Principal, Design Studio - Data & AI Retail

Why you’ll love Softchoice :

We are a technology company that equips organizations to be agile and innovative and for their people to be productive, creative, and happier at work.

That means moving them to the cloud, helping them build the workplace of tomorrow, and enabling them to make smarter decisions about their technology portfolio.

By doing these things, we create success faster and in circumstances otherwise not possible. We stand proudly for our people and support their success through career development and advancement.

We are recognized and respected for our culture of inclusion and belonging, continuously striving to do what’s good for our people and communities.

The impact you will have :

Joining the Design Studio as a Principal, you will spearhead the expansion of our IT Strategy Advisory, AI, and Data Advisory capabilities.

In this role, you will lead engagements by providing clients with strategic insights and actionable guidance, leveraging technology to drive diverse business outcomes.

As a Principal, you will take ownership of opportunities from inception to closure, collaborating with Softchoice resources to navigate complex, cross-practice deals and ensure successful delivery.

What you’ll do :

As a Principal, you will be pivotal in driving the design, development, and implementation of Data & AI solutions within complex, cross-practice deals.

Lead Client Engagement : Take an active leadership role in end-to-end client engagement, delivering technology-enabled solutions that shape the future.

This encompasses understanding product needs, development, and ongoing maintenance and enhancement of solutions.

Business Development and Relationship Management : Develop and nurture relationships with key client stakeholders, demonstrating proficiency in originating deals with C-level clients.

Lead pursuit teams, actively contribute to proposal development and shape pricing strategies to drive business growth.

Practitioner Development : Serve as a counselor and coach, providing valuable input and guidance into the staffing process, and Practice Development.

Actively participate in staff recruitment and retention initiatives to foster talent development within the organization.

Consulting : Collaborate with Softchoice Enterprise and born-in-the-cloud customers to assess their current gaps and potential impact.

Utilize Data & AI PS capabilities within Softchoice and the wider partner community to deliver tailored solutions to customers.

Continuous Learning and Growth : Cultivate a growth mindset, continually seeking new and improved methods to drive impact with people and technology.

Embrace opportunities to explore familiar and unfamiliar technologies, including closed-source and open-source software.

Retail Industry Expertise : Leverage your deep understanding of the industry to identify emerging platforms and industry-specific requirements.

Utilize AI and Data capabilities to address the unique challenges and opportunities within retail, such as personalized customer experiences, inventory optimization, and omnichannel strategies.

What you’ll bring to the table :

As a Principal within the Design Studio, you will possess a deep understanding of client industries and businesses and the ability to accelerate their digital transformation journeys through innovative solutions.

This role demands strong financial and business acumen, extensive knowledge in technology and change management, and a principled approach to addressing digital transformation challenges and opportunities.

• Analytical, Interpersonal, and Creative Skills : You excel at analyzing complex situations, fostering interpersonal relationships, and leveraging creative solutions at the intersection of business and technology.
• Ambitious and Enterprising : With a strong presence in the C-Suite, you demonstrate ambition and entrepreneurship, thriving in environments that demand leadership and strategic thinking.
• Active Learner and Pattern Recognizer : You continuously seek out patterns in business, technology, and organizational cultures, providing valuable insights to clients.

With a growth mindset, you enjoy exploring familiar and unfamiliar technologies to craft innovative solutions.

Educational and Certification Background : An undergraduate degree is required, with preference given to business or technology majors.

An MA, MBA, or MSc is beneficial. Certifications in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or related IT or management consulting disciplines are valuable.

Practical Experience : With 10 years of experience in business advisory and / or consulting within IT, you bring a wealth of practical knowledge.

Demonstrated advisory experience in Data & Analytics, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence is essential.

• Solution Landscape Navigation : You possess a deep understanding of the solution landscape in Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Generative AI, enabling you to guide clients effectively.
• Retail Industry Expertise : You have a proven track record in the retail industry, with a keen understanding of emerging platforms, industry requirements, and the strategic use of AI and Data to drive business outcomes.
• Presentation and Facilitation Skills : Your experience in presenting and facilitating client-facing engagements is evident, reflecting your ability to convey complex ideas with clarity and confidence.
• Flexibility and Adaptability : You have demonstrated the ability to handle mission flexibility and clarify ambiguous client intents, ensuring alignment and successful outcomes.
• Trusted Advisor Status : Your history of gaining and maintaining trusted advisor status with management and strong working relationships with C-suite executives is highly beneficial to this role.
• Supplemental Technology Capabilities : You possess knowledge and experience in supplemental technology capabilities, including Data Security, data governance, common data protection and privacy frameworks, as well as Application Development and DevOps practices.

Why people love working here :

• Softchoice has been recognized as a Best Workplace in Canada by the Great Place to Work Institute for 17 consecutive years.
• Softchoice has been certified as a Great Place to Work in the United States for several years.
• We offer meaningful work and opportunities for career growth.
• Our team members have 2 paid volunteer days per year to give back to a cause of their choice.
• We offer an opportunity to build a career in the technology industry.
• We have raised over $3 million through Softchoice Cares, our grassroots fundraising organization.

Inclusion & Equal Opportunity Employment :

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, inclusion, and belonging. People seeking employment at Softchoice are considered without regard to any protected category, including but not limited to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, disability, veteran status, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

Require an accommodation? We are ready to help :

We proudly provide interview and employment accommodation during the recruitment and hiring process. If you require any accommodation to apply or interview for a position, please contact .

We are committed to working with you to best meet your needs.

Our commitment to your experience :

We are committed to the safety of all candidates and team members. With that in mind, we have implemented virtual interviewing for everyone.

We understand that you may need to interview with distractions around you (such as children or furry friends), and we will most likely be doing the same.

Before you start with us, we will conduct a criminal record check, verify your education, and check your references. When you join Softchoice, we will onboard you remotely.

Don’t worry. It’s quick and simple, and you’ll be connected with your new team quickly.

EoE / M / F / Vet / Disability #LI-AC