Scrum Master

Job Title: Scrum Master (Utilities / Finance) Location: Houston, TX (Remote / Hybrid as applicable) Department: IT / Data & Analytics / Digital TransformationOverview We are seeking a Senior Scrum Master with strong practical experience to support and guide Agile teams in a utilities and finance-focused environment. This role goes beyond facilitating Scrum ceremonies—the Scrum Master will actively coach teams, Product Owners, and stakeholders as they mature in Agile practices and effectively leverage tools such as Azure DevOps (ADO).Key ResponsibilitiesServe as Scrum Master for one or more Agile teams, ensuring effective adoption and execution of Scrum practicesFacilitate all Scrum events (Sprint Planning, Daily Stand-ups, Sprint Reviews, Retrospectives) with a focus on continuous improvementCoach and mentor team members and Product Owners on Agile principles, roles, and best practicesSupport Product Owners in backlog management, prioritization, and refinementGuide teams in capacity planning, velocity tracking, and delivery forecastingPerform and support team capacity analysis and help optimize workload distributionRemove impediments and proactively identify risks to deliveryPromote transparency through metrics, reporting, and Agile dashboards (ADO or similar tools)Collaborate with stakeholders to manage expectations, improve communication, and ensure alignment with business goalsDrive Agile maturity across teams, helping transition from traditional to Agile ways of workingMust-Haves5+ years of hands-on experience as a Scrum Master (senior-level, not purely theoretical)Proven experience facilitating Scrum ceremonies and driving Agile delivery in practiceStrong experience with team capacity planning, estimation, and delivery forecastingDemonstrated ability to coach Product Owners and development teams in Agile practicesExperience managing stakeholders and navigating cross-functional dependenciesHands-on experience with Azure DevOps (ADO) or similar tools (e.g., Jira)Experience working in utilities, finance, or similarly complex/regulatory environmentsStrong communication and facilitation skills with a proactive, problem-solving mindsetNice-to-HavesExperience scaling Agile across multiple teams (e.g., SAFe, LeSS, or similar frameworks)Background in Agile transformations or transitioning teams from Waterfall to AgileFamiliarity with advanced Agile metrics and reporting (burn-down/up charts, cycle time, lead time, etc.)Experience working with distributed or global teamsScrum certifications (e.g., CSM, PSM)Exposure to DevOps practices or CI/CD environmentsWork EnvironmentFully remoteCollaborate with distributed teams across multiple time zones