Agile Coach

Title: Agile Coach
Location: Vienna, Virginia (Hybrid) 3 days a week. 
Duration: Initial 6 Month Contract with Extensions
Compensation: $60-65/HR
Work Requirements: , Holders or Authorized to Work in the US


To coach, train and mentor employees at all levels of the organization on Agile principles. Cultivate Agile mindset by demonstrating and teaching values of the Agile Manifesto as well as the technical skills that form the underlying principles and methods. Ensure Agile values, ways of working and frameworks are understood and applied effectively across the organization and teams. Use subject matter expertise to coach new and existing teams on practices, and influence leadership and associates on the culture change required to shift from a traditional to an Agile methodology. Work is performed under limited supervision
 

• Teach, lead, and mentor cross-functional business groups to build, sustain, and strengthen Agile values, SAFe and scrum concepts and practices, providing them the necessary tools and guidance to successfully implement across high-impact programs throughout the enterprise
• Identify and coach Agile evangelists across the organization who can act as informal mentors/peers and continue increasing the maturity across the organization
• Coach teams in scrum tasks (e.g., sprint planning, user story mapping, estimations, daily stand ups, demos, retrospective discussions, etc.)
• Ensure Agile project metrics are being tracked and monitored for indications of potential problem areas and assist teams in identifying and implementing solutions to address the problems
• Identify need and provide as necessary structured and ad-hoc training in Agile principles and practices including Scrum, Product Ownership, and Program Management
• Collaborate with stakeholders to identify specific areas of training and coaching
• Oversee the coaching and planning of multiple high-performing Agile development teams and large-scale programs across the enterprise
• Provide coaching and mentorship to employees at all levels of the organization on Lean Agile, Agile, and SAFe, principles
• Prepare a variety of communication artifacts related to the Agile practice, progress and plans
• Develop and deliver presentations to various levels of stakeholders and facilitate working sessions to identify resolutions to impediments to continuous Agile improvement
• Effectively leverage and combine different industry standard scaling concepts to specific business problems in a manner that best supports Scaled Agile values and principles
• Provide strategic thought leadership during engagements on approaches to overcome impediments to accelerated delivery; skillfully facilitate conflict resolution with and between teams
• Foster strong spirit of communication and collaboration between teams to align program goals, deliver final products, and ensure leadership transparency to impediments and progress
• Ensure appropriate risk management and control practices are integrated into the lifecycle of Agile initiatives
• Build and maintain relationships with lines of business, team members, management, key stakeholders and/or external contacts (e.g., vendors, etc.)
• Continuously identify opportunities for improvement for implementing Agile tools and best practices

Qualifications

• Experience working in an Agile environment (e.g., Scrum, SAFe, DevOps, etc.), successfully coaching and transitioning teams, programs, and portfolios
• Experience in successful Agile transformation at scale in large enterprise organizations
• Experience with different agile methodologies (e.g., Scrum, XP, SAFe, etc.)
• Experience in coaching and developing people and teams, influencing behavior change and establishing sustainability through cultural change
• Experience in working with JIRA or Microsoft Azure Boards
• Experience in coaching and guiding teams in understanding scaled agile principles and practices
• Experience working with senior executives and proven ability to effectively communicate and influence decisions critical to adoption and implementation of Agile practice
• Experience in leading Agile training sessions, workshops, ways of working, planning sessions and creating required documentation and materials
• Experience in delivering presentations to virtual and in person teams
• Working knowledge of Agile principles and practices and the ability to transfer that knowledge at all levels across the enterprise
• Strong emotional intelligence and organizational awareness with ability to challenge organizational norms and influence decisions without formal authority
• Desired - Working knowledge of functions, philosophy, operations and organizational objectives
• Desired - SAFe Program Consultant certification
• Effective skill to work upward and across reporting lines to establish trust in order to solve common problems
• Effective skill to influence, negotiate and persuade to reach agreeable exchange and positive outcomes
• Effective skill communicating thoughts, concepts, practices effectively at all levels, adjusting as needed to a target audience
• Effective critical thinking, analytical, and problem solving skills
• Effective skill to translate technical concepts into non-technical terms
• Effective skill in motivating and uplifting team members using teaching/mentoring skills
• Effective skill building effective relationships through rapport, trust, diplomacy and tact
• Advanced verbal, interpersonal and written communication skills

Our benefits package includes:

• Comprehensive medical benefits
• Competitive pay, 401(k)
• Retirement plan
• …and much more!

 
About INSPYR Solutions:
Technology is our focus and quality is our commitment. As a national expert in delivering flexible technology and talent solutions, we strategically align industry and technical expertise with our clients’ business objectives and cultural needs. Our solutions are tailored to each client and include a wide variety of professional services, project, and talent solutions. By always striving for excellence and focusing on the human aspect of our business, we work seamlessly with our talent and clients to match the right solutions to the right opportunities. Learn more about us at inspyrsolutions.com.
 
INSPYR Solutions provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, INSPYR Solutions complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.