Agile Scrum Program Manager

Direct Hire (W2/USC only)

Atlanta, GA

Hybrid

Our client is seeking an Agile Scrum/Program Manager to join their team in Atlanta, GA.  This is a direct hire (USC/GC only) and is hybrid.

Job Summary:

• Will lead and coordinate multiple agile teams across complex, cross-functional programs.
• Must have deep expertise in Scrum methodology, exceptional leadership skills and the ability to deliver large-scale software initiatives on time and within scope.
• This role requires a seasoned professional who can drive continuous improvement, remove impediments, and foster a culture of collaboration and high performance.
• This role is very hands-on and offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on organizational agility and team effectiveness while working with cutting-edge development practices and technologies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain program roadmaps aligned with business objectives and stakeholder expectations.  Facilitate program-level planning sessions, including Program Increment (PI) planning and quarterly business reviews.  Identify and manage program-level dependencies, risks, and impediments across teams.  Ensure alignment between individual team objectives and overall program goals

• Champion Agile/Scrum best practices across all teams within the program. Coach Scrum Masters and team members to enhance their effectiveness. Facilitate cross-team ceremonies including Scrum of Scrums, program retrospectives, and release planning. Establish and maintain program-level metrics and reporting dashboards. Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the program.

• Serve as primary liaison between development teams and executive leadership. Conduct regular program status meetings with senior stakeholders. Prepare and present program progress reports, including burn-down charts, velocity trends, and milestone updates. Manage expectations and communicate program changes, delays, or scope adjustments. Facilitate conflict resolution between teams and stakeholders.

• As needed, supplement and lead other scrum mastersby example. Facilitate all Scrum ceremonies including daily standups, sprint planning, sprint reviews, and retrospectives. Ensure teams understand and follow Scrum principles while adapting practices to meet specific team needs. Guide teams through the estimation process and maintain sprint backlogs with product owners. Partner with DevOps, QA, and infrastructure teams to optimize delivery pipelines and share learnings.

• Remove organizational impediments that impact multiple teams. Coordinate resource allocation and capacity planning across teams. Establish communities of practice to promote knowledge sharing and standardization. Support hiring and onboarding of new team members. Foster a collaborative culture across distributed or co-located teams.

Education:  

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, Business, or related field required. Certified Scrum Master (CSM) or Advanced Certified Scrum Master (A-CSM) highly desired. Additional certifications such as SAFe, PMI-ACP, or Professional Scrum Master (PSM) preferred.

Experience:   

• Minimum 4-7 years of experience as a Scrum Master or Agile Coach, with at least two years in aa agile project/program management role highly preferred. Proven track record of successfully leading agile transformations in complex, multi-team environments required. Experience with Kanban, SAFe, LeSS, or Spotify Model is preferred.

Skills:   

• Strong understanding of software development lifecycle and technical practices required. Familiarity with DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and modern development tools required. Experience with agile project management tools, especially Jira, required. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with diverse teams. High emotional intelligence and ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics. Self-motivated with strong organizational and time management skills. Adaptable and comfortable working in fast-paced, changing environments.

Competencies:  

• Demonstrated ability to influence without authority and drive organizational change. Strong conflict resolution and problem-solving capabilities. Experience coaching and mentoring teams and individuals at various skill levels. Previous experience in software development, quality assurance, or product management roles. Knowledge of Lean principles and continuous improvement methodologies. Experience working in SaaS, transportation management or supply chain logistics industries, and/or enterprise environments preferred. Strong analytical skills with experience using metrics to drive decision-making. Experience with distributed or remote team management. Background in software engineering or technical product management.