform transitions and implementations. Leadership experience overseeing IT teams and implementing IT governance and procurement controls for fast-growing companies. Knowledge of best practices in data governance and security, AI strategy creation and implementation, ensuring that all technology systems are compliant and secure. 

ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor's degree from a 4-year college or university preferred 
• 7+ years of related work experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience preferred 
• 10+ years of managerial experience preferred 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and arms to reach, handle, feel; utilize fine motor dexterity of fingers; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee is frequently required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.   

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS  

Magnolia is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances. 

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this classification. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees assigned to this job. Management has the right to add to, revise, or delete information in this description at any time.