Role Summary
We are seeking an experienced Senior Scrum Master who is a servant leader and agile coach, not a project manager or meeting facilitator. This role requires deep, hands-on Scrum Master experience with a proven ability to coach squads toward higher levels of agile maturity, ownership, and continuous improvement. Candidates with predominantly Project Management backgrounds will not be considered unless they demonstrate significant, sustained experience operating as a Scrum Master.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as a true Scrum Master, embedding agile principles and Scrum values across squads
- Coach squads to improve agile maturity, self-organization, accountability, and flow
- Go beyond facilitating ceremonies by:
- Identifying and removing systemic impediments
- Driving continuous improvement using data and insights
- Challenging anti-patterns and ineffective behaviors
- Partner with Product Owners to improve backlog readiness, value delivery, and stakeholder collaboration
- Coach teams and leaders on agile mindset, not just processes
- Support squads in delivering predictable, high-quality outcomes
- Facilitate healthy team dynamics and psychological safety
- Collaborate with other Scrum Masters to drive consistency and best practices across the organization
- Actively contribute to scaling initiatives where applicable
Required Experience & Skills
- Minimum 5+ years of dedicated Scrum Master experience (not combined with PM duties)
- Demonstrated success coaching teams from low to high agile maturity
- Strong understanding of Scrum, Kanban, Lean, and Agile principles
- Proven ability to influence without authority and challenge the status quo
- Experience addressing team and organizational impediments, not just sprint-level issues
- Strong coaching, facilitation, and conflict resolution skills
- Ability to work with multiple squads if required
Desirable Experience
- Experience working in Scaled Agile environments (e.g., SAFe, LeSS, Nexus, Spotify model, or equivalent)
- Experience coaching squads within complex, enterprise environments
- Agile coaching or Scrum Master certifications (CSM, PSM, SAFe SM, etc.)
What This Role Is Not
- Not a Project Manager role
- Not a delivery tracker or status reporter
- Not limited to facilitating Scrum ceremonies
Compensation, Benefits and Duration
Minimum Compensation: USD 40,000
Maximum Compensation: USD 140,000
Compensation is based on actual experience and qualifications of the candidate. The above is a reasonable and a good faith estimate for the role.
Medical, vision, and dental benefits, 401k retirement plan, variable pay/incentives, paid time off, and paid holidays are available for full time employees.
This position is available for independent contractors
No applications will be considered if received more than 120 days after the date of this post
Photon Chicago, Illinois, USA Office
11 East Adams Street Suite 1100, Chicago, IL, United States, 60603
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