Scrum Master

The Scrum Master position is responsible for using Agile methods to facilitate and direct the efforts of scrum teams to support the delivery of high-quality technology products. This position will lead teams focused on driving Agile adoption and execution from definition through successful release and transfer to operations. The Scrum Master will achieve clearly defined results operating within the agreed upon time and specifications of each project and/or release. This position will work closely with the other departments to achieve project/release goals. This role will require working with 2-4 agile teams with a focus on guiding the teams towards the delivery of high-quality technology projects using agile methods., * Partners with the IT Solution Manager and Product Owner on the Product Backlog and Sprint Planning.

• Identifies and applies the most appropriate Agile methodology for system support, system enhancements, and projects
• Establishes and facilitates the development of the team charter, working agreements, and team norms.
• Conducts Sprint Planning to define scope, groom the backlog with the Product Owner and the team and define the Release plan
• Supports Quarterly / PI Planning and cross portfolio coordination where applicable.
• Establishes and maintains a documentation process using standard tools.
• Provides input into planning for team resources required to execute project components from design phase through implementation.

Sprint Development & Delivery

• Clearly communicates ongoing vision, goals, and backlog content to the scrum team members.
• Facilitates daily stand ups to address accomplishments, issues, and focus.
• Manage changes to the scope of the Sprint. Protects the scrum team from over-commitments, complacency, and distraction from goals.
• Assists the agile team to promote clear story writing and product backlog story grooming.
• Facilitates ‘ceremonies’ (planning, retrospectives, reviews, stand-ups) as required.
• Manages dependencies between scrum team and third parties or between scrum team and other scrum teams; ensures cross-team coordination with a focus on development, test, QA, and releases.
• Tracks, monitors, and reports scrum team metrics.
• Maintains scrum team’s focus on technical excellence and product quality.
• Facilitates team discussion, decision making, conflict resolution and mitigates roadblocks, issues and risks.
• Build a trusting and safe environment where problems can be raised without fear of blame, retribution, or judgement, with an emphasis on problem solving.
• Partner with Project Managers to effectively support and drive project deliverables.
• Leads the definition of ‘done’; works with the team to ensure completion of Sprint goals.
• Track the teams’ velocity and progress towards goals (Burn Up, Burn Down, confidence intervals, etc.)
• Creates and communicates status for teams and leadership; includes progress, key issues and changes which may impact the expected business results.

Coaching & Mentoring

• Serves as a ‘servant-leader’ to the team and drives team problem solving.
• Ensures that Agile Methodologies are implemented consistently across the team.
• Provides training and coaching to team members in the use of Agile methods (Backlog Grooming, Sprint Planning, Sprint Retrospectives, Reviews, etc.).
• Holds team members accountable, sets clear performance standards, resolves performance issues and keeps the team on task.
• Supports the Product Owner to effectively manage the Product Backlog; includes maintenance, prioritization, and defect resolution.
• Provides coaching and mentoring to other Scrum Teams, Scrum Masters, Product Owners and Stakeholders.

Competency of the Agile Process:

• Understands and establishes the Agile process, standards, best practices, metrics and associated deliverables to implement standards and consistencies.
• Identifies areas and recommendations for Agile process improvement. Provide visibility and awareness of the Agile process and opportunities to engage in improving the process.
• Develop and maintain effective liaison relationships with the IT Management and Business Customers on developing and implementation Agile processes.
• Provide leadership on advisory groups and Communities of Practice in the furtherance of Agile processes.
• Provider leadership on the drive to continuously evolve and support Agile Transformation.

Leadership:

• Actively contributes to enterprise Agile transformation initiatives through coaching, standards adoption, and maturity practices.
• Leads cross-team delivery improvement initiatives, leveraging metrics, capacity insights, and dependency management practices to improve delivery predictability and value throughput.
• Commit to knowledge development, continue to educate and share knowledge with Scrum Master community.

Do you have experience in Writing skills?, Do you have a Bachelor’s degree?, Knowledge of:

• Effective usage of Agile methodologies in the software development life cycle.
• Understanding of Agile software development methodologies: Scrum, Lean, and Kanban and others.
• Understanding of the software development life cycle’s integration with the overall life cycle of a project.

Ability to:

• Demonstrate strong coaching and mentoring skills, strategic thinking, problem solving skills, decision-making skills; strong interpersonal communication, networking and negotiating skills; mentoring and leadership skills; written, oral and presentation skills are required.
• Meet deadlines and manage multiple priorities.
• Show strong execution and agility skills.
• Demonstrate facilitation, mentoring and coaching skills.
• Display strong communication skills: written, oral and presentation skills are required.
• Effect changes and influence people and processes., * Bachelor’s degree in computer science, management information systems, or related field. However, upon evaluation, equivalent related experience and/or education may be substituted for the degree. Direct experience leading both project and agile teams is required.
• 5-7 years’ hands-on IT delivery experience (Agile and/or Waterfall).
• 5-7 years’ experience working in an Agile environment.
• 5-7 years of demonstrated experience is preferred, playing the Scrum Master role for a software development team that was applying Scrum principles, practices, and theory.
• Experience using Agile methods (Kanban, XP, FDD, etc.) is preferred. Experience completing multiple Agile projects.
• Proven track record of building motivated, collaborative, and productive teams, including remote team members.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: (Additional qualifications that may make a person even more effective in the role, but are not required for consideration)

• Certified Scrum Master (CSM) certification is preferred.
• Experience using Agile methods (Kanban, SAFe, XP, FDD, etc.) is preferred.

Pulled from the full job description

• Continuing education credits
• Health insurance
• 401(k) matching
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• Paid sick time
• Life insurance, Hollstadt offers medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, paid sick leave, and retirement benefits to eligible employees. With three different medical plans to choose from, you can enroll in the coverage you need from individual to family, or anywhere in between!

Remarketing Process

Hollstadt is based on retention and relationships. We get to know your strengths and career wishes throughout your assignment and then start remarket discussions 6-8 weeks prior to your end date. By being proactive, we are able to keep your down time between assignments as short as possible, unless you choose otherwise.

Professional Development

Hollstadt offers on-demand training through our consultant portal. Trainings give our consultants the continuing education they need to excel on their projects. Many of our courses apply towards continuing education credits and we have an entire training hub dedicated to upskilling in Artificial Intelligence (AI).

401k + Matching

One popular benefit is our 401(k) match on the first 4% of your contributions. Hollstadt wants to help you reach your long-term financial goals and understands that planning for your future is critical. Consultants also have access to support from a Financial Advisor.

Bonus Opportunities

We appreciate and reward loyalty. Join Hollstadt, stay for 5 years, and we’ll give you a $5,000 Longevity Award bonus! Additionally, we know great talent knows other great talent. If you are on contract with Hollstadt and refer one of your connections who gets placed, we’ll pay you $1,000!

Ongoing Support & Networking

We have made a significant investment in building a support program for our consultant team - so you never have to feel like you are going it alone. We also have a Consultant Coach program which acts like a ‘work buddy’ to provide a safe ear for questions or concerns at your client site.

Hollstadt Consulting is a management and technology consulting firm dedicated to placing professionals at engagements where they will excel. When you work with us, you’ll work with a refreshingly real company led and staffed by seasoned experts who are also down-to-earth, good people. We’re committed to treating you with respect and helping you achieve your career aspirations.

Since 1990, Hollstadt has been a trusted partner to more than 150 domestic and global companies and has successfully completed over 3,000 projects. Our continued growth has created challenging and rewarding opportunities for accomplished IT and Business Consultants. Hollstadt Consulting is an equal opportunity employer including disability/veteran.

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