Sr. Scrum Master

Ampcus Inc; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Ampcus Inc. in Reston, VA is looking for a qualified Sr. Scrum Master to lead multiple Agile teams and promote Lean-Agile principles. You will facilitate goal achievement, foster team dynamics, and remove barriers to enable success. Candidates should possess a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, strong knowledge of Agile methodologies, and significant experience in Scrum roles. SAFe certification is preferred. A commitment to continuous improvement and communication excellence is essential.

Qualifications

• Must perform essential duties satisfactorily.
• Skills required include effective communication and agile methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Facilitates progress towards team goals and leads team discussions.
• Supports communications and relationships with other teams.
• Eliminates impediments to team objectives.
• Exhibits Lean-Agile Leader behaviors to drive change.

Skills

Lean Agile values, principles and practices

Scrum, Kanban

Scaling frameworks like SAFe

Program success accountability

Product Ownership, DevOps, Test Automation

Excellent communication skills

Self-starter with ability to prioritize

Data organization and metrics creation

Microsoft Office and Agile tools proficiency

Change management and conflict resolution

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or related field

Job description

Ampcus Inc. is a certified global provider of a broad range of technology and business consulting services. We are in search of a highly motivated candidate to join our talented team.

Job Title: Sr. Scrum Master

Location: Reston, VA

Purpose

• Leads multiple cross functional teams, or Agile Release train (ART) guiding them on how to use Agile, Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), Scrum and Lean (e.g. Kanban) values/practices through servant leadership.
• Creates and nurtures a culture of continuous learning, growth mindset and agile maturity in teams/ART through agile practices, agile mindset, metrics, SAFe guidelines, removes blockers and partners with leadership. Exhibits and permeates the behaviors of a Lean-Agile Leader with a Lean-Agile Mindset.

Essential Functions

• 40% Facilitates the team’s progress toward team goals – The Sr. Scrum Master acts as the facilitator for many teams or as the Release Train Engineer (RTE) for a SAFe Agile release train (ART). Continuously engage in challenging the old ways of working to improve team level or ART level performance in the areas of quality, predictability, flow, velocity and other metrics defined by the enterprise. Help the team or ART focus on daily and/or Iteration Goals in the context of the current Program Increment (PI) or Release Objectives. Leads team/ART efforts in relentless improvement – Helps the team improve and take responsibility for their actions; facilitates the team retrospective. Teaches problem‑solving techniques and helps the team become better problem‑solvers for themselves. Facilitates team meetings such as Daily Stand‑up, Iteration Planning, Iteration Review, Iteration Retrospective etc. or ART level meetings such as PI planning, Scrum of Scrums, PI retrospectives etc. Ensures the Definition of Done (DoD) and other team/ART level working agreements are being followed. Facilitates discussion, decision making, and conflict resolution within the team/ART to improve team level performance and value delivery.
• 30% Supports the team’s/ART’s efforts to continuously improve communications and relationships with other teams. Takes a lead role in coordinating work with other teams to improve flow and throughput. Frequently represents the team in the Scrum of Scrums (SoS), or runs the Scrum of Scrum meeting, and/or other program level ceremonies to plan, execute, and improve the work & operating models. Helps their teams remain aware of opportunities to engage and improve larger program effectiveness. Helps their teams build effective relationships with the supporting teams like User Experience, Architecture, Shared Services etc. Supports the Product Owner and Product Management areas in their efforts to manage the backlog and guide the team while facilitating a healthy team dynamic with respect to priorities and scope.
• 15% Eliminates impediments by engaging the right stakeholders within the organization or partner organizations. The Sr. Scrum Master supports the team/ART in addressing and eliminating these issues to improve the likelihood of achieving the objectives of the Iteration or PI. Assists with internal and external communication and improves transparency.
• 15% Exhibits and infuses the behaviors of a Lean-Agile Leader to nurture a Lean-Agile Mindset in the team, leadership and the program. Provide input and lead initiatives to improve business agility in the team/program/enterprise. Identify and drive the culture change required to improve agility within their teams and ART’s.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Knowledge of Lean Agile values, principles and practices, Advanced.
• Knowledge of Lean agile frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, Expert.
• Knowledge of Scaling frameworks like SAFe, Advanced.
• Demonstrate strong and clear accountability for program success, Expert.
• Knowledge of Product Ownership, DevOps, Test Automation practices etc., Advanced.
• Excellent communication skills written and oral, Advanced.
• Self-starter with ability to prioritize work while meeting multiple deadlines, Expert.
• Ability to organize data and create metrics/reports/dashboards, Expert.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs and industry standard Agile tools, Advanced.
• Ability to drive change at different levels, manage conflicts constructively, Advanced.

Qualifications

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
• The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Scrum Master on a SAFe Agile Release train.
• Leading Change and continuous improvement, working with a cross functional team by applying lean agile methods.
• Experience doing value stream mapping, system level optimizations etc. applying Theory of Constraints and other Lean techniques.

Education Level

• Bachelor's Degree.

Education Details

• Business Administration or related field.

Licenses/Certifications

• SAFe Scrum Master Certification Upon Hire Preferred.
• Certified Scrum Master (CSP) Upon Hire Required.
• Certified SAFe Release Train Engineer Preferred.
• Certified Scrum Professional Preferred.

Experience

• 8 years or equivalent in the use of Lean, Agile methodologies including three plus years as Scrum Master or Kanban lead. Proven success leading multiple Agile teams to agile maturity and improved customer outcomes.

In Lieu of Education

• In lieu of a Bachelor's degree, an additional 4 years of relevant work experience is required in addition to the required work experience.

Ampcus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veterans or individuals with disabilities.