Scrum Master / Program Manager - AI Initiatives

Job Description:

• Lead enterprise AI and digital transformation initiatives while serving as Scrum Master for cross-functional teams. Drive discovery, delivery, governance, stakeholder alignment, and AI adoption across business and technology organizations.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate all Scrum ceremonies including Sprint Planning, Daily Stand-ups, Reviews, Backlog Refinement and Retrospectives.
• Serve as Scrum Master for Agile teams and ensure adherence to Agile principles and delivery excellence.
• Drive discovery, planning, roadmap creation and execution for AI-enabled business initiatives.
• Partner with Product Owners, Architects, Engineering Leads, Data Scientists, UX teams and business stakeholders to define priorities.
• Track dependencies, risks, issues and impediments across teams and vendors.
• Manage program level reporting, governance, status updates, metrics and executive communication.
• Coach teams on Agile maturity, continuous improvement and self-organization.
• Ensure timely delivery of discovery artifacts, user stories, solution designs and business outcomes.
• Lead PI planning, release planning and roadmap reviews using Jira and roadmap tools.
• Coordinate onsite-offshore teams and multi-vendor delivery models.

AI & Innovation Responsibilities (Preferred)

• Identify opportunities to leverage Generative AI, Machine Learning and Intelligent Automation within financial services processes.
• Coordinate AI proof-of-concepts, pilots and production deployments.
• Work with AI Engineering and Enterprise AI Council to translate business problems into AI use cases.
• Facilitate AI backlog prioritization using business value, risk and feasibility criteria.
• Support responsible AI practices including governance, model risk awareness, explainability and compliance considerations.
• Track AI adoption KPIs, business value realization and operational impact.
• Help establish AI operating models, delivery frameworks and best practices.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of Scrum Master experience with at least 2 years managing enterprise programs or portfolios.
• Certified Scrum Master (CSM), PSM or equivalent Agile certification preferred.
• Strong experience in Jira and Agile planning/reporting tools.
• Experience working in Banking, Wealth Management, Financial Services or Insurance domains.
• Experience leading discovery and requirements definition activities.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and facilitation skills.
• Experience managing distributed onsite-offshore teams.
• Strong understanding of Agile, Scrum, Kanban and scaled Agile delivery models.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting AI, Data Analytics, Machine Learning or Generative AI initiatives.
• Exposure to Azure AI, OpenAI, Copilot, cloud data platforms or MLOps environments.
• Knowledge of model lifecycle management and AI governance frameworks.
• Experience managing business cases, benefits tracking and executive presentations.
• SAFe certification, PMP or Program Management certification is a plus.