Agile Transformation SME

Role Description

Sprezzatura Management Consulting is seeking a senior Enterprise Agile Transformation Subject Matter Expert (SME) to join the company’s Lean-Agile Center of Excellence (LACE). The SME will serve as an internal Agile consultant and transformation leader, deployed to strategic programs to improve delivery governance, planning, execution, predictability, transparency, and measurable customer outcomes. This is not solely a meeting facilitation or Scrum-ceremony role. It is a transformation leadership role requiring deep SAFe expertise, organizational change management capability, strong executive presence, and ability to establish, communicate, and sustain agreed delivery standards across complex organizations.

The Agile Transformation SME will spend approximately 75% of their time on a large enterprise-wide program supporting the Department of Veterans Affairs. The SME will enter an active transformation effort in which proposed changes include:

• Redesigning PI Planning
• Strengthening Scrum Master alignment within value streams
• Improving Agile governance
• Consolidating Jira structures and reporting

The remaining capacity will support Sprezzatura's company-wide Lean-Agile Center of Excellence (LACE), cross-contract delivery standards, and other engagements as directed by the Director of Agile Delivery and Process Automation.

This position reports directly to the Director of Agile Delivery and Process Automation and operates as a member of Sprezzatura’s LACE. While assigned to customer programs, the SME will work in close partnership with the applicable Program Manager, delivery leadership, and customer stakeholders. The right candidate will serve as the functional Agile authority on assigned programs, the lead trainer and coach across Sprezzatura's delivery portfolio, and a key contributor to the company's Lean-Agile governance infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Own full RTE-level authority for the program’s Agile Release Train (ART).
• Lead and continuously improve the integrated Agile planning cadence, PI Planning activities, cross-team dependency management, and delivery coordination across designated value streams.
• Partner with program and value-stream leadership to establish clear Agile roles, decision rights, escalation paths, planning calendars, and standards.
• Finalize and execute the PI Planning redesign approved by company and program leadership.
• Ensure PI Planning readiness includes a prioritized Program Epic Backlog, documented requirements and dependencies, capacity and constraint information, and delivery of required planning artifacts.
• Establish objective readiness and success criteria for each PI Planning cycle.
• Coach and develop the Scrum Master cohort, strengthen Scrum Master alignment within value streams, and establish an effective cross-program community of practice.
• Assess Scrum Master capability and program needs; recommend role assignments, development plans, training, mentoring, and organizational adjustments.
• Partner with the Program Manager and delivery leaders to build constructive relationships with VA stakeholders and delivery partners.
• Influence customer and partner behavior through evidence, transparency, facilitation, and agreed governance.
• Lead program-level operations, including implementing the Jira consolidation from 21 projects to four value-stream-aligned boards.
• Establish and maintain meaningful program health measures.
• Establish a transparent process for evaluating and integrating new or changing VA priorities during a PI.
• Lead Inspect and Adapt activities, retrospectives, root-cause analysis, and corrective-action planning.
• Build sustainable internal capability by transferring knowledge, developing program leaders and practitioners, and documenting standards.
• Support the Director of Agile Delivery and Process Automation in maturing and operating Sprezzatura's LACE.
• Conduct Agile maturity assessments on Specialized Services and other Sprezzatura contracts.
• Design and deliver the Sprezzatura Delivery Academy and support the ongoing operation of the company OKR/CFR system.
• Support other Sprezzatura contracts as directed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 18+ years of relevant experience.
• 10+ years of experience in senior program-level Agile leadership roles.
• Current SAFe Practice Consultant (SPC) certification; SAFe RTE strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading end-to-end PI Planning events at scale.
• Proven track record of assessing underperforming or inconsistent delivery environments.
• Experience designing and standing up Lean-Agile Centers of Excellence.
• Demonstrated experience developing and delivering SAFe training.
• Strong VA or federal agency stakeholder management experience.
• Prior experience in building a comprehensive digital workplace.
• Demonstrated experience developing strategic roadmaps and execution plans.
• Experience conducting Agile maturity assessments.
• Advanced proficiency with Jira in large, multi-team environments.
• Experience developing, implementing, and governing enterprise-wide Agile SOPs.
• Excellent communication skills across all levels.
• Demonstrated organizational change-management experience.
• Experience defining and using Agile and flow metrics.
• Demonstrated ability to balance framework discipline with contractual requirements.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a VA suitability determination/Public Trust designation.

Requirements

• Experience supporting VA DTC, OIT, or other VA digital modernization programs.
• Experience designing and facilitating OKR/CFR operating systems.
• Familiarity with federal security and authorization processes.
• Experience navigating multi-vendor, multi-prime contractor delivery environments.
• Background in professional services or government contracting firm environments.

Working Conditions

Standard Business hours are Monday through Friday. Occasional extended or weekend hours may be required based on operational needs. Periodic travel to customers, company and program events as required. Must have reliable internet service that allows for effective telecommuting.

Pay Range

The base salary range for this position is $190,000 to $230,000 annually, depending on geographic work location, relevant experience, skills, education, internal equity, security clearance, and contract requirements.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Health Saving Account (when enrolled in eligible plan) with Company contribution
• Company paid Life, Accidental Death, Short-term & Long-term Disability
• Voluntary Accident, Hospital Indemnity, & Critical Care Insurance
• Voluntary Medical & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Accrued Paid Time Off & Company Paid Holidays
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company match

Company Description

Sprezzatura is a mission-driven, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) that thrives at the intersection of technology, innovation, and impact. We specialize in secure, scalable, and human-centered digital solutions that accelerate government transformation.