Senior Scrum Master / Agile Coach - job 1 of 2

As a Senior Scrum Master / Agile Coach at Miratech, your primary responsibility is to lead Agile squads in delivering user stories and features that create business value. You'll support teams in adopting Agile practices, manage sprint and PI planning, and collaborate closely with Product Managers to ensure backlog prioritization aligns with business objectives. Additionally, you will foster continuous improvement, empower teams towards self-sufficiency, and drive metrics for informed decision-making.

To be considered for the Senior Scrum Master / Agile Coach role at Miratech, you should have at least 6 years of experience with Agile frameworks such as Scrum and Kanban, along with 3 years of leading large-scale transformation programs. Experience in financial, investment, or asset management domains is crucial, along with a strong understanding of the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Proven experience in coaching Product Owners and leveraging metrics for process improvement will also be beneficial.

At Miratech, our culture of Relentless Performance supports the role of a Senior Scrum Master / Agile Coach by fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment. With a commitment to social sustainability and diversity, our teams enjoy open communication, regular team-building events, and a growth mindset. You'll have access to professional development opportunities, such as certification programs and mentorship, empowering you to thrive in your role while also driving the organization’s success.

Miratech values a growth mindset, providing extensive opportunities for professional development for Senior Scrum Masters / Agile Coaches. This includes access to certification programs, mentorship initiatives, and a commitment to internal mobility. Employees can also explore internship opportunities and attend workshops aimed at enhancing their skills in Agile methodologies, thereby contributing to their career advancement within the organization.

The Work From Anywhere culture at Miratech means that as a Senior Scrum Master / Agile Coach, you will have the flexibility to work remotely while still being a key player in high-impact projects. This allows you to maintain a healthy work-life balance, which is essential for fostering creativity and productivity. You'll collaborate with a global team and engage in virtual meetings to drive Agile initiatives forward, regardless of your location.

To lead a newly formed Agile team, I would start by fostering a culture of trust and open communication. I'd conduct a kickoff meeting to understand each member's strengths and set clear expectations. In this initial phase, I'd also introduce Agile principles and practices, ensuring everyone understands the Scrum framework. Continuous feedback loops and iterative improvements would be central to my approach.

In my previous roles, I facilitated sprint planning by ensuring all team members understood the goals and objectives for the upcoming sprint. I emphasized the importance of collective commitment to the sprint backlog and encouraged discussions around user stories. By leveraging metrics to prioritize items based on business value, I helped align the team’s efforts effectively.

When handling team conflicts, I focus on fostering open dialogue and ensuring that everyone feels heard. I encourage team members to express their viewpoints in a safe environment, facilitating a discussion where all perspectives are considered. If necessary, I guide the team in reaching a compromise that aligns with our project goals and maintains a positive team dynamic.

Measuring the success of an Agile team encompasses various metrics, including velocity, team satisfaction, and the quality of deliverables. I assess sprint outcomes against stated goals, take periodic pulse checks through surveys, and encourage feedback discussions to measure team engagement. The ultimate success is reflected in the value delivered to stakeholders and the continuous improvement of team processes.

I have extensive experience coaching Product Owners on backlog management, focusing on eliciting requirements, prioritizing user stories effectively, and writing clear acceptance criteria. I work closely with them to understand stakeholder needs and align backlogs with business objectives. Through regular backlog grooming sessions, I facilitate discussions to ensure both technical and business perspectives are considered.

Fostering a culture of continuous improvement involves implementing techniques such as retrospectives, where teams can reflect on what went well and what could be improved. I encourage experiments and provide a safe space for team members to suggest new ideas. Additionally, I leverage metrics to identify areas for improvement and engage teams in setting achievable goals for the next iteration.

In situations where a team member is not meeting their commitments, I would first seek to understand the underlying issues through a one-on-one conversation. It is important to listen actively and identify any obstacles they may be facing. Depending on the outcome, I would then work together to develop an action plan, which may include adjusting workload, providing support, or setting clearer expectations to facilitate accountability.

In a previous role, I successfully integrated Agile practices into a traditionally structured team by first securing buy-in from leadership and demonstrating value through pilot sprints. I trained the team on Agile principles, tailored frameworks to fit their context, and encouraged gradual adoption by starting with Scrum ceremonies. Over time, we refined our approach based on lessons learned, leading to improved collaboration and delivery.

Metrics play a critical role in managing Agile teams, as they provide objective data to gauge team performance and identify areas for improvement. I utilize metrics like velocity, lead time, and cycle time to inform decision-making and prioritize enhancements. Moreover, I encourage teams to reflect on metrics during retrospectives, using them as discussion points for identifying insights and innovation opportunities.

Ensuring alignment between product goals and team activities starts with regular collaboration with Product Managers and stakeholders. I ensure that the team regularly shares updates on their progress, and I facilitate alignment sessions to revisit priorities and validate that our efforts are contributing to overarching business objectives. Consistent and transparent communication is essential to maintain this alignment.