Principal SAFe Coach

Job Summary

Aptive is seeking a Principal SAFe Coach to support digital transformation within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Financial Services Center.

Within the FSC, the Financial Technology Service (FTS) is responsible for all Information Technology including requirements analysis and sizing, backlog management, scrum team governance, incremental/sprint planning, business value, dependency management, risk and impact analysis, scheduling, budget vs actual labor reporting, configuration management, testing, infrastructure operations, application modernization, cyber security, process improvement, and Agile Release Train orchestration.

FTS's IT products address a broad array of VA's enterprise requirements including timekeeping and payroll; accounting; financial reporting and auditing; healthcare claims processing; accounts payable and payment processing; employee travel and charge card; employee relocation; financial data analytics; and financial integration.

This role can be performed in Austin, TX or fully remote.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide SAFe coaching and mentoring support for scaling of Agile methodology at the FSC Portfolio and SL management
• Provide FSC leadership with familiarization with the SAFe framework/concepts (Communities of Practice, Workshops, Lunch and Learns, Agile Leadership Team)
• Coach and mentor agile delivery roles at the team and program levels including Scrum Masters, Product Owners, team members, Release Train Engineers, Product Managers, Architect stakeholders and managers/directors to apply agile principles, practices and frameworks
• Serves as a subject matter expert on fundamental agile practices in Scrum and Kanban, dev ops and applications of principles as needed
• Begins to cultivate a specialty field of coaching (portfolio, delivery, business, dev ops, etc.)
• Embraces servant leadership and displays behaviors that come with the key mindset associated with being agile
• Identifies opportunities for continuous operational and/or team improvements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or Related Scientific /Technical Discipline is required
• 10 years of experience that works functionally across financial services organizations of similar size and complexity, providing leadership, support and guidance for multiple teams along with transformational initiatives that use SAFe as well as PLM, DevSecOps, Scrum, Kanban and Lean
• SAFe Program Consultant (SPC) certification
• Ability to rapidly prioritize competing requirements
• Strong communication skills
• Proven knowledge of industry standards
• Ability to travel onsite in Washington, DC
• Ability to obtain and maintain a public trust clearance
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S.

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience managing program budgets and large teams
• Information System implementation to include planning, migrating, and transitioning from an existing solution
• Familiarity with Process Improvement/ Process Design practices, such as:
  • Six Sigma
  • Lean
  • Total Quality Management
  • Theory of Constraints
• Ability to get up to speed quickly on complex issues; desire to work in a fast-paced, rapidly evolving environment
• Strategic thinker with a drive to get all types of work done and a high attention to detail
• Excellent ability to communicate across all mediums and settings; superior consulting abilities
• Knowledge of military and Veteran health care populations

About Aptive

Aptive is a modern federal consulting firm focused on human experience, digital services, and business transformation. We harness creativity, technology, and culture to connect people and systems to impact the world. We're advisors, strategists, and engineers focused on people, above all else.

We believe in generating success collaboratively, leaving client organizations stronger after every engagement and building trust for the next big challenge. Our work inspires people, fuels change and makes an impact. Join our team to be part of positive change in your community and our nation.

EEO Statement

Aptive is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran status, age, disability, or any other protected class.

Veterans, members of the Reserve and National Guard, and transitioning active-duty service members are highly encouraged to apply.

COVID 19 Vaccine Statement

This position supports a federal government contract and is subject to government vaccination mandates or other customer vaccination requirements. All new hires are required to report their vaccination status and proof of vaccination, or an adjudicated accommodation may be required for employment.