The Associate Vice President (AVP) of Technology Program Management & Vendor Governance is a strategic leadership role that anchors Bath & Body Works' enterprise technology governance capability, a recognized function within CIO organizations at leading consumer and retail enterprises. This leader establishes the discipline, accountability, and performance rigor required to maximize value from the company's largest technology partnerships, govern enterprise technology investment portfolios, and maintain the control frameworks that protect stores, digital platforms, and supply chain operations across all channels.
Reporting to the Chief Information Officer (CIO), this leader serves as the executive-level governance authority for Bath & Body Works' Accenture managed services partnership, a strategic relationship representing one of the company's most significant technology investments. This role directly oversees enterprise technology portfolio governance, enterprise change and control frameworks, technology organizational change management (OCM), technology communication strategy and execution, and leads a team of three direct reports with a total organization of 16. Consistent with how technology-led enterprises structure this function, analogous to Technical Program Management at scale, the AVP ensures technology programs are not only delivered effectively, but are successfully adopted through proactive stakeholder engagement, change readiness, and appropriate communication strategies. The AVP of Technology & Vendor Governance ensures every technology investment, vendor commitment, execution and change decision is governed with precision and accountability that directly supports the Consumer First Formula.
ResponsibilitiesStrategic Vendor & Partner Governance
- Serve as the executive governance authority for the Accenture managed services partnership, overseeing contract performance, service delivery accountability, and value realization
- Establish and enforce enterprise-grade governance frameworks including technical SLAs, performance scorecards, and commercial accountability mechanisms that link directly to revenue protection, customer experience outcomes, and Consumer First Formula priorities
- Govern vendor delivery against contractual and technical commitments; escalate and resolve performance gaps with discipline and urgency
- Lead QBRs and executive governance forums delivering transparent, data-driven insight into partner performance, risk posture, and continuous improvement
- Drive commercial optimization across contract adherence, scope governance, rate card management, and total return on investment.
Technology Portfolio & Investment Governance
- Own enterprise technology portfolio governance, applying a technical program management discipline to ensure end-to-end system alignment, dependency management, and delivery accountability across stores, digital, supply chain, and enterprise platforms
- Govern the full IT investment portfolio with rigorous prioritization, financial accountability, and alignment to measurable business outcomes and Consumer First Formula priorities
- Establish scalable governance mechanisms, Agile/product delivery standards, and portfolio prioritization processes that improve throughput, predictability, and quality
- Proactively identify and resolve cross-program dependencies, capacity constraints, and investment conflicts impacting delivery or peak readiness
- Deliver board-ready reporting on portfolio health, financial performance, risk exposure, and value realization across all initiatives
- Establish and govern the enterprise AI portfolio, ensuring AI initiatives are prioritized, funded, and executed with clear alignment to business value, data integrity, model performance, and enterprise risk controls
Enterprise Change & Risk Management
- Own enterprise IT change and risk management, maintaining control frameworks that protect store, digital, and supply chain operations from change-induced disruption
- Govern portfolio change through a risk-based approach balancing speed and stability, with heightened controls during peak retail periods
- Partner with engineering, infrastructure, and cybersecurity teams to reduce change-related incidents through structured pre-change rigor and post-change accountability
- Drive automation and intelligence into governance processes while maintaining auditability and regulatory compliance
Technology Organizational Change Management & Communications
- Lead the enterprise Technology Organizational Change Management (OCM) function, ensuring successful adoption and value realization of technology initiatives across stores, digital, supply chain, and corporate functions.
- Develop and execute change management strategies, including stakeholder engagement, change impact assessments, communication planning, training enablement, and adoption measurement.
- Partner with business, HR, and technology leaders to proactively manage organizational impacts associated with technology transformation and operating model changes.
- Own the technology communications strategy, providing clear, consistent, and timely communications regarding technology priorities, initiatives, service impacts, and business outcomes.
- Establish metrics to measure change readiness, stakeholder engagement, communication effectiveness, and technology adoption across the enterprise.
Strategic Partnership & Executive Engagement
- Partner with CIO, CDTO, and business leadership to translate technical governance outcomes into business value: cost efficiency, risk reduction, delivery velocity, and growth enablement under the consumer first formula
- Serve as CIO advisor on technology investment, vendor performance, and execution risk
- Prepare and present executive and board-level reporting on technology portfolio and vendor governance performance, accountability, and strategic initiative progress
- Champion governance as a competitive capability, elevating BBW delivery rigor to the standard of leading omnichannel and technology-led enterprises
- 12+ years of progressive technology leadership with accountability for technical portfolio management, program governance, or large-scale vendor delivery in complex enterprise environments
- Proven success governing large-scale managed services relationships, including SLA performance, commercial accountability, and value realization
- Demonstrated ability to operate with deep technical program management rigor driving system-level alignment, managing cross-program dependencies, and leading delivery across complex, integrated platforms
- Demonstrated experience leading Organizational Change Management (OCM) functions supporting large-scale technology transformations and enterprise modernization initiatives
- Proven ability to develop executive communication strategies, stakeholder engagement plans, and enterprise-wide technology communications that drive adoption, readiness, and business outcomes
- Experience governing AI/advanced technology portfolios, performance monitoring, and risk/compliance requirements
- Strong understanding of omnichannel retail ecosystems (stores, digital, supply chain) and the role of technology in enabling business performance
- Exceptional executive presence with the ability to translate complex technical, financial, and operational dynamics into clear, actionable insight
- Strong financial acumen managing large-scale technology portfolios, budgets, and vendor contracts
- Track record of establishing scalable governance mechanisms that improve delivery predictability, quality, and speed
- Familiarity with enterprise governance frameworks (ITIL, COBIT) and SOX IT general controls as applied within CIO organization.
Education- Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Business, or related field (Master's preferred)
Core Competencies- Lead with Curiosity & Humility
- Build High Performing Teams for Today & Tomorrow
- Influence & Inspire with Vision & Purpose
- Observe, Engage & Connect
- Strive to Achieve Operational Excellence
- Deliver Business Results
BenefitsBath & Body Works associates are the heart of our business. That's why we're proud to offer benefits that empower you to Dream Bigger & Live Brighter. Benefits for eligible associates include:
- Robust medical, pharmacy, dental and vision coverage. Plus, access to our onsite wellness center and pharmacy located at the Columbus, OH home office.
- 401k with company match and Associate Stock Purchase with discount
- No-cost mental health and wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Opportunity for paid time off and paid parental leave. Plus, access to family and lifestyle programs including a family building benefit, childcare discounts, and home, auto and pet insurance.
- Tuition reimbursement and scholarship opportunities for post-secondary education programs
- 40% merchandise discount and gratis that encourages you to come back to your senses!
Visit bbwbenefits.com for more details.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.
