Position SummaryThe Project Manager / Agile Scrum Master is a newly established position responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing assigned projects and initiatives across the firm. This role applies both traditional and Agile project management methodologies to ensure projects are well organized, delivered on schedule, and aligned with business objectives. The Project Manager / Agile Scrum Master facilitates day-to-day project and sprint activities, maintains clear documentation of scope, timelines, and risk, and promotes accountability across project teams. This position must be comfortable with ambiguity, exercising sound judgment to manage daily priorities and establish effective working practices, while receiving overall direction from a managing director. The Project Manager / Agile Scrum Master collaborates closely with business stakeholders, technology teams, and other functional groups to support the successful delivery of assigned projects.
Location: On site in Grand Rapids, MI office
Key ResponsibilitiesProject Planning and Execution- Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, milestones, and resource requirements for assigned projects.
- Track and document risks, issues, dependencies, and action items, and follow up to ensure timely resolution.
- Facilitate project meetings, ensuring decisions, owners, and deadlines are clearly documented and communicated.
- Manage scope changes for assigned projects and escalate concerns to the appropriate stakeholder or manager.
- Coordinate communication on testing, training, documentation, and transition-to-support activities for project go-lives.
- Conduct post-project reviews and document lessons learned for future initiatives.
Agile Scrum Master Duties- Facilitate Agile ceremonies (sprint planning, daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives) for assigned teams.
- Maintain and help groom backlogs in partnership with product owners and business stakeholders.
- Remove day-to-day impediments blocking team progress and escalate larger obstacles as needed.
- Track and report sprint and team metrics, such as velocity and burndown.
- Coach team members on Agile principles and practices and support consistent use of Agile ceremonies.
Change and Release Coordination- Support change management processes for assigned projects, including documentation of planned changes.
- Coordinate with Infrastructure, Application Development, Cybersecurity, and business owners to schedule and communicate changes.
- Participate in Change Advisory Board activities as needed for assigned initiatives.
- Track change-related issues on assigned projects and flag recurring problems to management.
Reporting and Communication- Provide regular, accurate status updates to project sponsors and stakeholders.
- Maintain project documentation, including status reports, logs, and meeting notes.
- Communicate clearly and effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Collaboration- Build effective working relationships across technology, operations, and business teams.
- Follow project management standards and templates established by the organization.
- Raise unclear ownership, incomplete requirements, or unrealistic schedules to the appropriate manager.
Continuous Improvement- Identify recurring causes of delays or rework on assigned projects and recommend improvements.
- Support consistent adoption of project and Agile practices across assigned teams.
Required Qualifications- Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
- 3-5+ years of project management and/or Scrum Master experience.
- Experience in both Project Management and Agile Scrum Master disciplines is strongly preferred. Candidates with demonstrated experience in one discipline, combined with working knowledge of and interest in the other, are also encouraged to apply.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment in the absence of established processes.
- Strong organizational, facilitation, and written communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities concurrently.
- Agile and Waterfall familiarity.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience within a law firm, professional-services organization, or regulated environment.
- Experience supporting technology implementation projects.
- Experience introducing or establishing project management or Agile practices within an organization.
- Familiarity with hybrid project methodologies.
- Familiarity with Jira, Jira Service Management, Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or similar tools.
- CSM, PMI-ACP, PMP, or similar certification, or actively working toward one.
Core Competencies- Organization and follow-through
- Comfort converting ambiguity into clarity
- Clear, effective communication
- Meeting and ceremony facilitation
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving
- Team collaboration
- Adaptability
Measures of SuccessSuccess in this role will be reflected through:
- On-time, on-budget delivery of assigned projects
- Clear, up-to-date project documentation
- Timely identification and escalation of risks and issues
- Effective sprint facilitation and healthy team velocity
- Positive stakeholder feedback on communication and coordination
- Smooth transition of completed projects to support