Scrum Master

Role Overview:

We are looking for a Senior Scrum Master who understands the unique challenges and uncertainties associated with data analytics work and can effectively navigate through ambiguity. This role requires a strong focus on mindset and collaborative problem-solving rather than adherence to a single framework or methodology. The ideal candidate will be a trusted advisor and consultant, skilled at designing customized solutions that align with the needs of our data analytics team and business objectives, and continuously refining and optimizing internal processes.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Facilitation and Coaching:Guide teams through the complexities of data analytics projects, helping them navigate uncertainty and ambiguity by fostering an environment of continuous learning and adaptability.
2. Provide hands-on coaching and mentorship to team members of varied experience levels, ensuring they develop a strong Agile mindset and can adapt to changes effectively.
3. Work closely with Product Owners and stakeholders to ensure that product goals and user stories are well-defined, understood, and aligned with business outcomes.
4. Facilitate Agile ceremonies (e.g., Daily Standups, Sprint Planning, Sprint Reviews, Retrospectives) when appropriate, ensuring that they are efficient, valuable, and promote collaboration.
5. Customized Solutions and Flexibility:Act as a consultant who can design solutions tailored to the team's needs, which may extend beyond traditional Agile frameworks like Scrum or Kanban.
6. Avoid a “one-size-fits-all” approach and, instead, recommend practices that best align with the team’s current state and business goals, whether they are hybrid models, Lean practices, or other methods.
7. Continuously assess and adapt the processes used by the team to optimize delivery, removing impediments and addressing challenges as they arise.
8. Process Improvement and Optimization:Continuously evaluate team performance and identify areas for improvement, suggesting changes that can streamline workflows and improve delivery efficiency.
9. Collaborate with leadership to design and implement process improvements that align with organizational goals, focusing on the end-to-end delivery of data-driven insights.
10. Leverage data-driven metrics to monitor team progress and outcomes, using insights to drive continuous improvement and enhance team productivity.
11. Collaboration and Stakeholder Management:Act as a bridge between teams in the US and India, ensuring smooth communication, cultural sensitivity, and a collaborative spirit across time zones.
12. Engage with stakeholders at all levels, providing clear communication around project status, impediments, and potential risks, while building strong trust-based relationships.
13. Foster a culture of accountability and ownership, encouraging teams to take initiative and align their work with the broader goals of the organization.
14. Communication and Influence:Clearly articulate the vision, goals, and progress of projects, ensuring all team members and stakeholders understand the “what” and the “why” behind decisions.
15. Use influence and negotiation skills to drive alignment among stakeholders and team members, helping to navigate competing priorities and complex decision-making.
16. Support the onboarding of new team members and provide training sessions as needed, ensuring smooth integration into the team’s workflow and Agile practices.
17. JIRA and Confluence Management (Nice to Have):Utilize JIRA and Confluence for effective project tracking and documentation, with the ability to manage workflows, boards, and automation rules.
18. Provide guidance on JIRA best practices, helping the team leverage the tool for optimal visibility and progress tracking.
19. Proactively seek opportunities to learn new functionalities and improve existing configurations in JIRA to support evolving team needs.

External Skills And Expertise

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business, or a related field. Advanced degree is a plus.
• 5+ years of experience as a Scrum Master, and with a minimum of 6 to 7 years in Data Engineering /Data Analytics Projects  .
• Proven experience in coaching teams in Agile methodologies (e.g., Scrum, Kanban, SAFe) with a focus on flexibility and tailored solutions.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams in a data analytics environment, with a strong understanding of the unique challenges associated with data-driven projects.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to identifying and addressing team challenges.
• Ability to influence without authority and drive organizational change.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex concepts for diverse audiences.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PSM II or PMI ACP / SAFe Scrum Master (SSM) certification.
• Experience with JIRA and Confluence, including project administration and automation capabilities.
• Knowledge of data analytics tools and processes, including familiarity with data pipelines, ETL processes, and visualization tools.
• Experience in design thinking or lean methodologies to drive innovative solutions.

Key Attributes:

• Adaptable and Open-Minded: Comfortable with ambiguity and able to adjust approaches based on the context and needs of the team.
• Consultative Approach: Ability to serve as a trusted advisor, providing solutions that align with the organization's specific challenges and opportunities.
• Collaborative Leader: Skilled at bringing people together, building consensus, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Customer-Focused: Always prioritizes delivering value to the end-users and stakeholders, ensuring that teams are aligned with the broader goals of the organization.