Scrum Master

Job Details:

The Scrum Master role is to:

- Prepare the team (s) for the big room Planning Increment (PI) Planning events, ensuring they are briefed, that coordination and timely communication occurs with other teams and stakeholders for alignment. They facilitate multiple product teams (typically made up of 8-12 people each) in writing their PI objectives, presenting back their draft and final plans to other teams and business stakeholders.

- Optimise the flow of value at the team level and implement improvements. They are responsible for managing the work in the time box and coaching the team in the adoption of agile practices. They will be supporting the delivery of digital and data based planning products to improve efficiency and give better insights.

- Collaborate with other teams, to manage the work orchestration between teams in/outside of the ART by identifying and resolving impediments, and dependencies between groups.

- Supports iteration execution through facilitating time boxed team events, ensuring they are productive and positive. Work with the Product Owner (s) to maximise the amount of value being delivered and that the work meets the agreed Definition of Done. They will also assist in estimating and tracking the execution of stories, tasks and defects, also contributing to the Agile Release Train (ART) / Coach Syncs.

- Work with Developers, Product Owners, the Release Train Engineer, Product Manager and Architects, to improve the flow of value whilst supporting the team in building the right thing to the agreed standards.

- Promote best practice regarding DevOps and moving towards a Continuous Delivery Pipeline.

- Help resolve blockers/impediments, get involved hands on with the team in the work and look for opportunities for longer term improvement.

Section 4 Key Accountabilities

PI Planning/Coach Sync – Facilitate team level breakouts and provide general facilitation support to the Release Train Engineer (where needed)

Team Events – Facilitate the Daily Stand-up, PI / Iteration Planning, and backlog refinement ceremonies

Inspect & Adapt – Facilitate Iteration Reviews / Retrospectives and problem-solving workshops as and when required

Product Backlog (s) – Work in collaboration with the Product Owner (s) to ensure there is a sized and prioritized team backlog of ready items

Coaching product teams – Improve the team (s) ways of working, identifying and addressing skills gaps, resolving dependencies, impediments and solving conflict

Servant leadership & reporting – Accountability for the product team (s) Kanban board, progress against objectives, flow / quality measures and Scaled Agile Framework adoption

Risks, Impediments, & Dependencies – Accountable for their identification, visibility and effective resolution.

Create and maintain open and inclusive environment – a safe space where everyone can contribute and promoting psychological safety

Section 5 – Qualifications and Experience

• Recognised Scrum certification preferred i.e. PSM I/II or CSM/A-CSM

• Scrum Master experience for technology teams delivering digital/data products (4+ years) in cross functional delivery teams

• A good understanding of modern products and Agile aligned principles/practices/frameworks (i.e. SAFe, Scrum and Kanban)

• Experience of working in Agile teams that interface with other groups working in a Portfolio/Program/Project methodology (i.e. regulated business, OT space, construction)

• Strong facilitation, communication, conflict resolution, organisational and time management skills

• T-shaped person with broader experience than coaching, can flex into other areas such as product, design, test automation, research or quality assurance, if needed

• Track record of improving delivery capabilities, increasing throughput and team flow

• Experience using metrics and business intelligence tools to gain insights and make data-based decisions

• Can successfully operate at different levels, from the team to senior key stakeholders

• Able to apply different coaching techniques to improve performance

• Exposure to Test / Behaviour Driven Development and Continuous Integration / Delivery practices

• Experience of working in a matrix organisation with on and offshore team members, ideally involved in mobilising new teams