Scrum Master
Title- Scrum MasterLocation- Chicago, IL , OnsiteRole SummaryWe are seeking a Technical Project Manager (TPM)/ Scrum Master with proven experience managing projects in complex, fast-moving environments. The ideal candidate brings strong expertise in Agile (Scrum/Kanban), excels in cross-functional coordination, and ensures predictable, high-quality delivery outcomes.Jira is a must-have, with deep hands-on experience managing backlogs, boards, workflows, and reporting.Key ResponsibilitiesProject & Delivery LeadershipManage end-to-end delivery across the full software development lifecycle (SDLC)—requirements, planning, execution, deployment, stabilization.Own project plans, scope, schedules, risks, and delivery commitments.Lead Agile ceremonies: sprint planning, standups, backlog refinement, reviews, retrospectives.Ensure strong Kanban flow, WIP governance, and continuous flow efficiency.Agile / Kanban ExecutionUse Jira extensively to manage team boards, workflows, velocity, cycle time, burndowns, and dashboards.Drive backlog grooming and prioritization with Product Owners.Improve team throughput and delivery predictability through measurable improvements.Identify bottlenecks and implement Agile best practices to optimize flow.Stakeholder Communication & LeadershipAct as the primary point of contact for updates, risks, dependencies, and delivery status.Facilitate alignment across Engineering, Product, QA, Infrastructure/DevOps, and customer teams.Provide clear, transparent communication tailored to technical and non-technical audiences.Risk, Issue, and Change ManagementProactively identify risks, dependencies, and blockers; drive mitigation and escalation when needed.Manage change requests through structured change control and clear communication.Maintain RAID logs and ensure timely resolution of critical issues.Deployment & Release ManagementPlan and coordinate releases across environments, partnering with DevOps/IT teams.Own go-live readiness, cutover plans, and post-deployment stabilization.Ensure appropriate validation, rollback plans, and deployment governance.Metrics & ReportingBuild and maintain Jira dashboards and reporting views using:Velocity & sprint healthBurndown chartsCycle time / lead timeThroughput and flow metricsDefect trendsProvide weekly executive summaries highlighting progress, blockers, and next steps.Core CompetenciesJira project governance and reporting (must-have)Scrum/Kanban execution excellenceStakeholder and communication leadershipRisk, dependency, and change managementTechnical understanding of software architectures and deploymentsStrong ownership and accountability mindset