At Academy Sports + Outdoors our vision is to be the best sports + outdoors retailer in the country — but what truly sets us apart is our people. We’re a passionate, purpose-driven team that’s as committed to each other as we are to our customers.
We’ve spent over 80 years building a culture that puts people first. We believe in creating opportunities for growth, fostering meaningful connections, and supporting every Team Member’s journey. What fuels us? Our belief in the power of fun.
Here, you won’t just help customers gear up for their next adventure — you’ll launch one of your own. Whether you're starting out or leveling up, Academy is a place where fun can’t lose!
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Data, Engineering, Business, or related field, or equivalent practical experience
- Microsoft AI, Azure, Power Platform, or Copilot Studio certification
- Training in responsible AI, data governance, product management, agile delivery, or enterprise architecture
Experience
- 8-10+ years in AI, enterprise platforms, data, automation, software delivery, or digital transformation
- 2+ years of hands-on experience building AI agents, automations, copilots, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) solutions, or AI-enabled workflow tools
- 3–5+ years of experience leading, coaching, and mentoring teams
- Experience leading enterprise-scale AI or technology initiatives across multiple business units
- Experience influencing senior leaders and working within executive-sponsored programs
- Experience with Microsoft AI tools including Copilot Studio, Azure AI, Azure OpenAI, Power Platform, SharePoint, Teams, and Microsoft Graph
- Experience working in a governed enterprise environment with Architecture, Security, Legal, Compliance, Data, and business stakeholders
- Experience owning or contributing to enterprise governance frameworks or operating models
- Experience standing up a CoE, platform team, product function, or internal product operating model
- Retail or multi-site experience strongly preferred
Skills
- Translate business problems into AI opportunities, solution requirements, and adoption plans
- Manage product intake, roadmap prioritization, enablement planning, pilot execution, adoption, and value tracking
- Define enterprise AI strategy, operating models, and adoption frameworks
- Apply knowledge of Microsoft Copilot, Copilot Studio, Azure AI, Power Platform, and enterprise data sources
- Apply sound judgment on responsible AI, data privacy, access controls, prompt security, and cost management
- Communicate effectively with and influence senior and executive stakeholders
Responsibilities
- Own AI CoE product intake, roadmap prioritization, enablement planning, pilot execution, adoption, and value tracking
- Lead AI CoE initiatives at enterprise scale across multiple business units
- Define and own the AI CoE operating model including governance, intake, and platform reuse
- Partner with business and senior leadership to identify AI use cases tied to productivity, operational improvement, risk reduction, and decision-making
- Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on AI enablement, investment prioritization, and governance
- Guide design and rollout of AI-enabled solutions using Microsoft AI platforms and enterprise data sources
- Determine optimal delivery path across native platforms, CoE-built solutions, architecture support, and third-party tools
- Partner with Architecture, Security, Legal, and Data teams to ensure solutions are secure, governed, and supportable
- Establish guardrails for data privacy, access controls, prompt security, cost management, and responsible AI use
- Define enterprise-level success measures including adoption, productivity impact, cycle-time reduction, and ROI
- Build and scale repeatable enablement patterns, intake templates, adoption playbooks, and governance mechanisms
- Manage relationships with strategic partners supporting AI platform and delivery
- Lead and develop team members
Physical Requirements & Attendance
- Acceptable level of hearing and vision to perform job duties
- Adhere to company work hours, policies, procedures, and rules governing professional staff behavior
- Regular in-office attendance is required
Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate with regard to employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by law.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, IT, Data, Engineering, Business, or related field, or equivalent experience
- Microsoft AI, Azure, Power Platform, or Copilot Studio certification
- Training in responsible AI, data governance, product management, agile delivery, or enterprise architecture
- 8-10+ years in AI, enterprise platforms, data, automation, software delivery, or digital transformation
- 2+ years hands-on building AI agents, automations, copilots, RAG solutions, or AI-enabled workflow tools
- 3-5+ years leading, coaching, and mentoring teams
- Experience leading enterprise-scale AI or technology initiatives across multiple business units
- Experience influencing senior leaders and working within executive-sponsored programs
- Experience with Microsoft AI tools including Copilot Studio, Azure AI, Azure OpenAI, Power Platform, SharePoint, Teams, and Microsoft Graph
- Experience working in a governed enterprise environment with Architecture, Security, Legal, Compliance, Data, and business stakeholders
- Experience owning or contributing to enterprise governance frameworks or operating models
- Experience standing up a CoE, platform team, product function, or internal product operating model
- Retail or multi-site experience
Academy Sports + Outdoors Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Academy Sports + Outdoors and has not been reviewed or approved by Academy Sports + Outdoors.
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Retirement Support — A dollar-for-dollar 401(k) match up to 6% and an employee stock purchase plan are consistently presented as core strengths. These features stand out within big-box retail and are frequently highlighted as valuable parts of total compensation.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — A 20% merchandise discount, pay-on-demand access to wages, and tuition reimbursement provide tangible everyday value. Onsite gym access in Katy corporate/DC locations and vendor discount networks further enhance lifestyle perks.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off, paid holidays, and defined maternity and parental leave are part of the standard package. Materials also indicate PTO availability for some part-time store roles in certain situations.
Academy Sports + Outdoors Insights
What We Do
At Academy Sports + Outdoors, we believe in the power of fun. And we believe in helping our customers have more of it. With a wide assortment of sporting and outdoors gear, Academy offers the best brands under one roof — curated to make the most of every budget. Day in and day out, our 20,000+ Team Members bring a sense of adventure, energy, and passion to work. Understanding our people and the things that matter to them has been at the core of Academy culture for over 80 years. We take pride in creating a workplace that values hard work, commitment, growth, and of course, FUN. Academy — headquartered in Katy, TX, a suburb of Houston — is one of the nation’s largest sporting goods and outdoor stores. We offer a broad assortment of quality hunting, fishing, and camping equipment and gear, as well as sports and leisure products, footwear, apparel, and much more. Originally founded in 1938 as a family business in Texas, Academy has grown to a wide network of stores across many states, with $6.8 billion in annual revenue.
