Scrum Master

You are as unique as your background, experience and point of view. Here, you’ll be encouraged, empowered and challenged to be your best self. You'll work with dynamic colleagues - experts in their fields - who are eager to share their knowledge with you. Your leaders will inspire and help you reach your potential and soar to new heights. Every day, you'll have new and exciting opportunities to make life brighter for our Clients - who are at the heart of everything we do. Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world.

Job Description:

At Sun Life, we work together, share common values, encourage growth and achievement. Join our talented, diverse workforce and launch a rewarding career.

As a Scrum Master in Sun Life's Agile Excellence Domain, you will be part of our exciting journey as we embark on a multi-year transformation to a Digital Enterprise with a focus on driving forward new ways of working, bringing Business, IT and Operations closer together in delivery Client Value.

We are looking for a Scrum Master who can demonstrate skills and competencies with real-world work experience in this capacity - not just theory, courses, or an academic certification. We operate in a world where time-to-market and evolving business priorities drive our plans. The awesome person who fills this role will need to be resilient, able to influence and thrive in ambiguity.

The Scrum Master is empowered to introduce better ways to help the squad perform at its highest level and is responsible for ensuring the team lives agile values and principles. The incumbent will actively participate in developing and supporting 1-2 high performing/self-organizing squads. This includes clearing obstacles, establishing an environment where the squad can be effective, ensuring a good relationship between the team, product owner and delivery, as well as others outside the team.

What will you do?

Implement and promote the use of Agile methodology within the agile teams: 

• Facilitate agile ceremonies including sprint planning, sprint review, retrospectives, and daily standup.
• Create a forum for discussing vision, goals, and Product Backlog items amongst the team.
• Identify, manage, and help mitigate issues and risks, with particular emphasis on timely removal of impediments for the team and/or directing obstacles to appropriate owners for quick resolution.
• Ensure that proper documentation (i.e., program vision statement, program backlog, program roadmap, release plan, sprint backlog, and increments) is prioritized and added to the team’s backlog of work.
• Compliance with SLF policies and procedures for delivery and implementation

Ensure the team embraces the agile principles, values, and framework: 

• Coach the development team and help lead and ensure the “agile mindset” is fully adopted and understood.
• Assess and coach the squads to higher levels of performance, focus, commitment, respect, and openness while tracking acceleration metrics.
• Facilitate efforts with the support and implementation teams on how to integrate agile methodologies into a Waterfall environment.
• Encourage an environment of open communication and collaborative problem solving and where the impact of mistakes can be minimized through early detection as well as making them into learning opportunities.

Develop and nurture strong partnering relationships with Product Owner, Squads, and stakeholders: 

• Develop strong partnerships with the Product Owner and the Squads (agile teams) to gain strong understanding of objectives, sustain open dialogue to manage product backlog efficiently.
• Influence a wide range of stakeholders (i.e., Business, Delivery, IT) to remove impediments and maximize team output.
• Support and educate the Product Owner and the squads on agile principles and practices to preserve the team from external pressures which may inhibit its productivity.
• Protect the Squad from outside interruptions and distractions.
• Brings a high-energy and passionate outlook to the job and can influence those around them.
• Able to build a sense of trust and rapport that creates a comfortable & effective workplace.

What will you need to succeed?

• 3-5+ years' experience as a Scrum Master in agile delivery / transformation / training / coaching.
• Certified SASM or Certified SSM, Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Kanban Management Professional (KPM) is preferred.
• Experience in scaled Agile environments, SAFe certification is preferred.
• Certified SAFe Release Train Engineer (RTE) is an asset.
• Experience leading or shaping large transformational efforts is an asset.
• An effective communicator at all levels, in both structured and non-hierarchical, informal structures.
• Experience in coaching squads with various profiles and maturity levels.
• IT experience and/or understanding the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
• 3-5+ years' experience with Agile Toolsets (JIRA, Confluence, Miro).
• Experience in insurance, health, or financial industry is an asset.

What’s in it for you?

• We’re proud to be a Best Workplace for Hybrid Work by Great Place to Work® Canada
• Recognized in 2023 with the Most Trusted Executive team by Great Place to Work® Canada.
• Be part of our continuous improvement journey in developing the next greatest digital enterprise experience that is united by our Purpose: to help Clients and Employees achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives.
• Flexible Benefits from the day you join to meet the needs of you and your family. 
• Pension, stock, and savings programs to help build and enhance your future financial security.
• Flexible hybrid work model including work-from-home if you prefer.
• Care Days are available for self-care or care of others (i.e., family or others you may support) and Sick Days to support your well-being.
• Our unique Sabbatical Program gives you the opportunity to take up to 6 weeks off, every five years.

• An environment of continuous learning and improvement with a friendly, collaborative, and inclusive culture.

The Base Pay range is for the primary location for which the job is posted.  It may vary depending on the work location of the successful candidate or other factors.  In addition to Base Pay, eligible Sun Life employees participate in various incentive plans, payment under which is discretionary and subject to individual and company performance.  Certain sales focused roles have sales incentive plans based on individual or group sales results. 

Diversity and inclusion have always been at the core of our values at Sun Life. A diverse workforce with wide perspectives and creative ideas benefits our clients, the communities where we operate and all of us as colleagues. We welcome applications from qualified individuals from all backgrounds.

Persons with disabilities who need accommodation in the application process or those needing job postings in an alternative format may e-mail a request to thebrightside@sunlife.com.

At Sun Life we strive to create a flexible work environment where our employees are empowered to do their best work. Several flexible work options are available and can be discussed throughout the selection process depending on the role requirements and individual needs.

We thank all applicants for showing an interest in this position. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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