Scrum Coach

At the University of Minnesota, we change lives through discovery, education, and outreach. The Office of Information Technology (OIT) which is the University's largest central IT department and offers a mission-driven environment built on trust, collaboration, and a commitment to the public good. We are looking for a Scrum Coach (Scrum Master) who is eager to help our teams navigate complex challenges and deliver meaningful value to our students, staff, and faculty.

As a Scrum Coach, you will be a transformational partner to software developers, service owners, and key stakeholders. Operating within a SAFe-scaled agile framework, you will work to remove systemic roadblocks, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and safeguard the health and psychological safety of your teams.

We are seeking a partner who is passionate about team health and can translate complex Agile frameworks into practical, meaningful support for our teams of technical experts. If you thrive on coaching others toward excellence and enjoy the intersection of education and technology, you will find a rewarding home here at the University.

Core Job Responsibilities:

• Coach the development team toward true self-organization, empowering them to manage their own work and take collective ownership of commitments.
• Proactively identify and eliminate complex roadblocks by navigating the University's organizational structure and partnering with stakeholders such as service owners, engineers, and managers.
• Facilitate the transition from output-based work to value-based delivery; use data-driven techniques like monitoring cycle time or flow efficiency to help the team work smarter, not harder.
• Represent the team within the SAFe framework, collaborating with the Release Train Engineer (RTE) and other coaches to manage cross-team dependencies and ensure alignment with the broader Agile Release Train (ART).
• Guide Product Owners in effective backlog refinement, helping them translate vision into vertical slices of value that deliver progress early and often.
• Facilitate Agile events like sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives not just as meetings, but as opportunities for growth, psychological safety, and radical transparency.
• Assess the team's health and maturity regularly, moving beyond "doing agile" (processes and tools) to "being agile" (mindset and principles).

*Please document qualifications on resume

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS plus at least two years of experience, or master's degree.
• 2+ years of experience working on an Agile team as a Scrum Coach/Master.
• Knowledge of multiple Agile methodologies.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience coaching teams to decompose complex requirements into small, vertical slices of deliverable value.
• Ability to facilitate exercises and use metrics to improve work flow and identify system bottlenecks.
• Demonstrated skill in navigating large-scale agile frameworks, specifically SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework).
• Active Agile certification, such as Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Professional Scrum Master (PSM), or SAFe Scrum Master (SSM).
• Advanced interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence without formal authority.
• Experience in a higher education or large institutional IT environment.
• Proven ability to present complex concepts clearly to both technical teams and non-technical leadership.

Pay Range: $95,000 - $120,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).