Job Abstract

From strategy to execution, the Government & Public Sector (GPS) practice of Ernst & Young LLP provides a full range of consulting and audit services to help our Federal, State, Local and Education clients implement new ideas to help achieve their mission outcomes. We deliver real change and measurable results through our diverse, high-performing teams, quality work at the highest professional standards, operational know-how from across our global organization, and creative and bold ideas that drive innovation. We enable our government clients to achieve their mission of protecting the nation and serving the people; increasing public safety; improving healthcare for our military, veterans, and citizens; delivering essential public services; and helping those in need. EY is ready to help our government build a better working world. 

Our GPS Technology Organization is a structure within the US GPS practice that implements and maintains a new operate and technology model designed specifically to support U.S. Defense and Government engagements.

The opportunity

As the GPS Scrum Master, you will be a key member providing Agile and Project management expertise and manage the delivery of part of a large project or multiple small to medium projects, acting independently to deliver project to schedule, budget and scope.  You will manage multiple Agile teams facilitating team events with a focus on delivering value. You will maintain project plans, monitor costs, manage project risks, and create clear and attainable milestones, adjusting the project plan as required to successfully deliver project objectives.  You will ensure the project follows established client and specific processes including Statement of Work (SoW), Installation Guides, Staging Guides, etc. You will support the team on project deliverables and ensure project deliverables are signed off by Program Manager and/or Director.

Your key responsibilities

• Successfully execute projects to agreed schedule, budget and scope using Agile methodologies (SAFe Agile, DevOps, Scrum); Develop detailed scope/budget/schedule baseline.
• Exhibits the behaviours of an Agile Leader with an Agile Mindset.
• Facilitates Agile ceremonies such as Daily Stand up, Iteration Planning, System Demos, and Iteration Retrospective.
• Supports the Agile Product Owner/Business Analyst to manage the backlog and guide the team while facilitating a healthy intra-team dynamic with respect to priorities and scope.
• Assists with Program Increment Planning with the development of the team’s PI objectives and pre-planning activities.
• Applies Lean-Agile practices, such built-in quality, Kanban, continuous integration, and continuous deployment.
• Participates in the development of RFP/RFI process.
• Challenge the old norms of development to improve performance in the areas of quality, predictability, flow, and velocity.
• Monitor and control work to ensure the project remains on track and in control. Manage project work and resources to enable successful and timely completion of the project.
• Removes impediments so the team can focus on the work at hand and follow Agile practices
• Proactively identify risks and issues on projects; lead project teams to develop risk management and issue management plans.
• Focus on ever-improving team dynamics and performance. Helps the team manage interpersonal conflicts, challenges, and opportunities for growth. Escalates people problems to management where necessary.
• Communicates with management and outside stakeholders. Helps protect the team from uncontrolled injection of work.
• Enables close cooperation across all roles and functions; addresses resource issues and deviation from Agile practices.
• Ensures appropriate involvement of external teams such as other vendor providers / partners on the project.

Skills and attributes for success

• Strong experience using Microsoft Azure DevOps (ADO) for work management. JIRA experience is acceptable but experience with MS ADO preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Project Management Processes/ Project Controls.
• Ability to create tools/ independent spreadsheets to help analyze burn rate/ earned value/ earnings variances and cash projections.

To qualify for the role, you must have

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, IT, Science, other technical qualification
• Ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret Security Clearance level.
• 5-7+ years in a corporate IT environment.
• 3+ years of experience in Scrum Master, Agile Lead or similar role managing complex projects.
• Certified Scrum Master (CSM) and/or SAFe-certified.
• Considered an expert in Scrum Master Function.
• Demonstrable experience in the definition of Scrum Master Standards, Processes and Procedures
• Experience creating, executing, and amending project plans
• Experience applying formal project management methodologies and disciplines to manage small projects.
• Proven experience using, interpreting, and making recommendations from financial data.
• Demonstrates understanding of scope, schedule and planning; understanding of time management, resource management cost management. Possesses good project management skills.

Ideally, you’ll also have

• Certified Associate in project management (CAPM) / PMBOK / PRINCE 2 / Project Management Professional (PMP)
• CSP
• Program Management Professional (PgMP)
• 6 sigma certification
• Experience managing projects with Federal security requirements and assessments.
• Experience or familiarity with NIST framework and standards.

What we look for

• A self-starter, independent-thinker, curious and creative person with ambition and passion
• History of continuous learning and continuous progression

• Continuous learning: You’ll develop the mindset and skills to navigate whatever comes next.
• Success as defined by you: We’ll provide the tools and flexibility, so you can make a meaningful impact, your way.
• Transformative leadership: We’ll give you the insights, coaching and confidence to be the leader the world needs.
• Diverse and inclusive culture: You’ll be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs.