Scrum Master - Financial Services

Pontoon Solutions; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Pontoon Solutions is hiring a Scrum Master for a Financial Services client in Manchester. The role involves guiding teams through Agile practices and promoting self-organisation, with a strong focus on customer value and continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will support the Product Owner and help drive team maturity, maintain open communication, and remove impediments. The position is office-based four days a week in Manchester, offering a collaborative, high-trust environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Scrum Master for software teams.
• Experience in a Financial Services environment preferred.
• Strong servant leadership, facilitation and conflict-resolution skills.

Responsibilities

• Guide teams in applying Agile/Scrum practises and values to maximise customer satisfaction.
• Facilitate self-organisation and identify gaps in Scrum frameworks.
• Coach teams to higher Scrum maturity at a steady pace.
• Remove impediments and help teams solve issues.
• Create a safe, trusting environment for open discussion.
• Lead discussions and resolve conflicts to support collaboration.
• Improve communication and transparency across teams and stakeholders.
• Support the Product Owner in grooming the backlog.
• Lead by example with servant leadership and supportive behavior.

Skills

Scrum Master

Servant leadership

Facilitation

Conflict resolution

Agile methods

Mentoring

Tools

Kanban

XP

Job description

Location: Manchester, 4 days per week in the office

About the Role:

Our client is seeking a passionate and experienced Scrum Master with experience in Financial Services to join their dynamic team. This is an exciting opportunity to work within an organisation that values collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will guide teams through Agile practises, fostering an environment that delights customers and promotes self-organisation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure customer satisfaction by guiding teams in the effective application of Agile/Scrum practises and values.
• Facilitate self-organisation within teams, empowering them to identify and fill gaps in Agile/Scrum frameworks.
• Assess the Scrum maturity of teams and coach them to higher levels, ensuring growth at a comfortable pace.
• Remove impediments and assist teams in finding personnel to resolve issues effectively.
• Build a safe and trusting environment where team members can raise concerns without fear of blame or judgement.
• Facilitate discussions and conflict resolution to ensure productive collaboration.
• Enhance internal and external communication, improving transparency and radiating information effectively.
• Support the Product Owner in grooming and maintaining the product backlog.
• Lead by example with a servant leadership style, providing unwavering support to the team.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Proven experience as a Scrum Master for a software development team, diligently applying Scrum principles, practises, and theory.
• Previous experience within a Financial Services organisation. Experience within Fund Accounting preferred but not required
• Strong understanding of servant leadership, facilitation, conflict resolution, and continual improvement.
• Knowledge of various techniques to bridge gaps in the Scrum approach, including burndown techniques and retrospective formats.
• Familiarity with other Agile methodologies such as XP, Kanban, and Crystal, among others.
• Proficiency in widely recognised Agile techniques: User Stories, ATDD, TDD, Continuous Integration, Continuous Testing, Pairing, Automated Testing, and Agile Games.
• Solid understanding of the technologies utilised by the team.
• Previous managerial experience is a plus.
• Excellent communication and mentoring skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams.

Why Join Our Client?

This is an incredible opportunity to make a significant impact within a forward-thinking organisation. The employer fosters a culture of innovation and values the contributions of each team member. With a commitment to professional development and personal growth, this role is perfect for a dedicated Scrum Master looking to advance their career while making a difference.

If you are ready to take on a rewarding challenge and help teams thrive in an Agile environment, this role is for you!

We use generative AI tools to support our candidate screening process. This helps us ensure a fair, consistent, and efficient experience for all applicants. Rest assured, all final decisions are made by our hiring team, and your application will be reviewed with care and attention.