Senior Agile Project Manager

Who We Are:

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.

JOB MISSION

With an eye toward the future, New Balance is highly invested in ensuring we continually operate on the cutting edge of the industry. The Sr Agile Project Manager (APM) role is everything an Agile Project Manager (APM) entails, in addition to leading more complex programs and initiatives which are more focused on a specific outcome or improvement. This could span one or three programs, projects, or teams. Sr APM should proactively identify and guide the team (with the team) to better practices and pursue relentless improvements. This role is also to coach and mentor team members, as well as assist with other programs where needed.

You will foster an environment of teamwork and empowerment and accountability utilizing technical agile understanding and interpersonal skills to unleash the full potential of your teams. As a member of the PMO to participate, contribute, collaborate, and lead resolutions within the PMO organization.

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Collaborate with Digital Product, Engineering, Stakeholders and Business Owners to execute and effectively deliver on designated program / project / initiatives within the agreed upon methodology (agile or traditional) - accountable for leading projects, delivering value incrementally, and adapting to changing circumstances.
• Provide overall oversight and governance using designated tooling, and to do so with infusing agile mindset/culture.
• As needed within an agile methodology, provide full Scrum Master duties for facilitating our NB IT best in class agile practices / agile ways of working.
• Foster iterative process improvements and collaborative conversations.
• Promote consistent estimating practices for predictability/planning and resulting agile performance metrics.
• Proactively identify and manage project RAID: risks, dependencies, and issues (and related mitigation plans); escalate in a clear and timely manner as appropriate
• Participate and contribute to collaborative Agile Sync
• Demonstrated competency, alignment, and in-depth functional knowledge / experience within the business organization being supported.
• Ability to assess process maturity of PMO teams, propose and coach improvements.
• In depth expertise of hybrid working methodologies (Agile - More traditional) and the related process, tooling, metrics, and artifacts.
• Mentor / Coach early in role Agile Project Managers (APM).
• Introduction of stretch goal topics for team development.
• Ability to contribute and collaborate to address enterprise needs within the PMO.
• Ability to guide and execute cross-function / in line with broader / long range plans.
• Partner with Product Managers, Product Owners, and Business Partners to manage all aspects from requirements definition to post-implementation support, using industry standards and best practices
• Oversee existing Agile processes and coaches the team to mature their delivery
• Lead daily scrum events among teams
• Coordinate internal resources and work with third party vendors
• Monitor and report progress of the project to IT management, proactively identifying any project risks or issues and escalating them when appropriate
• Guide teams to find solutions that are effective and meet business needs

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS

• B.S. in a relevant technical field
• 5-7 years in an Agile context - Agile Project Manager (APM), Product Management, or Product Engineering role
• Agile certifications required (scrum master, product owner, coach, facilitation, etc)
• Understanding of traditional/waterfall project management approach; PMP Certification or project management certifications a plus
• Exposure to one or more relevant domain areas such as data & analytics, product, merchandising, retail, marketing, manufacturing, or supply chain preferred
• Comfortable leveraging AI tools to reduce administrative overhead and improve team effectiveness
• Demonstrated influence without authority
• Experience with Azure DevOps (ADO) tooling preferred

Regular Associate Benefits

Our products are only as good as the people we hire, so we make sure to hire the best and treat them accordingly. New Balance offers a comprehensive traditional benefits package including three options for medical insurance as well as dental, vision, life insurance and 401K. We also proudly offer a slate of more nontraditional perks - opportunities like online learning and development courses, tuition reimbursement, $100 monthly student loan support and various mentorship programs - that encourage our associates to grow personally as they develop professionally. You'll also enjoy a yearly $1,000 lifestyle reimbursement, 4 weeks of vacations, 12 holidays and generous parental leave, because work-life balance is more than just a buzzword - it's part of our culture.

Temporary associates are provided three options for medical insurance as well as dental and vision insurance and an associate discount.

Part time associates are provided 401k, short term disability, a yearly $300 lifestyle reimbursement and an associate discount.

Flexible Work Schedule

For decades we have fostered a unique culture founded on our values with a particular focus on in-person teamwork and collaboration. Our North American hybrid model encourages rich in-person experiences, showcasing our commitment to teamwork and connection, while maintaining flexibility for associates. New Balance Associates currently work in office three days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday). Our offices are fully open, and amenities are available across our North American office locations. To continue our focus on hybrid work we have introduced "Work from Anywhere" (WFA) for four weeks per calendar year. This model will help us enhance our culture while continuing to maintain elements of flexibility.

Equal Opportunity Employer

New Balance provides equal opportunities for all current and prospective associates to ensure that employment, training, compensation, transfer, promotion and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment are provided without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, handicap, genetic information and/or status as an Armed Forces service medal veteran, recently separated veteran, qualified disabled veteran or other protected veteran, or any other protected status.