Scrum Master/Agile Coach (#467)

The Scrum Master/Agile Coach supports the team in becoming the best version of itself by fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and high performance. This role drives Agile practices, facilitates effective communication and decision-making, and ensures that the team delivers maximum value while maintaining a safe and transparent working environment.

Key Responsibilities
 

1. Support the Team to Be Its Best Version

• Lead and encourage team spirit and collaboration.

• Support the team in achieving self-organization and maximizing the value it delivers.

• Guide the team in applying Agile principles and practices effectively.

• Create a psychologically safe environment for open discussions and issue resolution.

• Promote a Kaizen (continuous improvement) mindset in daily work.
   

2. Help People Grow and Learn

• Identify and act on opportunities for team members’ personal and professional development (e.g., knowledge transfer, feedback sessions, shadowing).

• Support the Product Owner in managing and prioritizing the team backlog, ensuring alignment with business value.

• Coach and mentor team members to enhance delivery efficiency and quality.

• Lead by example in embodying Agile values and mindset.

3. Facilitate Workshops and Decision-Making

• Organize and facilitate workshops and discussions to ensure clarity of goals and alignment on priorities.

• Facilitate decision-making within the team and with stakeholders.

• Mediate and resolve conflicts when necessary to maintain a productive environment.

4. Own and Improve the Team Process

• Own and continuously improve the team’s delivery process, ensuring visibility through tools such as Kanban or Scrum boards and value stream maps.

• Define and track actionable KPIs to measure efficiency and drive continuous improvement.

• Support the removal of impediments that hinder team performance.

5. Promote Transparency and Communication

• Provide transparent updates on team progress, performance, and health (velocity, retrospectives, KPIs, etc.).

• Share successes, challenges, and lessons learned across teams and departments.

• Support internal communication about Agile transformation and best practices.

• Actively participate in Agile and Scrum Master Communities of Practice, and promote cross-team collaboration and learning.

Required Skills & Qualifications
 

1. Proven ability to act as a change agent with strong persuasion and influencing skills.

2. Excellent teaching, coaching, and communication skills.

3. Bilingual proficiency in Japanese and English (Business level or above).

4. Life Insurance domain knowledge and experience preferred.

5. Ability to adapt communication and coaching approach depending on the audience (technical experts, product managers, department heads).

6. Strong knowledge of Agile practices, including:

   • Coaching techniques and stances (listening, questioning, feedback).

   • Product management techniques (Product Vision, Story Mapping, Value-based prioritization).

   • Agile project management methods and tools (visual management, Agile KPIs, indicators).

   • Writing effective User Stories (BDD, TDD knowledge a plus).

   • Scrum and Kanban ceremonies (Daily, Planning, Retrospective, Review).

7. Experience in workshop facilitation and Agile games for engagement and learning.