Program Manager

Join our innovative, global team using technology to transform the way the social sector engages with data. We run on passion, blending diverse skill sets and experiences with a collective mission to help organizations tackle challenges and achieve greater impact. We encourage all staff to push their own boundaries and drive the company in exciting new directions. As a social enterprise, we reinvest a majority of our profits in our growth and continued pursuit of our mission and vision.

Position Overview

The Program Manager will be responsible for leading and coaching our lean development team to improve their Agile processes and achieve the Development goals. As a Program Manager, you will work closely with the Product Owner, the Development team, and other stakeholders to ensure that the team is shipping out high-quality software products.

The Program Manager will join a team of passionate individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences, all dedicated to improving the way social impact organizations operate. We’re a self-motivated, creative group, and we emphasize collaboration, flexibility, and professionalism.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Ensure that the teams are consistently meeting the sprint goals and project deadlines
  • Facilitate agile ceremonies, including daily stand-ups, sprint planning, sprint reviews, and retrospectives and t-shirt size estimations, while also providing guidance and support to help team members participate effectively
  • Be responsible for JIRA maintenance and collaborate with the Product Owner to ensure requirements are well articulated, clearly defined and understood by the team
  • Work with the Product Owner to refine and prioritize the product backlog, and ensure that requirements are clearly defined and understood by the team
  • Conduct regular team assessments to identify areas for improvement and suggesting corrective measures
  • Train and mentor team members on agile methodologies, tools, and techniques, including Scrum ceremonies and Agile principles
  • Identify and mitigate project risks and issues, while also fostering a culture of continuous improvement and encouraging team members to share ideas and best practices
  • Effectively communicate the Scrum status and progress to key stakeholders
  • Be responsible for the growth path of the members in the Scrum team

Qualifications and Experience

Essential:
  • First level Scrum Master certification (CSM, PSM I)
  • Experience playing the Scrum Master role for at least 2 years for a software development team that was diligently applying Scrum principles, practices, and theory
  • Good skills and knowledge of facilitation, situational awareness, conflict resolution, continual improvement including working collaboratively with cross functional teams
  • Knowledge of techniques for filling in the gaps in the Scrum approach on a need basis – e.g.: burndown techniques, multiple retrospective formats, bug triaging, PI planning, etc.
  • Knowledge of other Agile approaches: XP, Kanban, Crystal, FDD, etc.

Desirable:

  • Second level Scrum Master certification (CSP, PSM II)
  • Knowledge and/or experience with widely successful Agile techniques: User Stories, ATDD, TDD, Continuous Integration, Continuous Testing, Pairing, Automated Testing, Agile Games
  • Applicable knowledge of the technology frameworks and tech-stack used by the team

Compensation & Benefits

Vera Solutions offers competitive compensation (including benefits), commensurate with experience and cost of living.

Paid Time Off

38 days of paid leave each year, including local and company-wide holidays and a December break.

Health Care

Vera covers 100% of medical, dental, and visual plan premiums.

Retirement

Vera offers a retirement plan and contribution matching to all of its staff.

Getaway Benefit

An annual stipend to spend on travel and physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Student Loans

To help employees with outstanding student loans, Vera offers a Student Loan Benefit.

Child Care

In addition to robust paid parental leave, Vera assists with the costs of child care.

Wellness Leave

We do not cap sick leave. If you’re sick, we hope you get better!

How to Apply

To apply, fill out the online application (attaching CV). Please contact [email protected] with any additional questions.

This position has been filled, but we're still hiring for a number of exciting roles.

What makes Vera such a great place to work?

Our Values

In everything we do, we’re guided by our core values: Excellence, Sustainability, Teamwork, Leadership, and Impact

Our Mission

As a certified B Corporation, we meet the highest social and environmental standards in pursuit of our mission.

Our Global Team

Our wonderfully diverse team spans 5 continents and speaks more than 15 different languages.

Growth Opportunities

We are invested in and committed to making training, learning, and development one of Vera’s signature strengths.

Diversity & Inclusion

We value our culture of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We bring our full selves to work and position each other to thrive.

Rising Leaders Program

We run an annual leadership development initiative for emerging leaders at Vera.