Lead Agilist

Job#: 2071735

Job Description:

Job Title: Lead Agilist

Location: 4 days onsite - downtown Cincinnati, OH

Type 1y+ contract

General Function: Lead Agilists bring at least 5 years of full-time business experience and at least 3 years of Scrum experience. After training in Agile, Scrum, and Scrum Mastering, they support Agile Squads to ensure they understand and apply Agile and Scrum values and principles. They use observation skills to determine Squad needs and intervene based on those needs. Lead Agilists promote the growth of every team member, craft messages, and leverage powerful questions to prompt creative problem identification and solving. They facilitate neutral discussions to help teams decide the best course and keep them focused on delivering business value.

Lead Agilists embody agility using a servant leadership approach and lead by example while guiding their Squads on the application of the Scrum Framework. They build trusting environments where problems can be discussed and solved collaboratively. They facilitate Scrum events and activities as necessary and ensure the team realizes value from them (including Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, Retrospective, and Backlog Refinement). Lead Agilists coach the Product Owner and Development Team in effective Product Backlog management to ensure a common understanding of what is to be delivered, why it needs to be delivered, and what success looks like. They coach Agile Squads in self-organization, continuous improvement, cross-functionality, risk identification, dependency management, conflict resolution, and software craftsmanship. They encourage Squads to solve their own problems with Agile mindsets, performance, and team dynamics. They also coach others in the organization regarding Agile practices and the impacts of actions on the team and its self-organization.

A Lead Agilist possesses a learning mindset and helps Agile Squads continuously improve their interactions, practices, and processes through valuable inspect and adapt practices using data from feedback loops, metrics, and other information radiators. They identify opportunities for improvement outside of traditional inspect and adapt practices by leveraging a basic understanding of technologies and techniques in DevOps, pipeline automation, testing frameworks, etc. They leverage concepts from other Agile frameworks and working practices outside of Scrum to help Squads grow and succeed. They model collaborative, courageous, and open behavior, and a willingness to learn and grow continuously for the Agile Squads and the organization.

Lead Agilists and Agile Squads are responsible and accountable for identifying risks by openly exchanging ideas and opinions and elevating concerns. They follow policies and procedures as defined and are accountable for always doing the right thing for customers and colleagues. Lead Agilists and Agile Squads ensure their actions and behaviors drive a positive customer experience. While operating within the Banks risk appetite, Lead Agilists achieve results by consistently identifying, assessing, managing, monitoring, and reporting risks of all types.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Solid understanding of the Scrum Framework and principles of agility.
• Understand how to build high-performing teams that utilize inspect and adapt loops to continuously learn and improve.
• Use empirical data collection to benefit the team and organization.
• Critical and creative problem-solving skills.
• Present, teach, mentor, and facilitate at multiple levels of the organization, particularly within a team environment.
• Collaborate with other team members; value team success over individual success.
• Continuous learning regarding Agile, Scrum, coaching, facilitating, emotional intelligence, team dynamics, and listening for self and team.
• Understand all software lifecycle development disciplines: Project Management, Requirements Management, Analysis & Design, Quality Assurance & Testing, Implementation, Deployment, Configuration & Change Management.
• Working knowledge of practices that support agility (Continuous Integration, Continuous Deployment, Test Driven Development, Automated Test-Driven Development, etc.).
• Working knowledge of other Agile frameworks and ways of working (Kanban, Scrumban, XP, Mob programming, etc.).
• Understand priorities and goal setting for teams and organizations in an agile business environment.
• Leadership skills, specifically leading by example (servant leader) and displaying behaviors that demonstrate the key mindset shifts associated with becoming agile.
• Apply multiple approaches to the removal of Agile Squad impediments (e.g., cultural barriers, logistic challenges, coordination with other Agile Squads and teams), where possible.
• When needed, escalate Agile Squad impediments to appropriate organizational entities.
• Facilitate communication, cooperation, and collaboration inside and outside the Agile Squad, including the Agile Center.
• Work to improve the effectiveness of all roles within the Agile Squad.
• Shield Agile Squad from external requests and interference to ensure the Agile Squad is fully functional and productive.
• Foster self-organization, learning, and growth within the Agile Squad.
• Build a trusting and safe environment where problems can be raised without fear.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• 5+ years of full-time business experience.
• 3+ years of Scrum experience.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Experience presenting, teaching, mentoring, and facilitating at multiple levels of the organization, particularly within a team environment.
• Experience communicating and removing impediments outside of the team.
• Coaching skills with the ability to communicate complex messages and teach new concepts.
• Ability to resolve interpersonal and organizational conflicts; strong mediator.
• Active coach and mentor whose goal is to grow and maximize potential.
• High-energy and passion for building strong teams.
• Ability to build a sense of trust and rapport that creates a sustainable and effective workplace.
• Ability to promote innovative thinking and self-improvement.
• Bachelors degree in Business, Computer Science, Engineering, or a directly related field, or equivalent work experience.

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 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.

Employers have access to artificial intelligence language tools (“AI”) that help generate and enhance job descriptions and AI may have been used to create this description. The position description has been reviewed for accuracy and Dice believes it to correctly reflect the job opportunity.

Job#: 2071735

Job Description:

Job Title: Lead Agilist

Location: 4 days onsite - downtown Cincinnati, OH

Type 1y+ contract

General Function: Lead Agilists bring at least 5 years of full-time business experience and at least 3 years of Scrum experience. After training in Agile, Scrum, and Scrum Mastering, they support Agile Squads to ensure they understand and apply Agile and Scrum values and principles. They use observation skills to determine Squad needs and intervene based on those needs. Lead Agilists promote the growth of every team member, craft messages, and leverage powerful questions to prompt creative problem identification and solving. They facilitate neutral discussions to help teams decide the best course and keep them focused on delivering business value.

Lead Agilists embody agility using a servant leadership approach and lead by example while guiding their Squads on the application of the Scrum Framework. They build trusting environments where problems can be discussed and solved collaboratively. They facilitate Scrum events and activities as necessary and ensure the team realizes value from them (including Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, Retrospective, and Backlog Refinement). Lead Agilists coach the Product Owner and Development Team in effective Product Backlog management to ensure a common understanding of what is to be delivered, why it needs to be delivered, and what success looks like. They coach Agile Squads in self-organization, continuous improvement, cross-functionality, risk identification, dependency management, conflict resolution, and software craftsmanship. They encourage Squads to solve their own problems with Agile mindsets, performance, and team dynamics. They also coach others in the organization regarding Agile practices and the impacts of actions on the team and its self-organization.

A Lead Agilist possesses a learning mindset and helps Agile Squads continuously improve their interactions, practices, and processes through valuable inspect and adapt practices using data from feedback loops, metrics, and other information radiators. They identify opportunities for improvement outside of traditional inspect and adapt practices by leveraging a basic understanding of technologies and techniques in DevOps, pipeline automation, testing frameworks, etc. They leverage concepts from other Agile frameworks and working practices outside of Scrum to help Squads grow and succeed. They model collaborative, courageous, and open behavior, and a willingness to learn and grow continuously for the Agile Squads and the organization.

Lead Agilists and Agile Squads are responsible and accountable for identifying risks by openly exchanging ideas and opinions and elevating concerns. They follow policies and procedures as defined and are accountable for always doing the right thing for customers and colleagues. Lead Agilists and Agile Squads ensure their actions and behaviors drive a positive customer experience. While operating within the Banks risk appetite, Lead Agilists achieve results by consistently identifying, assessing, managing, monitoring, and reporting risks of all types.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Solid understanding of the Scrum Framework and principles of agility.
• Understand how to build high-performing teams that utilize inspect and adapt loops to continuously learn and improve.
• Use empirical data collection to benefit the team and organization.
• Critical and creative problem-solving skills.
• Present, teach, mentor, and facilitate at multiple levels of the organization, particularly within a team environment.
• Collaborate with other team members; value team success over individual success.
• Continuous learning regarding Agile, Scrum, coaching, facilitating, emotional intelligence, team dynamics, and listening for self and team.
• Understand all software lifecycle development disciplines: Project Management, Requirements Management, Analysis & Design, Quality Assurance & Testing, Implementation, Deployment, Configuration & Change Management.
• Working knowledge of practices that support agility (Continuous Integration, Continuous Deployment, Test Driven Development, Automated Test-Driven Development, etc.).
• Working knowledge of other Agile frameworks and ways of working (Kanban, Scrumban, XP, Mob programming, etc.).
• Understand priorities and goal setting for teams and organizations in an agile business environment.
• Leadership skills, specifically leading by example (servant leader) and displaying behaviors that demonstrate the key mindset shifts associated with becoming agile.
• Apply multiple approaches to the removal of Agile Squad impediments (e.g., cultural barriers, logistic challenges, coordination with other Agile Squads and teams), where possible.
• When needed, escalate Agile Squad impediments to appropriate organizational entities.
• Facilitate communication, cooperation, and collaboration inside and outside the Agile Squad, including the Agile Center.
• Work to improve the effectiveness of all roles within the Agile Squad.
• Shield Agile Squad from external requests and interference to ensure the Agile Squad is fully functional and productive.
• Foster self-organization, learning, and growth within the Agile Squad.
• Build a trusting and safe environment where problems can be raised without fear.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• 5+ years of full-time business experience.
• 3+ years of Scrum experience.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Experience presenting, teaching, mentoring, and facilitating at multiple levels of the organization, particularly within a team environment.
• Experience communicating and removing impediments outside of the team.
• Coaching skills with the ability to communicate complex messages and teach new concepts.
• Ability to resolve interpersonal and organizational conflicts; strong mediator.
• Active coach and mentor whose goal is to grow and maximize potential.
• High-energy and passion for building strong teams.
• Ability to build a sense of trust and rapport that creates a sustainable and effective workplace.
• Ability to promote innovative thinking and self-improvement.
• Bachelors degree in Business, Computer Science, Engineering, or a directly related field, or equivalent work experience.

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 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.

Employers have access to artificial intelligence language tools (“AI”) that help generate and enhance job descriptions and AI may have been used to create this description. The position description has been reviewed for accuracy and Dice believes it to correctly reflect the job opportunity.