Scrum Master/Project Manager

Job Summary :

As a Scrum Master / Project Manager , you will be responsible for guiding Agile teams through the Scrum framework while also overseeing project planning, execution, and delivery. You will ensure that projects are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with business goals. Your role will involve facilitating Scrum ceremonies, removing blockers, coaching team members on Agile best practices, and managing day-to-day project operations.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Agile Leadership (Scrum Master Responsibilities) :

• Facilitate and ensure adherence to Scrum ceremonies (Daily Stand-ups, Sprint Planning, Sprint Reviews, and Sprint Retrospectives).
• Remove impediments or blockers that hinder team progress and foster a collaborative environment.
• Coach team members on Scrum principles, Agile methodologies, and best practices to improve productivity and performance.
• Act as a servant leader, ensuring that the team has the necessary resources, support, and tools to succeed.
• Collaborate with Product Owners to ensure that the team has a clear understanding of user stories, backlog priorities, and goals.
• Track and report team velocity, sprint progress, and overall Scrum metrics to ensure continuous improvement.

2. Project Management :

• Lead the project planning process, ensuring alignment with business goals and technical capabilities.
• Develop detailed project plans, including timelines, milestones, resource allocation, and risk management strategies.
• Oversee the execution of multiple projects, ensuring timely delivery, budget adherence, and quality control.
• Coordinate with stakeholders, ensuring that expectations are met and any changes to scope, schedule, or budget are effectively communicated.
• Lead the identification and mitigation of project risks, ensuring potential obstacles are addressed before they impact delivery.
• Manage project resources and communicate with team members to ensure effective workload distribution.

3. Team Collaboration and Coordination :

• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including developers, designers, QA, and business stakeholders, to ensure smooth communication and collaboration.
• Ensure that product backlogs are well-maintained and properly prioritized with clear acceptance criteria.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and proactive problem-solving within the team.
• Act as a liaison between team members and external stakeholders, ensuring transparent communication about progress, risks, and outcomes.

4. Stakeholder Management :

• Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders regarding project status, risks, and deliverables.
• Communicate project goals, timelines, and deliverables to all relevant stakeholders, ensuring alignment and managing expectations.
• Facilitate the prioritization and adjustment of project requirements based on stakeholder feedback and evolving business needs.
• Present project updates, key metrics, and performance insights to senior management and other stakeholders.

5. Continuous Improvement :

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives within the team, using retrospectives to gather feedback and implement actionable improvements.
• Encourage the team to adopt Agile best practices, tools, and techniques to optimize workflows and enhance productivity.
• Measure and track performance metrics, helping the team to increase their delivery velocity and improve overall efficiency.

6. Risk and Issue Management :

• Identify potential risks early in the project and work with the team to develop mitigation plans.
• Proactively resolve issues, escalating when necessary, and ensuring that project timelines and deliverables are not impacted.
• Maintain and monitor project risks, issues, and dependencies, ensuring that they are effectively tracked and communicated.

Required Skills and Qualifications :

• Education : Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Experience :
  • Proven experience as a Scrum Master or Project Manager , preferably in Agile software development or IT projects.
  • Experience managing cross-functional teams in Agile or Scrum environments.
  • Strong knowledge and experience with Scrum methodologies and Agile principles.
  • Familiarity with Agile project management tools (e.g., JIRA , Trello , Azure DevOps ).
  • Strong understanding of project management methodologies (e.g., Waterfall , Agile , Hybrid ).
  • Experience with project lifecycle management from initiation to closure, ensuring successful delivery.

Preferred Skills :

• Scrum Master Certification (e.g., Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or Professional Scrum Master (PSM) ).
• PMP Certification or other project management certifications (e.g., Prince2 , PMI-ACP ).
• Experience with JIRA Agile or similar project management software for managing sprints and tracking deliverables.
• Familiarity with additional Agile frameworks such as Kanban , XP , or SAFe .
• Experience in managing distributed/remote teams .

Personal Attributes :

• Excellent communication skills , both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex ideas to non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong leadership skills , with the ability to motivate and guide teams to success.
• High attention to detail and a strong sense of ownership in project outcomes.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities and manage competing deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to overcoming challenges.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels.

Work Environment :

• The Scrum Master/Project Manager will work in a collaborative, Agile team environment, leading cross-functional teams towards successful project delivery.
• The position may involve remote work or hybrid work arrangements depending on company policies.
• Flexibility to adjust to changing project requirements, deadlines, and team dynamics.