AVP, Scrum Master

In today's fast-paced business landscape, the ability to adapt quickly and deliver value is paramount. Agile project management has emerged as a transformative approach to project delivery, and behind every successful Agile project, there is a dedicated team that manages the Agile framework with precision and finesse. GOI&T (Global Operations Initiatives & Technology) team has a proven track record of success, and it empowers teams to embrace change and collaborate to achieve results in their projects. The key responsibilities of the team include daily stand ups, sprint planning, sprint review, sprint retrospective and backlog refinement. While they maintain a relentless focus on improving their Agile processes and strive for excellence in project delivery, the GOI&T team can pivot quickly, responding to changing customer needs – consistently delivering value to customers.

Role Summary/Purpose:

The AVP - Scrum Master will be responsible for leading multiple Scrum/Kanban teams executing on development for Strategic Initiatives supporting Global Operations Initiatives & Technologies. This role is responsible for collaborating with Agile team members including the product owner, engineering teams, business stakeholders & ART leadership with the goal of leading innovative solutions to production as per the Digital First prioritized initiative

Essential Responsibilities:

• Lead and Manage the delivery activities of multiple scrum teams in a manner that aligns with automation strategy set by business counterparts

• Anchor and effectively apply the Agile Manifesto, SAFe core values, Lean-Agile mindset and SAFe principles to lead multiple high-performing, cross-functional agile scrum/Kanban teams as the Scrum Master

• Work with business teams to shape business requirements and provide ongoing communication through project execution.

• Ensures development stories, acceptance criteria, assumptions, and all related documentation are timely and complete, supporting development, testing, and user acceptance activities.

• Assisting product owner to create roadmaps and their dissemination to the team(s), while leading, managing, tracking, and communicating the execution of the plans and ensure that projects are completed on time.

• Communicate and facilitate effectively across diverse audiences within and outside of the Sprint Team (key stakeholders, executives).

• Work with cross-functional teams (not limited to - architects, application engineers, UX designers, and outsourced vendors) to create a holistic roadmap and planning for product delivery

• Well versed in all Scrum/SAFe ceremonies: Daily Standups, Backlog maintenance and Grooming, Sprint Planning and Review, Release Planning, Demos & Retrospectives, Scrum-of-Scrums, Inspect and Adapt event, and PI Planning.

• Manage Sprints - keeping order, process, delivery, priorities accurate and on time Keep scrum team focused on concrete priorities while keeping outside influences from disrupting the Scrum team and actively identify and remove waste and distractions

• Work with Product Owners and QA team to ensure that testing and feedback is completed in a timely manner and meeting the Sprint timelines.

• Advocate for autonomous, self-organizing, empowered, and continuously improving teams. Continuously strives to coach team and product owner to deliver higher customer satisfaction, improved velocity and delivery predictability, better system performance and enhanced ability to innovate, scale, and meet compliance requirements.

• Lead in production support prioritization with key stakeholders and identify and pursue improvements.

• Facilitate regular meetings with all relevant stakeholders and project team to discuss/share status and to track progress & health of the project.

• Perform other duties and/or special projects as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in any discipline with minimum 8+ years of overall experience or in lieu of a degree, 10+ years of overall experience.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in developing and implementing information systems.

• CSM/SAFe Certified.

• Experience in People/ Vendor management.

• Ability and flexibility to travel for business as required

Desired Characteristics:

• Ability to build & maintain relationships & partnerships with key stakeholders.

• Excellent knowledge of Agile methodologies and practices.

• Excellent verbal, written, and communication skills; able to tailor style/format to varied audiences and stakeholder needs.

• Proven leadership and effective decision-making capabilities; strong business acumen.

• Demonstrated experience in conflict resolution.

• Ability to monitor and manage critical path elements of consolidated projects & programs.

• Experience managing offshore resources; organizing and motivating large cross-functional teams.

• Experience managing projects in large banking and financial services companies.

• Experience leading Agile teams in SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) involving cross-functional team members (added advantage).

• Strong cross-functional team player with the ability to work seamlessly across a matrix organization.

• Creativity, enthusiasm and energy with a strong customer “can do” attitude and results orientation.

• Hands-on, self-motivated professional style with the ability to effectively prioritize multiple initiatives.

• Ability to understand technical requirements of projects and effectively manage resources, vendors, and test efforts.

• Desire to work in an open, collaborative, and fast-paced environment.

Grade/Level: 11

The salary range for this position is 90,000.00 - 155,000.00 USD Annual and is eligible for an annual bonus based on individual and company performance.

Actual compensation offered within the posted salary range will be based upon work experience, skill level or knowledge.

Salaries are adjusted according to market in CA, NY Metro and Seattle.

Our Way of Working:

We’re proud to offer you flexibility. At Synchrony, our way of working allows you to have the option to work from home near one of our Hubs or come into one of our offices. You will be required to commute to your nearest Hub (either virtual or physical) for in-person engagement activities such as regular business or team meetings, training and culture events. 

*Field Sales and some Commercial team roles may have varied location requirements based upon partner obligations or preferences.

Eligibility Requirements:

• You must be 18 years or older

• You must have a high school diploma or equivalent

• You must be willing to take a drug test, submit to a background investigation and submit fingerprints as part of the onboarding process

• You must be able to satisfy the requirements of Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.

• New hires (Level 4-7) must have 9 months of continuous service with the company before they are eligible to post on other roles.  Once this new hire time in position requirement is met, the associate will have a minimum 6 months’ time in position before they can post for future non-exempt roles.  Employees, level 8 or greater, must have at least 18 months’ time in position before they can post.  All internal employees must consistently meet performance expectations and have approval from your manager to post (or the approval of your manager and HR if you don’t meet the time in position or performance expectations).

Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required.  We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. 

Our Commitment:

When you join us, you’ll be part of an inclusive culture where your individual skills, experience, and voice are not only heard – but valued. Together, we’re building a future where we can all belong, connect, and turn ideals into action. More than 50% of our workforce is engaged in our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), where community and passion intersect to offer a safe space to learn and grow.

This starts when you choose to apply for a role at Synchrony. We ensure all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. We’re proud to have an award-winning culture for all. 

Reasonable Accommodation Notice:

• Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

• If you need special accommodations, please call our Career Support Line so that we can discuss your specific situation. We can be reached at 1-866-301-5627.   Representatives are available from 8am – 5pm Monday to Friday, Central Standard Time

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