Job Title: Scrum Master

Must-Have Qualifications:

• Scrum Master certification.
• Experience working on Agile development projects.
• Demonstrated experience using Azure DevOps to manage backlogs and sprints.
• Proven experience with and knowledge of Java and Oracle-based projects.
• Experience working with IBM's Business Process Management (BPM) platform.
• Previous experience leading project teams, facilitating client and internal interactions-especially within complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications:

• Experience with the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) Modernization of Approvals platform, or similar platforms.

Context:

To support the priorities of the Government of Ontario, in alignment with Bill 5: Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025, the resource may be partially allocated to Bill 5-related initiatives, on an as-needed basis.

Scrum Master Responsibilities:

The Scrum Master will be responsible for introducing and promoting Agile development practices and will facilitate team operations to ensure the timely delivery of project milestones. The role includes managing backlogs and sprints for one or more projects within the Permission Enterprise Platform (PEP).

General Responsibilities:

• Lead organizational development, strategic planning, and funding proposals.
• Gather and define requirements to build and maintain detailed project schedules and integrated plans.
• Monitor, forecast, and report on project costs to ensure adherence to budget.
• Develop and manage project scope, deliverables, and schedules.
• Promote and apply I&IT project management best practices.
• Direct project teams to ensure timely delivery and compliance with government and ministry standards.
• Coordinate and monitor project activities; develop and communicate guidelines and procedures.
• Recruit and onboard cross-functional team members, including both OPS union staff and consultants.
• Resolve interpersonal and resourcing conflicts, and facilitate team knowledge sharing.
• Develop complex budgets, accounting for multiple funding sources and ministry dependencies.
• Ensure fiscal control and accountability, including forecasting and financial reconciliation.
• Proactively identify and mitigate risks.
• Prioritize and escalate issues and risks to senior executives with recommended strategies.
• Establish and participate in steering committees and stakeholder forums.
• Provide portfolio-level reporting to multi-stakeholder groups at the executive level.
• Use change management strategies to support project transition and implementation.
• Promote OPS I&IT project management standards and ensure quality assurance and resource utilization.

Desirable Skills:

• Knowledge of the PMI's Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).
• Strong understanding of Agile Scrum principles, practices, and methodologies.
• Familiarity with information management practices and principles.
• Proficiency with Azure DevOps, including user story creation, kanban boards, and pipeline monitoring.
• Knowledge of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and related regulations.
• Ability to recommend technology acquisitions (software, hardware, resources).
• Ability to anticipate and resolve project issues for improved effectiveness.
• Conflict resolution between project and functional areas.
• Strong client relationship management and stakeholder engagement.

Experience and Skill Set Requirements:

• Minimum 5+ years of experience as a Scrum Master with software development teams using Agile Scrum.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Deep understanding of Agile practices, iterative development, and backlog management.
• Experience in development team environments with multiple competing priorities.
• Serve as a Scrum framework advocate across multiple teams.
• Support teams in setting and forecasting sprint goals.
• Facilitate all Scrum ceremonies: daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, planning, backlog refinement, retrospectives, and journey/story mapping.
• Work closely with Product Owners for backlog refinement.
• Create reports and queries using Azure DevOps.
• Resolve resource conflicts and proactively manage team planning and workload prioritization.
• Manage internal/external stakeholder expectations aligned with project goals.
• Track, report, and resolve issues promptly.
• Evaluate risks/issues and provide business-aligned mitigation recommendations.
• Ensure project documentation is maintained and accessible in shared repositories.
• Facilitate team, vendor, and client meetings.
• Collaborate to manage interdependencies with other projects or workstreams.
• Provide progress updates and status reports.

Technical Requirements:

• Strong experience in managing Scrum ceremonies and working with Product Owners.
• Proficiency in Azure DevOps; Azure certification is an asset.
• Experience generating burn-down charts and sprint reports using Azure DevOps.
• Strong technical knowledge of Java, Oracle, and IBM's BPM platform.
• Experience leading technical teams and managing cross-functional project deliverables.
• Direct experience creating project schedules, plans, risk and issue logs, and key documentation (e.g., Change and Risk Management Plans).
• Proven experience managing multiple application development projects within budget and timeline constraints.
• Experience working with external clients and vendors in a development context.
• Familiarity with both the traditional System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Agile methodologies.
• Strong technical acumen and business understanding.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Project, Office Suite, and Visio.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Experience with project triage or turnaround is an asset.
• Government/public sector experience is a plus.

Evaluation Criteria:

Scrum/Agile Experience - 45%

• Scrum Master certification or demonstrated experience managing Scrum projects and ceremonies.
• Agile project experience.
• Proficiency with Azure DevOps for backlog and sprint management.
• Experience in defect management using Azure during active sprints.

Technical and Project Management Skills - 35%

• Technical expertise with Java, Oracle, and IBM's BPM.
• Experience managing projects using Azure with continuous delivery.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Project, Office Suite, and Visio.
• Experience leading multiple, concurrent application development projects with cross-functional teams.

Leadership, Facilitation, and Communication - 15%

• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and coordinate multi-stakeholder environments.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven track record managing priorities under tight timelines.

Public Sector Experience - 5%

• Experience with MOE's Modernization of Approvals platform or comparable public sector initiatives.
• Familiarity with SOA-based government modernization projects.