Scrum Master 3 - NC, IA, AZ

Job#: 3025132

Job Description:

Client: Financial Services

Team: TBA

Job Title: Scrum Master 3 - Contingent (Team-Level Scrum Master)

Location: Zone 2 - Phoenix, AZ | Charlotte, NC | Des Moines, IA

Contract Length: 24mo

Pay Rate: $61-$65
Top Requirements:

4+ years of Scrum or Agile experience, or equivalent via work, consulting, military, or education.

Strong experience leading and facilitating Agile ceremonies.

Ability to coach teams, Product Owners, and Engineering partners to strengthen Agile behaviors.

Solid Jira proficiency - managing impediments, dashboards, tracking flows, automations.

Demonstrated ability to reduce scope creep, validate acceptance criteria, and ensure adherence to DoR/DoD.

Strong communication skills, ability to think creatively, and skilled at facilitating cross-team events.

Plusses:

Training or professional experience in education or coaching - "manipulating through influence."

Experience resolving team conflict quickly using facilitation methods.

Comfort presenting metrics-driven insights to partners and leadership.

Job Summary:

This contingent Scrum Master supports moderately complex Agile delivery efforts, coaching teams to improve flow, predictability, quality, and alignment.

The role requires strong facilitation, communication, and Jira expertise to help deliver consistent business outcomes while reinforcing Agile maturity.

As a team-level Scrum Master, this person leads ceremonies, manages dependencies and impediments, supports backlog alignment, and ensures the team follows Agile best practices.

The Scrum Master also collaborates with Product and Engineering partners to monitor team maturity, reduce unplanned work, improve Agile metrics, and strengthen overall delivery performance.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities:

• Lead and facilitate Agile ceremonies, ensuring clarity, focus, and predictable delivery outcomes.
• Coach the team, Product Owner, and Engineering partners on Agile practices, work habits, and delivery alignment.
• Maintain deep understanding of backlog, dependencies, and team priorities.
• Guard team focus by managing sprint goals, scope creep, and unplanned work.
• Use Agile metrics (cycle time, throughput, WIP, rollover) to drive continuous improvement.
• Create and maintain Jira dashboards; build lightweight automations; manage impediment backlog.
• Identify impediments within 24 hours; drive resolution within the sprint.
• Conduct retrospectives, coaching plans, and monthly maturity assessments.
• Facilitate conflict resolution within one sprint by applying structured techniques.
• Validate acceptance criteria, ensure effective story refinement, and ensure DoR/DoD are met.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to manage multi-team dependencies and surface risks early.
• Role-model calm communication and respond to feedback within 48 hours.

EEO Employer

Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law. If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation in using our website for a search or application, please contact our Employee Services Department at or .

Apex Systems is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico. Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click for more details.

Apex Benefits Overview: Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Apex team member can provide.