Scrum Master

Location
Columbia, SC.

Experience Level
Mid–Senior Level (3 or more years of experience)

Role Overview
An experienced Scrum Master is needed to guide daily activities within a state administration's division of enterprise applications. This position is responsible for facilitating and coordinating Agile Scrum processes, removing operational impediments, and driving collaboration across cross-functional teams. Working closely with product owners, technical developers, and business stakeholders, the Scrum Master ensures projects and operational sprints progress on schedule, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality. This is a 12-month fully onsite contract opportunity with a possibility of extension.

Key Responsibilities

Scrum Facilitation & Agile Ceremonies

• Facilitate and coordinate core Scrum ceremonies, including daily stand-ups, sprint planning, sprint reviews, backlog refinements, and retrospectives.
• Ensure project and development teams adhere strictly to established Scrum frameworks, Agile principles, and operational values.
• Drive continuous process improvement by leading feedback sessions, identifying delivery bottlenecks, and coaching team members.

Operational Execution & Project Management

• Collaborate with product owners and developers to manage task backlogs, resource allocations, and operational sprints.
• Monitor and manage project lifecycles using hybrid methodologies that combine Agile sprints with Waterfall project phases.
• Track, analyze, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational metrics to ensure high-quality product delivery.

Stakeholder Communication & Risk Mitigation

• Proactively identify and remove platform impediments, technical dependencies, and team blocks that threaten timeline progression.
• Communicate project status, resource constraints, operational risks, and system issues clearly to cross-functional stakeholders.
• Partner with senior leadership to align team deliverables with high-level organizational goals, budget parameters, and timelines.

Required Qualifications

• 3 or more years of professional experience serving in a Scrum Master role.
• 3 or more years of experience utilizing Azure DevOps to manage backlogs, sprints, and task tracking.
• 3 or more years of experience leading core Scrum ceremonies (such as daily stand-ups, sprint planning, backlog refinement, and retrospectives).
• 3 or more years of experience with database querying and database programming concepts.
• 3 or more years of experience utilizing standard Agile project management tools.
• 3 or more years of experience managing technical projects under hybrid methodologies (combining Agile and Waterfall frameworks).
• Verifiable Bachelor's degree (open field of study).
• Ability to pass comprehensive public sector background screenings, including criminal history, credit history, driving record, drug screening, and E-Verify checks.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Agile certifications, such as Certified Scrum Master (CSM) or Professional Scrum Master (PSM).
• Prior experience working within state or federal government technology environments.
• Experience working with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform implementations.

Core Skills & Attributes

• Strong knowledge of Agile Scrum principles, frameworks, and system optimization practices.
• Advanced problem-solving and analytical capabilities to identify and resolve team blockers.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to deliver status updates, facilitate meetings, and mentor team members.
• Exceptional leadership, coaching, and stakeholder management skills to foster a collaborative team culture.