Scrum Master at QES

About the position

Scrum Master
Location: Cape Town
Work Model: Hybrid
Contract: 12-Month Independent Contract
Role Overview

A leading financial services organisation is seeking an experienced Scrum Master to support a strategic AI and Data Migration project within its Project Delivery Centre.
This role requires a Scrum Master who can operate effectively within an Agile delivery environment while having a strong practical understanding of data migration, data pipelines, data quality and AI implementation.

The successful candidate will work closely with Product Owners, Project and Programme Managers, Data Engineers, Developers, Business Analysts and other stakeholders to ensure that the Agile team delivers high-quality outcomes across the data migration and AI delivery lifecycle.

This is not a purely traditional Scrum Master role. Candidates must be comfortable engaging with technical teams and understanding how data moves from source systems through data pipelines, transformation processes and ultimately into client-facing dashboards and AI solutions.

Key Responsibilities
Agile / Scrum Leadership

• Act as a servant leader and Agile coach, supporting the team in adopting and applying Agile principles, practices and values.
• Facilitate Scrum ceremonies including Sprint Planning, Daily Stand-ups, Backlog Refinement, Sprint Reviews, Retrospectives and Scrum-of-Scrums where applicable.
• Support the team in achieving Sprint goals, delivery commitments, quality objectives and sustainable velocity.
• Remove impediments and actively manage dependencies that may prevent the team from achieving its delivery objectives.
• Protect the Agile team from uncontrolled changes, competing priorities and unnecessary interruptions.
• Work closely with the Product Owner to ensure that the backlog is prioritised, understood and appropriately refined.
• Coach the team towards self-organisation, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Facilitate the resolution of team conflicts and delivery challenges.
• Support the establishment and continuous improvement of Definition of Done, quality standards and delivery processes.
• Track delivery progress, risks, dependencies and impediments and escalate issues where appropriate.
• Work closely with Project and Programme Managers to ensure alignment between Agile team delivery and wider programme objectives.

Data Migration Responsibilities
The successful candidate must have a strong understanding of data migration projects and data flow, with the ability to engage meaningfully with technical teams around data-related delivery issues.
AI Implementation Exposure
The role will also support an AI implementation programme, requiring the Scrum Master to understand the Agile delivery considerations associated with AI-enabled solutions.
Technical / Data Understanding
The Scrum Master is not expected to be a Data Engineer or Developer, but must have sufficient technical understanding to engage confidently with technical teams and understand data-related delivery challenges.

Required Scrum Master Skills

• Strong knowledge of Agile and Scrum principles, practices and frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience as a Scrum Master within complex technology environments.
• Strong facilitation and Agile coaching capabilities.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving and impediment-removal capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience working with cross-functional, multidisciplinary Agile teams.
• Strong understanding of iterative and incremental software delivery.
• Experience with JIRA and Confluence.
• Good understanding of software development and DevOps practices.
• Strong understanding of data migration and data delivery environments.
• Ability to understand and facilitate investigation of data-related issues.
• Exposure to AI implementation or AI-driven projects.
• Insurance or broader financial services experience would be advantageous.

Financial services and/or insurance experience will be advantageous.

Desired Skills:

• scrum
• agile
• AI
• Data Migration

Desired Work Experience:

• 5 to 10 years

Desired Qualification Level:

• Grade 12 / Matric