Fleet Feet

Our Company

We believe Running Changes Everything. If you believe that, too, we want to talk. With more than 280 stores and a robust e-commerce site, Fleet Feet is the largest running retailer in the country. Catering to more than runners, we pride ourselves on having an inclusive environment! We believe it’s a privilege to serve and to deliver unmatched service and support when outfitting every customer. We run together to solve problems, reach goals, encourage others and champion our brand.

Overview

Fleet Feet is seeking a seasoned, strategic, and execution-driven Director of Enterprise Applications to lead the planning, implementation, and lifecycle management of business-critical applications across the organization. This role is pivotal in aligning technology solutions with business objectives, ensuring operational efficiency, scalability, and a robust user experience. The ideal candidate will bring a balanced mindset of hands-on execution, leadership, and architectural oversight.

The Director will serve as a key thought partner to the VP of IT and a strategic leader for the Business Systems team, currently led by a Senior Manager. They will oversee application strategy across core business functions including retail/franchisee, ecommerce, supply chain, marketing, merchandising, finance, HR, and customer experience. This role requires a high level of cross-functional collaboration and a deep understanding of enterprise application ecosystems in a growth-oriented retail environment.

Apply now and help us inspire the runner in everyone.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Drive the enterprise applications roadmap and strategy to support Fleet Feet’s business goals.
• Translate high-level business needs into scalable and sustainable application solutions.
• Drives digital transformation by exploring automation, AI-driven tools, and user-centric application strategies.
• Partner with functional leaders across Retail/Franchisee Operations, Finance, HR, Marketing, Merchandising and eCommerce to prioritize application investments.
• Own and evolve Fleet Feet’s enterprise cloud strategy, with a primary focus on Oracle Cloud and Microsoft Azure platforms, ensuring alignment with business growth, system integration, and performance objectives.

Application Portfolio Management

• Own the lifecycle of all enterprise business applications including ERP, POS, CRM, HRIS, Financial Systems, and others.
• Lead evaluation, selection, implementation, and optimization of new software platforms and integrations.
• Effectively handle multiple, simultaneous projects with competing priorities and time-sensitive outcomes and produce quality results.
• Define and enforce standards for application architecture, data governance, and systems documentation.

Team and Vendor Leadership

• Manage and mentor the Senior Manager of Business Systems and the broader application support team.
• Hire, train and develop staff to effectively manage the development lifecycle.
• Build and develop a high-performing applications team culture focused on delivery, quality, and agility.
• Cultivate strong partnerships with third-party vendors, implementation partners, and managed service providers.

Project & Change Management

• Lead cross-functional application initiatives, including ERP enhancements, integration projects, and digital transformation programs.
• Deliver programs and platforms by leading cross-functional teams requiring strong partnership with business functions and vendors.
• Work directly with technology and business leadership to manage issues and mitigate risks to enable on time delivery within budget and with expected scope/quality.
• Ensure robust change management processes, user training, and communication plans for application deployments.
• Work to drive structured delivery and milestone accountability.

Operational Excellence

• Establish application KPIs and performance metrics; oversee application SLAs and uptime targets.
• Ensure cybersecurity, compliance, and audit-readiness within the application stack.
• Proactively identify system issues, inefficiencies, or opportunities for automation and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or a related technical field, Masters preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in enterprise applications leadership, preferably in a multi-location retail or consumer business.
• 5+ years of experience with the software development life cycle and working with retail applications.
• 5+ years of experience leading teams of IT professionals.
• Strong background in managing ERP (e.g., NetSuite, Dynamics), POS, CRM, HRIS, eCommerce or middleware platforms.
• A proven track record of developing and executing technology strategies.
• Demonstrated experience in vendor and stakeholder management, system integration, and application lifecycle governance.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor technical teams and deliver complex projects on time and on budget.
• Excellent interpersonal skills. Able to work across business lines at senior levels to influence and effect change to achieve common goals.
• Experience with strategic technology planning and execution.
• The position is based Carrboro, NC.
• Limited travel required.

Preferred

• Experience in omni-channel retail or franchise business models.
• Familiarity with identity management, data architecture, and cloud-native platforms.
• Knowledge of ITIL, Agile/Scrum, and project delivery best practices.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with a strong bias toward execution.
• Business-savvy technologist who thrives at the intersection of people, process, and technology.
• Exceptional communicator, capable of influencing up, down, and across.
• Passion for retail, innovation, and making systems work for people — not the other way around.

Benefits

At Fleet Feet, we provide more than just a job. We offer opportunities to thrive, grow, and make a meaningful impact. Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Robust benefits package including medical, dental, vision, FSA, HSA, EAP, and more
• 401(k) with 4% employer match and immediate vesting (available to part- and full-time employees age 21+ at company-owned stores)
• Training and advancement opportunities across the Fleet Feet brand
• Professional development programs, including mentorship, employee resource groups, and monthly learning sessions
• Community involvement and service initiatives supporting local engagement
• Discounts on training programs and products
• Supportive, passionate teammates who live the mission every day
• See the full offering in our Fleet Feet Benefits Summary for full-time employees working 30+ hours/week

Equal Opportunity & Reasonable Accommodations

We are an equal opportunity employer and believe having teams in which everyone brings their whole self to Fleet Feet is key to our success. We encourage people of all backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives. Our dedication to inclusion is reflected in our hiring practices, workplace culture, and community engagement.

Fleet Feet utilizes E-Verify in all corporate and company-operated stores as part of the hiring process.