Senior Scrum Master

Yolk Digital is seeking a Senior Scrum Master to join our client Services Australia (SA), a leading federal government agency committed to delivering world-class services to millions of Australians. In this role, you will coach and mentor agile delivery teams across a complex, multi-team environment — removing impediments, optimising backlog prioritisation with Product Owners, and driving high-performing team dynamics. You will draw on deep agile expertise to guide newly formed and existing teams on operating models and practices, while exercising strong independence and leadership to solve complex problems, manage stakeholder relationships, and keep delivery on track toward agreed goals.

Working Arrangements

Location is capital city of selected states. Other locations will not be accepted. The Labour Hire Worker is to work from the RFQ location on a full-time basis for the first 6 weeks. A hybrid WFH arrangement, usually a minimum of 3 days/week onsite, will be considered from the location identified in this RFQ, to ensure that where Labour Hire Workers need to attend the office for ad hoc/emergency reasons etc, they can do so within a reasonable travel time and distance close to their home.

Security Clearance

Baseline

Key Responsibilities

• coach teams in agile values, principles and practices and model the agile mindset
• plan, set up and facilitate agile event including daily stand-ups, sprint planning, sprint reviews and retrospectives
• assist the team to plan, understand and be accountable for achieving its goals
• anticipate and address/remove blockers/impediments that the team may encounter so the team can remain focused on its goals
• shape the design of processes and practices used by the team based on their maturity and ensure team adherence to the agreed agile process rules
• help the team manage and resolve conflicts and challenges, and play a key role in improving team cohesion, motivation, dynamics and performance
• create an environment of trust and respect where issues or concerns can be raised safely
• coach the teams and to be self-managing, self-organising and continually improving
• identify and analyse risks and opportunities in relation to goal achievement or performance,
• develop change strategies for consideration of team, and monitor outcomes
• in collaboration with the Product Owner, review and refine the product backlog, re-prioritising and re-assessing the relevance of tasks/stories
• negotiate with product owners and stakeholders to protect the team from external influences impacting their ability to meet the agreed goals
• co-ordinate with other teams as required to manage dependencies and support the team to deliver ◦ represent the team/s in meetings, and relay information from that meeting back to the team
• develop and deliver presentations, conduct rituals and events and be actively involved in communication and change activities involving stakeholders
• research agile trends, industry dynamics, frameworks and tooling to guide and improve the agency’s use of agile methodologies
• coach newer scrum masters to build capability and lead a community of practice to facilitate continued learning and capability across the agency
• make significant contribution to innovation, changes in workplace practices and business improvement
• develop and maintain stakeholder relationships and networks including representing business area at meetings and other workplace events
• research, analyse and apply problem solving skills to develop innovative solutions to meet clients’ requirements.

Essential Criteria

1. Measurement (SFIA Level 4) — Identifies and prioritises appropriate measures, scales, and targets. Supports projects, functions or teams in the development of measurement methods. Specifies base and derived measures which support agreed information needs. Specifies how to collect and store the data for each required measure. Provides guidance on collection of data. Designs reports and reporting formats.
2. 2. Methods and Tools (SFIA Level 4) — Provides advice and guidance to support the adoption of methods and tools and adherence to policies and standards. Tailors processes in line with agreed standards and evaluation of methods and tools. Reviews and improves usage and application of methods and tools.
3. 3. Organisational Facilitation (SFIA Level 5) — Facilitates workgroups to deliver defined goals and outcomes. Provides support, guidance and suggestions to workgroups and teams to learn collaborative problem solving and improve their team performance. Creates shared responsibilities and sustainable agreements with the team. Implements and improves agreed team principles, practices, processes and ceremonies. Recognises and works with the strengths and constraints of team dynamics.
4. 4. Experience & Knowledge — Minimum 5 years' experience as a Scrum Master supporting one or more multidisciplinary teams, with extensive knowledge of agile values, principles and practices; continuous delivery and product delivery lifecycle; project management methodologies; team dynamics and performance factors; tools such as Jira; and familiarity with Lean and Kanban.

Desirable Criteria

1. Employee experience: Level 4 (SFIA) - Supports assigned co-workers in areas of uncertainty, such as, organisational contacts, communication channels, processes, job expectations and manager relations.
2. Specialist advice: Level 4 (SFIA) - Provides detailed and specific advice regarding the application of their specialism to the organisation's planning and operations. Actively maintains knowledge in one or more identifiable specialisms. Recognises and identifies the boundaries of their own specialist knowledge. Where appropriate, collaborates with other specialists to ensure advice given is appropriate to the organisation's needs.

Application Instructions

Upload a one-page pitch (up to 5000 characters) in the "Response to Criteria" section of the application. Your pitch must address the Essential Criteria, and Desirable Criteria. Apply via the website:

https://yolkdigital.com.au/job-board-database/senior-scrum-master