Scrum Master

Role Purpose:

Williams Lea has a fantastic opportunity for a Scrum Master to join our Global Engineering team to lead the delivery of design, build, automate and support our core business processes that underpin our client service delivery.

The Scrum Master will work with the wider Engineering team and will be interfacing with key business stakeholders to help drive and deliver the automation initiatives and support the adoption of automation across the WL service lines. It is an exciting opportunity to work in the team and help shape Williams Leas digital transformation.

The scrum master will be responsible for overseeing and guiding scrum teams working on different projects. You will ensure that development teams follow scrum framework values and agile practices, mentor and motivate the teams to improve processes, facilitate meetings and decision-making processes, and eliminate any blockers. You will also oversee the testing element of all releases, ensuring that the test teams, test data and test scripts are all aligned for successful monthly deployments.

Key Competencies

To be successful in this role, you will possess a deep understanding of Agile principles and the Scrum Framework. You will be well-versed in Scrum values, roles, events, and artifacts.

You should possess the ability to manage multiple tasks or projects and prioritise accordingly. Have robust communications skills including the ability to interpret briefs and understand requirements and demonstrate client-focused attitude with good people skills

Excellent stakeholder management skills to manage client expectations and be able to liaise at all levels (client, team, management and IT) demonstrating effective organisational and administrative skills. You can accurately assess requirements, identify issues, make decisions, and provide solutions dealing with conflicting client requirements where necessary. Being able to effectively handle routine problems, including follow-ups, reacting appropriately, and communicating situations to Automation CoE management as required is necessary.

Key Responsibilities

This is a hands-on role and the individuals primary responsibility will be to facilitate and coach the Scrum Team, ensuring that Scrum principles are adhered to, and helping the team deliver high-quality projects within the defined sprint timelines.

Responsibilities include:

• Facilitate the Agile Scrum process and ensure adherence to Scrum principles and practices.
• Lead the team consisting of Solution Architects, Developers, and Testers working from different geographical locations to ensure end-to-end accountability is in place for the delivery of project goals.
• Lead and facilitate all Scrum ceremonies (daily stand-ups, sprint planning, sprint review, retrospective) and ensure their effectiveness.
• Facilitate transparent and effective communication between the Scrum Team and stakeholders, ensuring alignment on project goals and progress.
• Maintain and update the team's Sprint and Product Backlogs to reflect the current state of the project.
• Ensure successful project delivery by managing story tickets through the Agile process.
• Identifies, removes or guides the team to remove impediments that hinder the team's progress. working collaboratively with team members and stakeholders to resolve issues.
• Support the product owner in backlog management, prioritization, and release planning.
• Ensures work is completed according to customer priority.
• Facilitates discussions, decision-making, and mediate and facilitate conflict resolution within the team, ensuring a healthy and collaborative work environment.
• Provide support to the team using a collaborative style and leading by example.
• Shield the team from external interruptions and distractions, allowing them to focus on their work during the sprint.
• Help the team understand and use relevant metrics to track progress and make informed decisions. Generate and maintain Scrum-related metrics and reports on team performance and progress using Agile metrics and tools.
• Coach and mentor the Scrum Team in Agile and Scrum principles, helping them understand and implement best practices for collaboration, self-organization, and cross-functionality.
• Collaborate with the team to continually improve their processes and practices, helping them increase their quality, and overall performance.
• Ensure the teams adherence to security, best practices, and documentation.
• Able to juggle between project tasks based on priorities.
• Keep up to date with Agile and Scrum practices and share knowledge with the team and the organization.

Job Requirements

Essential Skills

Experience in the following technologies is required:

• Proven experience as a Scrum Master in software development projects or equivalent delivery management experience
• In-depth knowledge of Agile methodologies and Scrum framework.
• Knowledge and/or experience with widely used Agile techniques such as User Stories, TDD, Continuous Integration, and Automated testing.
• Strong understanding of software development processes and practices.
• Excellent facilitation, coaching, and mentoring skills.
• Effective communication, collaboration, and interpersonal abilities.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Experience with Agile tools and project management software.
• Ability to lead and motivate teams towards achieving project goals.
• Strong problem-solving and conflict resolution.
• 5+ years as a Scrum Master for a software development team or equivalent delivery management experience
• First-level Scrum Master Certification or willingness to work towards.

Desirable Skills

• Scrum Master certification (CSM, PSM) is highly desirable.
• Project Management Experience.
• Experience with Atlassian Jira Software
• Experience with Automation Hub.