Enterprise Agile Coach

As an Enterprise Agile Coach at Talworx, your primary responsibilities include coaching teams at multiple organizational levels to foster agile best practices, allowing projects to thrive in dynamic environments. You will leverage your Scrum and Kanban experience to facilitate agile ceremonies, implement scaling frameworks, and drive a culture of learning through workshops. The position also requires excellent facilitation skills to guide teams in developing their backlogs and to optimize communication across departments.

To apply for the Enterprise Agile Coach position at Talworx, you'll need 9-15 years of relevant experience, including a significant background as a Scrum Master and at least 4-6 years of agile coaching experience. An SPC certification is mandatory, while additional certifications like SAFe or ICP-ACC can be beneficial. A full-time MBA or engineering degree, along with experience in software development, is preferred to ensure you have a well-rounded understanding of agile processes.

While experience in the automotive or auto-ancillary industry is preferred for the Enterprise Agile Coach role at Talworx, it is not strictly required. The ability to adapt agile principles to diverse industry contexts is what matters most. Candidates with broader coaching and agile experience are also encouraged to apply, as your skills can transcend specific sector requirements.

The Enterprise Agile Coach at Talworx drives a learning culture by implementing interactive workshops, utilizing gamification techniques, and fostering open communication among team members. By encouraging participation and providing resources for continuous improvement, you help create an environment where knowledge sharing and personal growth are prioritized, ultimately enhancing team performance.

An Enterprise Agile Coach at Talworx should be familiar with various coaching and facilitation tools, models, and agile management software, particularly those related to product backlog management. Knowledge of popular frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, and additional scaling methods will also be beneficial, enabling you to select the right tool to address specific challenges within teams.

When faced with resistance, it’s important to understand the team's concerns through open dialogue. Empathy is key; share stories of successful agile transitions to inspire buy-in. Use individualized coaching techniques to address specific fears and gradually implement agile practices, allowing the team to see the benefits firsthand.

In a previous role, I led an agile transformation where I initiated a pilot project within a resistant team. By starting small and demonstrating early wins, I progressively gained trust. Training sessions and regular retrospectives kept everyone aligned and engaged, ultimately leading to organization-wide adoption of agile principles.

I have extensive experience with Scrum and Kanban. In a recent project, I integrated Kanban to visualize work progress among teams, which improved flow and reduced cycle times. I also implemented Scrum in cross-functional teams, facilitating Scrum ceremonies and coaching product owners to better manage backlogs, resulting in enhanced collaboration and delivery.

To measure an agile team's success, I utilize various metrics, including velocity, sprint burndown, and customer feedback. I believe qualitative measures, such as team satisfaction and collaboration, are equally important. Regular retrospectives also provide opportunities to assess and reflect on team dynamics and performance, leading to continuous improvement.

Communication is fundamental to agile coaching; it fosters trust and transparency. I emphasize open channels of communication among stakeholders. By ensuring that team members feel valued and heard, alignment on goals and objectives is often realized, and misunderstandings are minimized, leading to smoother project execution.

For teams new to agile, I provide introductory training sessions that cover the basics of agile methodologies. I include interactive workshops that allow team members to practice agile ceremonies, such as sprint planning and retrospectives. Tailoring training to specific team needs helps instill ownership and interest in agile principles.

I view feedback as a vital tool in the coaching process. I encourage teams to provide feedback during retrospectives and conduct one-on-one sessions to gather insights on coaching effectiveness. This approach not only enhances my coaching methods but also demonstrates to the team that their opinions are valued, contributing to a culture of continuous improvement.

One common challenge I've faced is overcoming entrenched management mindsets resistant to change. By providing data-driven evidence of agile benefits and involving leadership early in the transformation process, I've successfully navigated these roadblocks and encouraged a shift toward an agile mindset across the organization.

I assess each team's unique dynamics, maturity level, and composition before tailoring my coaching approach. Understanding the challenges they face allows me to adjust the tactics I use, whether through direct coaching, workshops, or facilitating discussions, ensuring each team receives guidance that meets their specific needs.

Scalability is crucial in agile coaching because as organizations grow, their structures and challenges become more complex. I prioritize understanding scaling frameworks such as SAFe to implement consistent agile practices across various teams and departments, ensuring alignment and coordination in product delivery across the organization.