Senior Scrum Master - Agile Mentor and Product & Engineering Alignment Champion
Who We Are
Paltalk, a subsidiary of Tempest Tech Inc. has been connecting people worldwide through real-time video, voice, and text communication since 1998. As a pioneer in video chat and instant messaging, we've built a vibrant platform where users can connect, interact, and build communities (www.paltalk.com).
Our platform offers a rich experience, featuring:
- Real-time Communication: Seamless video, voice, and text chat.
- Diverse Communities: Public chat rooms and private messaging to connect with people who share your interests.
- Global Reach: Connect with users from all corners of the world.
- Group Interaction: Robust group video call capabilities.
- Themed Chat Rooms: A wide array of themed rooms for dating, gaming, casual conversations, and more.
- Community Building: Tools and features designed to foster meaningful social interaction.
At Paltalk, we're dedicated to enhancing the user experience and providing a dynamic space for online connection. Join us and be a part of a team that's shaping the future of real-time communication.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a highly experienced and passionate Senior Scrum Master to lead the adoption of Scrum across our organization and act as the crucial bridge between our Product and Engineering teams. In this pivotal role, you will be the driving force behind our Agile transformation, ensuring seamless collaboration, efficient delivery, and continuous improvement across the organization. You will leverage your deep understanding of Scrum principles and practices to foster a high-performing environment that empowers teams to deliver exceptional value to our users.
As a Senior Scrum Master, you will not just facilitate ceremonies, but you will be a strategic partner, working closely with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and stakeholders to align on priorities, remove impediments, and optimize workflows. You will champion Agile best practices, mentor teams, and contribute to the overall evolution of our Agile maturity.
Key Responsibilities
- Product & Engineering Alignment:
- Serve as the primary liaison between Product and Engineering, facilitating clear communication and ensuring alignment on product vision, priorities, and roadmap.
- Collaborate with Product Managers to refine product backlogs, break down user stories, and ensure clear acceptance criteria.
- Work with Engineering Leads to optimize sprint planning, execution, and delivery, ensuring technical feasibility and efficient resource allocation.
- Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to resolve dependencies and address roadblocks that impact delivery.
- Scrum Facilitation & Coaching:
- Lead and facilitate all Scrum ceremonies, including sprint planning, daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives, ensuring they are productive and focused on achieving sprint goals.
- Coach and mentor Scrum teams on Agile principles, Scrum practices, and self-organization, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Identify and remove impediments that hinder team progress, proactively addressing issues and escalating as needed.
- Agile Transformation & Organizational Impact:
- Drive the adoption and continuous improvement of Agile practices across the organization.
- Develop and maintain metrics to track team performance and identify areas for improvement.
- Provide training and guidance on Scrum methodologies to teams and stakeholders.
- Contribute to the development and refinement of organizational Agile standards and best practices.
- Facilitate scaling scrum practices across multiple teams.
- Stakeholder Management:
- Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels, including Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and executives.
- Communicate project progress, risks, and dependencies effectively to stakeholders.
- Act as a trusted advisor and advocate for the teams, ensuring their needs are met.
What You Bring
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Computer Science, Business Administration) or equivalent experience.
- Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Advanced Certified Scrum Master (ACSM), or Professional Scrum Master (PSM) certification required.
- 5+ years of experience as a Scrum Master, preferably in a fast-paced, technology-driven environment.
- Able to converse fluently in English and Russian.
- Proven track record of successfully facilitating Scrum teams and driving Agile transformation.
- Deep understanding of Agile principles, Scrum practices, and other Agile frameworks (e.g., Kanban).
- Strong communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Experience working with cross-functional teams and managing complex projects.
- Experience with Agile tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence).
- Experience scaling agile practices.
- Experience working with product and engineering teams, and understanding the challenges of their relationship.
Nice to Have (Preferred Qualifications)
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
- Experience with SAFe or other scaling frameworks.
- Experience in a product-centric organization.