Paul Giordano

I am a seasoned Release Manager who has worked in the Change and Release Management IT field for 15 years. I am hard working and enjoyed being challenged with the projects and releases that I take on. I strive to go the extra mile to ensure my clients are completed satisfied. I have expert level understanding of the SDLC process as well as in depth knowledge of the Agile methodologies. My current role is very Agile in nature.  

Nov 2022 to Present - Enterprise Release Manager

Software & Infrastructure Eng, TheScore.com Media & Gaming Inc.
Working as an Enterprise Release Manager I am responsible for planning and implementing changes to the infrastructure backend for TheScore’s Sports Media as well as Sports betting mobile applications for Apple iOS & Android. This involves knowledge and understanding of submitting applications to the Google Play Store as well as the Apple Appstore. I also work extensively with various Canadian & US governing bodies to ensure regulatory requirements are constantly met. In this role I adhere to the Agile Methodology utilizing 3 weeks Jira sprints. The role is also very Confluence based.

Jun 2018 To Oct 2022 

Release Manager
Enterprise Technology Operations, Bank of Montreal
Working as Release Manager I have managed 750+ releases both large and small for the BMO desktop & server environments. This role has allowed me to work with numerous project stakeholders to ensure releases are implemented in both a professional and timely manner. It also allows me to work on the leading edge of new technology.

Responsibilities/Duties Include:
 Handing of a release from assignment up until post-implementation remediation. This includes
reaching out to sponsors to understand timelines and sizing, as well as working with the
packaging and development teams to ensure packaging work is done as per requirements and in
a timely manner as well as on budget.
 User Acceptance Testing (UAT). This provides functional testing for the sponsor to ensure the
package meets requirements and avoids excessive trips back to packaging after the release has
moved to QA thus saving QA & Dev cycles.
 Working with the QA team to provide operational testing for release as well as managing build
errors.
 Working with the Software Deployment team to formulate a rollout strategy that meets
requirements but also does not invite excessive risk.
 Working it Level 3 support in the event there are any post-implementation follow-up required.
 Working with the communication team (ETE) to ensure upcoming changes are conveyed to the
targeted user community.

Jan 2008 Change Manager (Included 3 Month Release Management Secondment - 2013)
May 2018 Service Management, Technology Service Engagement, Bank of Montreal

Working with Release, Project, Change, and Problem Managers, as well as the LOB, Development, and QA Teams, I was able to effectively foster and maintain strong, efficient, and well-maintained Change
Environments. These comprised of the Pathway Connect (all BMO branches), Harris Connect (all Harris & M&I branches), ATM, as well as the BMO Infrastructure platforms. I took on this role in Jan 2008 and successfully managed the changes for these environments for 10 years. My feedback from all partners was that my professionalism, work ethic, and team player mentality allow me to foster a collaborative environment where people work together to achieve maximum success in minimal time.

Responsibilities/Duties Included:
 Responsible for the intake, evaluation, scheduling, and risk classification for change requests
(CRQ’s) that will be implemented on the team’s respective change platforms. This was achieved
by vetting changes to determine a change’s potential cross-impact or environmental risk as per
SLA and ITIL guidelines. This role also involved managing the Forward Schedule of Changes (aka
Grid) which acted as the main road map for which changes will be delivered to our platforms.
This needed to be done in a way that balanced the business need with the potential to impact on
the bank’s ability to conduct day-to-day business.
 Maintaining, updating, and tracking all changes via the Remedy Ticketing System and various
Change Matrices so that changes were visible to all other groups in the Bank of Montreal
organization.
 Creating and sending to management various reports such as the WICS Report, Forward Schedule
of Changes, and KPI Metrics. These were valuable tools that displayed our activity levels as well
as metrics in terms of achieving Key Performance Indicators (KPI).
 Providing communications as required to the Lines of Business of potential impacts to the
customer.

Jan 2004 To Jan 2008  

Software Distribution Analyst - Desktop Management Services Department, Bank of Montreal

Worked with the Software Distribution team and manager to implement changes to the Pathway
Connect, Harris Connect, and ATM environments via Tivoli and Microsoft’s SMS/ SCCM Delivery System.

Roles &Responsibilities Included:
 Successful delivery of changes to the branch and ATM desktop environments. This was achieved by
promoting code packages through the entire software creation cycle including Development, QA, and
Production. Success in this role was defined by constantly checking nightly delivery schedules for
proper planning and the correction of any potential errors. It also involved implementing the
deliveries and constantly monitoring progress to ensure success.
 Responsible for the electronic distribution and monitoring of nightly production deliveries to the
entire Bank of Montreal, Harris, and ATM infrastructure (Including Desktops, laptops, servers, and
ABMs).
 Dayshift Delivery exception monitoring and follow-up with other ITIL functions.

Jun 2000 To Jan 2004 Network Analyst - Field Services, First Canadian Place, Bank of Montreal
Worked with the Field Services Manager, fellow team members, as well as customers, to provide
excellence in Network Support. Roles & Responsibilities Included: Desktop and Server support including troubleshooting and repairing production outages at the server and desktop level.

March 1998 To Jun 2000 

Systems Integrator Business to Business, Cardholder Services, Bank of Montreal
Worked with the manager, sales managers, third-party customers, and developers to deliver excellence in the systems Integration function.

Roles & Responsibilities Included:
 Meeting with third-party clients to determine their business requirements for integration of the Bank
of Montreal’s MasterCard reporting database into their in-house Accounts Payable system.
 Development of reports in the Crystal Reports tool to provide tracking for third-party customers who
utilized the BMO MasterCard as either a Purchasing Card or Travel and Expense Card.
 Aiding the Sales team by answering any technical-related questions in high-level sales presentations
to our customer’s executive.
 Day-to-day support of third-party clients to maintain the SmartData as well as Details On-Line
systems.
 Developing flat file creation for upload into the client’s account’s payable system.

June 2018 Agile Foundations, Pink Elephant
August 2017 ITIL Release, Control, & Validation Course, Pink Elephant
June 2016 Foundations in IT Service Management, Pink Elephant (Certified)
November 2015 Handling Difficult Situations, BMO Institute for Learning
October 2014 Fundamentals of Negotiation , BMO Institute for Learning
June 2007 Project Management Course Level 1 & 2, BMO Institute for Learning
April 2005 Windows Server 2003 – Polar Bear Training
September 2003 ITIL Foundations, Pink Elephant
June 1999 Microsoft Access Support, Polar Bear Training
March 1999 Crystal Reports, Polar Bear Training
Sep 96 - Apr 97 Microsoft Windows NT Course Suite, Memorex Telex
Sep 96 – Apr 97 Certified Novell Engineer Certification, Memorex Telex
Jan 91 University of Toronto, Full-Time Student
To May 95 Bachelor of Arts Degree Program, Anthropology