Release Lead

Job Title: Release Lead

Location: Toronto, ON (Onsite)

Estimated Duration: 6 Months

Key Responsibilities

• Release Planning & Execution: Develop and maintain a highly structured Microsoft Project plan, ensuring coordination across multiple workstreams while adhering to established program governance standards and delivery procedures.
• Scope & Timeline Management: Enforce strict scope control to prevent scope creep, safeguarding budget integrity, resource efficiency, and program timelines.
• Deployment & Cutover Strategy: Develop and oversee a comprehensive deployment and cutover strategy, ensuring teams remain on track and proactively addressing risks and dependencies.
• Resource Management: Lead cross-functional teams across Business and IT to ensure alignment with transformation objectives.
• RAID Management: Define and rigorously track Risks, Assumptions, Issues, and Dependencies (RAID) to ensure seamless delivery.
• Executive Reporting & Communication: Deliver regular updates to Program Leadership and Senior Executives, providing clear, concise, data-driven insights on project status and solution readiness.
• Change Management & Business Readiness: Drive organizational change and ensure all stakeholders are informed, aligned, and prepared for each release.
• Quality Assurance & Compliance: Ensure all releases meet business transformation goals, industry standards, and best practices.
• Problem-Solving & Decision-Making: Resolve challenges with strategic problem-solving and decisive action to keep releases on track.
• Hybrid Methodology Coordination: Manage the project using a hybrid approach, blending Waterfall and Agile practices for optimal task execution.

Qualifications & Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in project/program management, ideally within retail transformation or large-scale enterprise initiatives.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Project for structured direction and task clarity.
• Proven ability to lead teams of 100+ individuals in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
• Exceptional communication and executive stakeholder management skills, including regular engagement with Program Leadership and C-suite leadership.
• RAID management expertise, with a strong focus on risk mitigation.
• Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making skills to address obstacles and maintain release integrity.
• Demonstrated experience delivering high-impact releases with aggressive timelines and complex dependencies.

Work Requirements

• This role will be required to be onsite 5 days per week to foster collaboration, ensure team alignment, and provide hands-on leadership within fast-moving retail transformation initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing retail ERP greenfield implementations, digital transformation initiatives, supply chain warehouse management projects, or POS replacements is a plus.
• Familiarity with enterprise retail systems such as SAP, Manhattan, BY Product Suite, Adobe Suite of Products, GK is an asset.
• Knowledge of organization change management and technology-driven retail innovation.
• Project management and release certifications (PMP or PRINCE2) is a must have.

Required:

• Cover letter along with resume that clearly indicates how the individuals experience aligns with the role requirements and will contribute to the success of the company's Future State Modernization program.

Additional Information:

• Program Background: the client has embarked on a multi-year business transformation program called Future State Modernization (FSM) to support long-term, sustainable success for the organization as the beverage alcohol marketplace and customer expectations continue to evolve. With rebuilding and strengthening the company's foundations as a top strategic priority, FSM will not only improve the company’s technology landscape but re-envision the way it operates across the business.