Scrum Master

Job Title
Engineering Scrum Master

Risk and Control Objective
Ensure that all activities and duties are carried out in full compliance with regulatory requirements, the Enterprise Wide Risk Management Framework. Understand and manage risks and risk events (incidents) relevant to the role.

Reports to
Agile Delivery Lead / Programme Manager

Overall Job Purpose
The Engineering Scrum Master is responsible for facilitating Agile delivery within engineering teams by ensuring that Scrum practices are followed, removing impediments, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. This role supports one or more cross-functional teams in delivering high-quality software and infrastructure solutions aligned to business goals, while ensuring Agile principles and engineering excellence are upheld. The role operates within Infrastructure and Operations (ESPO), supporting Agile delivery across infrastructure products and I.T operations domains.

Key Accountabilities

Agile Delivery Facilitation

• Guide the team and organization on how to use Agile/Scrum practices and values.
• Facilitate all Scrum ceremonies (Daily Stand-ups, Sprint Planning, Reviews, and Retrospectives).
• Ensure the team is fully functional, productive, and focused on sprint goals.
• Remove impediments or guide the team to remove them.

Engineering Team Support

• Work closely with Engineering Leads to ensure technical dependencies are managed.
• Promote engineering best practices such as CI/CD, test automation, and DevOps culture.
• Support the team in achieving high levels of technical quality, performance, and team health.
• Collaborate with infrastructure engineers and operations teams to ensure alignment of technical dependencies and delivery goals.

Cross-Functional Team Management

• Coordinate and align cross-functional teams (engineering, QA, UX, DevOps, product, etc.) to ensure cohesive delivery of sprint goals.
• Foster a collaborative environment where team members from diverse disciplines work together effectively.
• Identify and resolve inter-team dependencies and blockers that impact delivery.
• Promote shared ownership of deliverables and encourage knowledge sharing across functions.
• Support team members in understanding their roles within the broader delivery ecosystem.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a servant leader and coach to the team and stakeholders.
• Facilitate collaboration between the team and external stakeholders.
• Ensure transparency of team progress through effective reporting and communication.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive a culture of continuous improvement through regular retrospectives and feedback loops.
• Encourage experimentation and innovation within the team.
• Track and improve team metrics (velocity, cycle time, etc.).

Risk and Compliance

• Ensure Agile delivery aligns with governance, risk, and compliance requirements.
• Identify and manage delivery risks and escalate where necessary.

Education and Experience Required

• Bachelors degree (NQF 7) in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 5-8 years experience in Agile delivery, with at least 3 years as a Scrum Master.
• Certified Scrum Master (CSM), SAFe Scrum Master (SSM), or equivalent Agile certification.
• Experience working with engineering and infrastructure teams in a complex, regulated environment.
• Familiarity with Agile tools (e.g., JIRA, Azure DevOps, Confluence).

Knowledge and Skills

• Deep understanding of Agile frameworks (Scrum, Kanban, SAFe).
• Strong facilitation, coaching, and mentoring skills.
• Experience in Agile metrics and reporting.
• Understanding of software development lifecycle, infrastructure domains, and engineering practices.
• Clear knowledge of Agile work item structures: Epics, Features, Stories.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across teams and levels.
• Proficiency in Azure DevOps for Agile delivery tracking and reporting.

Competencies

• Agile Mindset
• Embraces change, adapts quickly, and promotes Agile values.
• Team Leadership
• Inspires and motivates teams to achieve high performance.
• Problem Solving
• Removes blockers and fosters a solution-oriented culture.
• Customer Focus
• Ensures delivery aligns with customer needs and expectations.
• Collaboration and Influence
• Builds strong relationships and facilitates alignment.
• Innovation
• Encourages experimentation and continuous learning.
• Strategic Thinking
• Aligns team delivery with broader business objectives.