Scrum Master - NC, IA, AZ

Job#: 3025131

Job Description:

Client: Financial Services

Team: TBA

Job Title: Scrum Master 4

Location: Zone 2

Contract Length: Not specified

Pay Rate: $110.00/hour (OT40)
Top Requirements:

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

Lead-level Scrum Master capability - must hit the ground running.

Expert proficiency in Jira - dashboards, automation, impediment backlog, reporting, flow metrics.

Strong ability to coach Agile teams, Product Owners, and Engineering partners.

Proven ability to guide teams on DoR/DoD, acceptance criteria validation, and effective work breakdown.

Strong facilitation skills for ceremonies, conflict resolution, and cross-team dependency management.

Plusses:

Background in data-driven Agile coaching and maturity assessments.

Experience "manipulating through influence" (education or training-based coaching background).

Ability to design and deliver coaching plans with measurable maturity improvements.

Experience managing scope, dependencies, and unplanned work in complex environments.

Job Summary:

This contingent Scrum Master serves as a Lead-level Agile expert, responsible for driving team performance, coaching Agile behaviors, and ensuring strong delivery outcomes across complex initiatives.

The role requires deep knowledge of Agile frameworks, strong Jira proficiency, and the ability to manage multi-team dependencies while maintaining focus, flow, and predictable delivery.

The Scrum Master will lead ceremonies, coach cross-functional partners, drive continuous improvement, and proactively manage risks, impediments, and scope changes.

This is a leadership role requiring strong judgment, communication skills, and the ability to influence Product, Engineering, and leadership stakeholders.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities:

• Lead all Agile ceremonies with clarity, purpose, and measurable outcomes.
• Coach teams, Product Owners, and engineering partners on Agile practices, maturity, flow, and delivery behaviors.
• Maintain deep understanding of the team backlog, priorities, risk areas, and value delivered.
• Protect team focus by managing dependencies, scope creep, and unplanned work.
• Use Agile metrics (cycle time, throughput, WIP, rollover) to drive continuous improvement.
• Create Jira dashboards and automation to visualize performance trends.
• Conduct monthly team maturity assessments and maintain coaching plans with measurable goals.
• Resolve team conflicts within one sprint using facilitation and alignment techniques.
• Review sprint goals, acceptance criteria, and DoR/DoD adherence to ensure predictability.
• Identify impediments within 24 hours, track them in Jira, and drive resolution within the sprint.
• Meet monthly (minimum) with Product and Engineering partners to discuss maturity, metrics, and improvement opportunities.
• Provide real-time targeted coaching to improve flow, quality, and delivery accuracy.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to manage multi-team dependencies, risks, and integration points.
• Role-model professional communication and respond to all 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.