Senior Scrum Master

Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life-changing science to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges.

We have an exciting new opportunity for a Senior Scrum Master to join the team on a 18 month contract at Wellcome Sanger Institute. The role is initially a fixed-term position, with the potential for extension based on performance and impact on Agile transformation.

You will lead by example and facilitate the growth and development of Agile practices across IDS, promoting agile ways of working among stakeholders.

About the Role:

You will play a crucial role in spearheading the Agile transformation journey, enhancing organizational agility by implementing and championing Agile practices. Operating under the strategic guidance of the Head of Agile Change Delivery, this role ensures that Agile practices align with IDS’s broader transformation goals. As a strategic and hands-on leader, the Senior Scrum Master is instrumental in creating a self-organizing, transparent, and continuously improving environment across all IDS teams.

You will be involved in navigating the intricate organisational dynamics in IDS, where aligning diverse stakeholder expectations and tailoring Agile practices to varied team needs present significant challenges.

You will be effectively managing the adoption and optimization of tools like Monday.com to enhance Agile workflows, requiring both technical acumen and change management skills. Additionally, you must continuously engage teams in the Agile transformation journey, developing and delivering tailored training programs that meet evolving organizational needs.

This role demands persistent efforts to maintain momentum and foster an environment of continuous improvement, which includes identifying and empowering team-level Agile champions, regularly communicating progress to stakeholders, and strategically allocating resources.

About You:

You will play a crucial role in spearheading the Agile transformation journey, enhancing organizational agility by implementing and championing Agile practices. Operating under the strategic guidance of the Head of Agile Change Delivery, this role ensures that Agile practices align with IDS’s broader transformation goals. As a strategic and hands-on leader, the Senior Scrum Master is instrumental in creating a self-organizing, transparent, and continuously improving environment across all IDS teams.

Essential Technical Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field
• Certified Scrum Master (CSM) or similar Agile certification
• Proven experience in a Scrum Master or Agile Coach role
• Proven experience leading Agile transformations initiatives across large, complex organizations
• Prior experience in a role that required liaising with multiple stakeholder groups across different departments
• Demonstrable experience with Agile project management tools such as JIRA, Confluence, or Monday.com

EssentialCompetencies and Behaviours:

• Strong leadership and team facilitation skills to lead and motivate teams
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage and align diverse groups and interests
• High adaptability and problem-solving skills to navigate organizational complexities and promote Agile best practices
• Ability to design and implement effective project management strategies and improve operational efficiencies
• Proficiency in using Agile methodologies such as Scrum, Kanban, Lean, or SAFe to drive business results
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities

About Us:

The Agile Change Delivery Team are tasked with managing large and complex programs and projects that support outsourced and bundled operational services. With specialized expertise in Project Management, IT Business Analysis, Solutions Architecture, and Agile guidance and coaching within IDS (Informatics and Digital Solutions), the team plays a pivotal role in enhancing project delivery and operational efficiencies. Their efforts ensure that strategic initiatives align with the institute’s broader objectives, fostering innovation and driving excellence across various scientific programs.

Application Process: 

Please apply with your CV and a Cover letter outlining how you meet the skills set out above.

Other Information:

​We operate a hybrid working pattern with the requirement of a minimum 2 - 3 days working onsite.

Salary range: £53,516 to £64,000

Contract length: 18 months

Closing date: 16th June 2024

Hybrid Working at Wellcome Sanger:

We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with the following staff networks, LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others.

We want our people to be whoever they want to be because we believe people who bring their best selves to work, do their best work. That’s why we’re committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.

Our Benefits:

We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute.

Sanger Institute became a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative In March 2018.  The Technician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.

Every year the Wellcome Sanger Institute supports the visits of dozens of overseas researchers from across the globe to the Genome campus to collaborate, share insights and to undertake ground-breaking scientific research. Our reliable in-house service provides expert advice and guidance to support current and prospective staff, and visitors at various points of their journey. We are able to provide guidance through your entire journey, from initial visa application through to extensions and applications of Indefinite Leave to Remain, the service is proud to support your personal applications and those of your dependants and family members. 

For more information about our immigration service visit: https://www.sanger.ac.uk/about/careers/global-mobility-and-immigration-service/