Technical Project Manager / Scrum Master

18-Jan-2022

Harvard University Information Technology

56889BR

Job-Specific Responsibilities

Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) is a community of Information Technology professionals committed to delivering service and technological solutions in support of teaching, learning, research and administration.  We are recruiting an IT workforce that has both breadth in their ability to collaborate and innovate across disciplines – and depth in specific areas of expertise. HUIT offers opportunities for IT professionals to learn and work in a unique technology landscape and service-focused environment. If you are a technically proficient, nimble, user-focused, and accountable IT professional who also connects with the importance of collaborating well in a team environment, we are looking for you!

We are seeking a Technical Project Manager / Scrum Master looking to apply their experiences and skills managing software application projects across a diverse portfolio of enterprise applications. We are seeking candidates with strong relationship building and communication skills working with technical staff and non-technical staff.

The primary function of the Technical Project Manager / Scrum Master is to guide application teams on the process of developing and delivering software to enterprise class applications in line with project milestones, agile cycles, and key business events.  The Technical Project Manager/Scrum Master collaborates with Technical Managers, Functional (Business) Managers, software developers, business analysts, and infrastructure support teams to plan and execute projects. The candidate facilitates scrum ceremonies and provides coaching to support the team in continuous delivery and milestone achievement.

Responsibilities include:

• Manage workflow and scheduling for multiple projects
• Assist with internal and external communication, improving transparency, and radiating information
• Ensure the preparation and delivery of required project documentation
• Prepare and provide project status updates
• Contribute to communication plan and change management
• Collaborate to develop project plans, proposals and objectives; identify project responsibilities by determining the phases and elements of the project; calculate time frames and sequence the stages of the project
• Facilitate and support scrum events: Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective
• Aid Scrum teams at refinement, story splitting, estimation, velocity, retrospection, and other Scrum techniques
• Coach the Scrum Team on Agile practices and principles to deliver high quality products and services
• Facilitate user groups and stakeholder engagements
• Support the product owner regarding product progress and backlog issues
• Use scrum methodologies for project planning and delivery
• Coach new teams through adopting Agile practices
• Manage multiple projects including helping prioritize and schedule efforts; maintaining project documentation, writing user documentation and communications, designing test plans, handling escalated support issues, and at times managing third-party partner and/or vendor relationships
• Work with transition management to help them provide quality support during key releases, and help trainers to develop a curriculum
• Partner with team product owners to ensure work is delivered and validated successfully during two week sprints
• Understand the architecture of applications, judge the feasibility of proposals, diagnose issues, judge compliance with security and accessibility requirements, and to communicate with developers effectively
• Contribute to the development of technology strategies and solutions
• Make independent decisions within the confines established by sponsors or business owners
• Facilitate user groups and stakeholders
• This position may require occasional weekend support for production releases

Typical Core Duties

• Responsible for assembling project team, assigning individual responsibilities, identifying appropriate resources needed, and developing schedules to ensure timely completion of project
• Responsible for project discovery
• Serve as expert regarding scope and project objectives, solution’s value and technology, as well as the role and function of each team member
• Ensure work completion within schedule, budgetary and design constraints
• Make decisions about analysis, design and testing; solve complex technical problems; and, when necessary, provide alternative methods for achieving goals
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to leverage resources for successful project completion
• Make independent decisions within the confines established by sponsors/business owners
• Serve as primary contact with user groups and stakeholders
• Leverage steering and executive committees for decision-making, change management, and communications
• Absorb and leverage project related technology to ensure effective project management and collaboration
• Advise unit/school regarding post project operations
• Provide training to clients/staff
• Apply Harvard University’s IT technical standards and best practices
• Abide by and follow the Harvard University IT Code of Conduct

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of five years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

The following Additional Qualifications are strongly preferred. If you meet some, but not all, you are still encouraged to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn.

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent education and experience
• Minimum five years’ experience in agile/scum and/or IT project management, preferably in enterprise class applications
• Knowledge of information technology applications, processes, software and equipment
• Experience facilitating meetings and fostering collaboration amongst cross-organizational teams
• Contribute to the advancement and improvement of Agile practices within the organization
• Comfort with collaboration, open communication, and reaching across functional borders
• Proven attention-to-detail and ability to balance multiple projects
• Strong organizational and listening skills
• Possess an attitude that supports an Agile working environment 
• Demonstrated team performance skills, service mindset approach, and the ability to act as a trusted advisor 
• Experience developing clear, context aware communications 
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including but not limited to Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams and SharePoint
• Experience with IT productivity tools such as ServiceNow, Atlassian JIRA/Confluence, Slack
• Manage other projects at the discretion of the Director and Managing Director

Certificates and Licenses

• Completion of Harvard IT Academy Project Management Foundations course (or external equivalent) preferred
• PMP, Certified Scrum Master, or other relevant certification and experience highly valued

Working Conditions

Interview and onboarding activity for this position may be conducted via telephone & Zoom video conferencing, based on the department’s current presence on campus.

This position will be based in Cambridge, MA.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you will begin your work remotely.  All remote work must be performed in a state in which Harvard is registered to do business (CA, CT, MA, MD, ME, NH, NY, RI, and VT). The fully remote nature of this job is only temporary.  Once the University and your supervisor determine that it is appropriate, in-person on-campus work will be required as a condition of continued employment. HUIT is currently developing hybrid workplace models which will actively support some remote work (within a state in which Harvard is registered to do business) where business and team needs allow. Individual flexible and remote work options for this role will be discussed during the interview process.

The University requires all Harvard community members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and remain up to date with COVID-19 vaccine boosters, as detailed in Harvard’s Vaccine & Booster Requirements . Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found at the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/ .

Harvard continues to place the highest priority on the health, safety and wellbeing of its faculty, staff and students, as well as the wider community. Information and details can be found via Harvard’s Coronavirus Workplace Policies website: https://hr.harvard.edu/corona-virus-workplace-policies .

Additional Information

Please provide a cover letter with your application and upload as one document. 

Please note: 

• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screening. 
• We are unable to provide work authorization and/or visa sponsorship. 
• This position has a 180-day orientation and review period. 

More about HUIT:
Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) is responsible for the strategy, planning, and delivery of information technology across the University.  Our mission is to assure Harvard’s leadership in IT. We strive to make it easier for faculty, students, and staff to teach, research, learn and work through the effective use of information technology.  HUIT’s core values are User Focused, Collaborative, Innovative and Open.  

IT Academy (designed for IT Staff):
HUIT’s IT Academy aims to enable each IT staff person to grow professionally and become a trusted partner to her or his team. The IT Academy is built on the belief that every IT staff member across the University (including technology employees at each school and campus) can grow in her or his area of expertise as well as building strong people and project management skills. Learn more here: https://itacademy.harvard.edu/   

Total Rewards:
Harvard’s Total Rewards Program is designed to attract, retain, and reward the performance of talented employees. As a Harvard staff member, you enjoy many perks that come with working for one of the top employers in Massachusetts, including: 

Flexible work environment: HUIT supports flexible work arrangements where business needs allow. 

Time off: 3 - 4 weeks paid vacation, paid holiday break, 12 paid sick days, 12.5 paid holidays, and 3 paid personal days per year. 

Medical/Dental/Vision: We offer a variety of excellent medical plans, dental & vision plans.  

Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with full vesting after 3 years of service. 

Tuition Assistance Program (TAP): $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and discounted options through participating Harvard grad schools. 

Harvard University Employees Credit Union: Our employees credit union provides a complete line of services for all your financial needs. https://huecu.org   

Transportation: 50% discounted MBTA pass as well as additional options to assist employees in their daily commute. 

Wellness options: A variety of programs and classes at little or no cost, including stress management, massages, nutrition, meditation and complimentary health services. 

Access to athletic facilities, libraries, campus events and many discounts throughout metro Boston. 

Learn more: https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards  

Accessibility:
Harvard University IT plays an important role in supporting Harvard's commitment by seeking to create, procure and deploy technologies that are accessible to all, including and especially those who live with disability. Harvard welcomes individuals with disabilities to apply for positions and participate in its programs and activities. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact our University Disability Resources Department. 

Job Function

Information Technology

Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

I0058P IT Project Manager IV

Department

Administrative Technology Services

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.