Release Train Engineer

Overview:

Serves as the Release Train Engineer (RTE) for a large, enterprise-wide cloud migration initiative, providing servant leadership and coaching to an Agile Release Train (ART) composed of multiple cross-functional teams. Leads and mentors a team of Scrum Masters to advance Agile maturity across the program. Applies Agile principles and practices to ensure effective Program Increment (PI) planning, facilitate Scrum of Scrums, and drive alignment across teams. Maintains transparency into delivery predictability and forecasting, keeping stakeholders informed of progress and risks. Removes impediments, fosters collaboration, and ensures the program backlog is clearly defined and prioritized to maximize value delivery. Keeps the ART on track to achieve successful outcomes for the organization while promoting continuous improvement and a culture of agility.

• Organize and facilitate program level communication and ceremonies, including PI planning events, Scrum of Scrums, ART Synchs (synchronizations) and retrospective ceremonies.

• Work closely with Senior Product Owners to ensure alignment on the value of features, facilitate the intake of work, prioritize the program backlog and distribute work to the teams within the ART.

• Keep stakeholders informed of the ART’s progress utilizing program level reporting, tools and dashboards to ensure alignment with program objectives and overall vision of the organization.

• Ensure successful delivery of value by enabling program level transparency, predictability, forecasting and coordinating release planning activities.

• Manage risks, facilitate alignment, provide transparency, identify dependencies and remove impediments within the ART.

• Lead and coach Scrum Masters within the ART.

• Influence senior leaders and coach the ART teams to ensure use of Agile practices and principles.

• Work with other RTEs across the organization to resolve process issues and optimize execution based on key metrics and performance indicators.

• Participate within and grow Agile Communities of Practice to foster continuous improvements to agile practices and delivery.

• Exercise usual authority of a manager concerning staffing, performance appraisals, promotions, salary recommendations, performance management and terminations.

• Understand and adhere to the Company’s risk and regulatory standards, policies and controls in accordance with the Company’s Risk Appetite.  Design, implement, maintain and enhance internal controls to mitigate risk on an ongoing basis.  Identify risk-related issues needing escalation to management.

• Promote an environment that supports belonging and reflects the M&T Bank brand.

• Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable.

• Complete other related duties as assigned.

The jobholder has direct management responsibility for 4 - 10 Scrum Masters working on teams within the ART. 

Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 7 years’ experience working at the program level across multiple cross-functional teams, with a focus on work prioritization, removal of obstacles and leading communication with stakeholders to ensure successful delivery of value for the organization, or in lieu of a degree, a combined minimum of 11 years’ higher education and/or work experience, including a minimum of 7 years’ experience working at the program level across multiple cross-functional teams, with a focus on work prioritization, removal of obstacles and leading communication with stakeholders to ensure successful delivery of value for the organization

Minimum of 2 years’ proven managerial, supervisory and/or work leadership experience

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience as a member of an agile team

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience as a Scrum Master and/or Product Owner

• Depth of knowledge in an IT execution role (e.g., Scrum Master, Release Train Engineer or Product Owner)

• Proven track record of success executing in a scaled Agile environment

• Prior experience with program level reporting

• Prior experience fostering team self-organization and continuous improvement

• Knowledge of Agile and Lean principles and practices

• Experience developing/managing digital capabilities

• Understanding of Design Thinking principles

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Prior experience leading through influence

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