Scrum Master

Sanoma Learning is the leading European learning company, serving over 20 million students in 11 countries. We offer printed and digital learning materials as well as digital learning and teaching platforms for primary, secondary, and vocational education. Our methodologies are developed based on deep teacher and student insights, with a strong focus on understanding their needs. By combining our educational technologies and pedagogical expertise, we create learning products and services with the highest learning impact. In our Technology organization, you will join the largest cross-cultural community of Sanoma Learning and contribute to the digital transformation and future of education in Europe.

Project description

TEAS (short for Testing and Assessment) creates a digital testing solution for the various learning applications within Sanoma. Internal applications are onboarded to TEAS, to use it as a digital testing solution within their learning method. TEAS is used for primary vocational education. We provide an API and use Micro Frontends.

MAX online is the most exciting and innovative learning platform for secundary education. Our adaptive all-round platform put teachers and pupils central. MAX online assists the teacher in achieving his or her main goal : getting the best learning outcomes for each pupil. Its different modules support the teacher not only by offering the best quality teaching materials, but also by offering a range of time-saving solutions on planning, preparing, coaching and assessing

This Scrum Master will work 50% with TEAS team and 50% with MAX team.

Size and composition of our current teams :

• TEAS team – approx. 15 people, including developers, QA engineers, and a Product Owner.
• MAX team – approx. 18 people, including developers, QA engineers, a Product Owner, UX designer, and a Service Engineer.

Role responsibilities

• Strongly serving and supporting the Product Owner and Development Team in their quest to do everything possible to delight customers;
• Providing all support to the team using a servant leadership style and leading by example. This person should personify Scrum and Agile;
• Guiding and Coaching the Scrum Team and organization on how to use Agile / Scrum practices and values to delight customers;
• Guiding and Coaching both the Scrum Team and the Development team on how to get the most of out self organization;
• Guiding and Coaching both the Scrum Team and the Development team on self-organizing to fill in the intentional gaps left in the Agile / Scrum frameworks;
• Assessing the Scrum Maturity of the team and organization and coaching the team to higher levels of maturity, at a pace that is sustainable and comfortable for the team and organization;
• Removing impediments or guiding the team to remove impediments by finding the right personnel to remove the impediment;
• Building a trusting and safe environment where problems can be raised without fear of blame, retribution, or being judged, with an emphasis of healing and problem solving;
• Facilitating getting the work done without coercion, assigning, or dictating the work;
• Facilitating discussion, decision making, and conflict resolution;
• Assisting with internal and external communication, improving transparency, and radiating information;
• Supporting and educating the Product Owner, especially with respect to refining (aka grooming) and managing the product backlog.

Must-have requirements

• At least First level Scrum Master certification (PSM I, CSM );
• Experience playing the Scrum Master role for at least one year for a software development team;
• Good skills and knowledge of servant leadership, facilitation, situational awareness, conflict resolution, continual improvement, empowerment, and increasing transparency;
• The ability to distinguish between what "is Scrum" what is "not Scrum";
• Experience being on multiple Scrum teams in a variety of different contexts (different team sizes, different organizations, different cultures, co-located vs. distributed, etc);
• Track record of continued and recent education in Scrum, including training, conferences, user groups, self study, etc.;
• Knowledge of other approaches discussed in the Agile space : XP, Kanban, Crystal, FDD, etc.;
• Knowledge and / or experience with widely successful Agile techniques : User Stories, ATDD, TDD, Continuous Integration, Continuous Testing, Pairing, Automated Testing, Agile Games;
• Experience applying a wide variety of well documented patterns and techniques for filling in the intentional gaps left in the Scrum approach (example : numerous Burndown techniques, numerous Retrospective formats, handling bugs, etc);
• Excellent communication verbally and written in English;
• General Skills (non-technical);
• Ability to make decisions and be accountable for decisions and actions;
• Strong attention to detail;
• Effective planning and organisation skills;
• Copes well under pressure and with uncertainty;
• Flexible and adaptable in the face of changing priorities or circumstances;
• Drives for results;
• Problem solving ability.

Nice-to-have requirements

• Second level Scrum Master Certification (PSM II, CSP) is a plus;
• Analytical skills;
• Technical skills.

Location

100% remote work

What we offer

• B2B contract for an indefinite period;
• Work-life balance and great atmosphere;

Opportunities for professional development through interesting tasks.

As an employer, Sanoma offers a working environment where you are able and encouraged to show your best self. The working environment is result-oriented as well as flexible with a focus on collaboration. We offer you a key position with interesting and challenging tasks and excellent opportunities for professional growth. You will be part of a highly professional and experienced international team in an open and informal setting, where initiative is expected and rewarded.