Scrum Master

Position: Scrum Master (Contract to Hire)

Location: Newark, NJ - Hybrid (3 days week onsite)

Duration: 12 months plus

Note: Must have permanent work authorization.

W2 Only. C2C is not allowed.

Pay: up to $55hr on w2

We are seeking an experienced Scrum Master who thrives in fast-paced, dynamic environments and brings a strong background in Agile methodologies. In this role, you will partner closely with Product Owners, Tech Leads, and Architecture teams to drive the successful delivery of complex, cross-functional initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Guide Agile teams and stakeholders in the adoption and implementation of Scrum practices and values to consistently deliver customer value
• Coach teams to embrace self-organization and autonomy, supporting their Agile maturity journey
• Identify and address gaps in Agile/Scrum frameworks to improve team performance
• Assess team Scrum maturity and provide tailored coaching to improve at a sustainable pace
• Remove impediments or connect teams with the right stakeholders to resolve blockers
• Foster a safe and trusting team environment that encourages collaboration and open communication
• Facilitate collaborative work without assigning tasks or micromanaging
• Lead discussions, support decision-making, and manage conflict resolution effectively
• Promote transparency, improve communication flows, and enhance information sharing across teams
• Support Product Owners in backlog refinement and maintenance
• Embody and practice servant leadership principles
• Ensure timely delivery of software development initiatives according to project schedules
• Provide regular, proactive status reporting and identify risks related to timeline and budget

Required Qualifications

• 10 years of professional experience, including 5 years as a Scrum Master
• Strong experience leading Agile teams and managing mission-critical applications
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with engineers, cross-functional teams, and business partners
• Deep understanding of Agile principles: servant leadership, facilitation, conflict resolution, empowerment, and transparency
• Expertise in Scrum techniques and tools, including Burndown Charts, Retrospectives, and defect tracking
• Advanced proficiency in JIRA
• Familiarity with additional Agile frameworks: XP, Kanban, Crystal, FDD, JIRA Align
• Experience applying Agile engineering practices: User Stories, ATDD, TDD, Continuous Integration/Testing, Pair Programming, Automated Testing
• Solid understanding of modern development technologies
• 3 years of experience managing projects in Marketing Technology, including CMS and Marketing Automation Platforms

Preferred Qualifications

• Scrum Master Certification (CSM, PSM, or equivalent)
• Experience with SAFe and other scaled Agile methodologies
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field