Job Description

THE OPPORTUNITY: 

The Senior IT Project Manager/ Release Train Engineer is seasoned in program management with strong organizational change management skills and knows how to deliver large complex programs. The candidate we bring in will have phenomenal communication skills, and expertise within digital transformation and global technology. This person will have substantial, demonstrated experience in an Agile, Scaled Agile, and program model structure. This role requires a candidate who is strong at building relationships across functions to align strategies and drive execution. This person will be a strategic problem solver with an ability to prioritize multiple and competing priorities while driving a plan to execution. 

PURPOSE Mattel is looking for a Release Train Engineer who is a servant leader for the Agile Release Train (ART). RTE's major responsibilities are to facilitate the ART events and processes and assist the teams in delivering value. Communicate with stakeholders, escalate impediments, help manage risk and drive relentless improvement. Assist the Agile PMO and the organization in delivering customer centric high-quality value thru independent ARTs. We want someone who is passionate about Agile and Lean methodologies and pushes for continuous improvement [Kaizen]. You must be comfortable working in a fast paced, iterative, and fun environment, lead the ART, help influence teams achieve high performance.

WHAT YOUR IMPACT WILL BE: 

• You have a deep passion around agility; ability to unlock the intrinsic motivation, potential of people; help them understand the agile values, principles, mindset behind the practices; bring-in transparency and visibility; help in planning, executing, and deploying high quality software on time.
• Strong experience in agile transformation in large, matrix, geographically dispersed and virtual teams; successfully integrating agile approaches across various disciplines and stakeholder groups.
• In the past played the role of a RTE (aka Program Manager) and helped Scrum, Kanban, XP teams using Scaled Agile Framework.
• Expert in influencing and driving internal teams, remote teams, and vendor partner teams to operate in a fast paced and exciting environment, develop and release high quality product in an iterative and continuous fashion.
• A strong team player, mentor, and collaborator. You will work with scrum, Kanban, and program teams to help them improve in needed areas and teach/coach them to run agile practices autonomously and help create high performing teams.
• A strong facilitator who can help teams, programs (Agile Release Trains) and portfolio assess their agile maturity and identify continuous growth opportunities.
• A strong influencer who can get work done as a servant leader.
• Collaborate with Scrum Master, Release Train Engineer, Solution Train Engineer, and assist with internal and external communication, improving transparency, and radiating information.
• Collaborate with Product Management, Solution Management, UX Team, System Architects, Teams, and Engineering Leadership Team to refine and maintain portfolio, solution, program, and team backlog.
• Actively collaborate with Agile Coaches in the roll-out of Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), understand and help resolve the challenges, dependencies, impediments, program risks and opportunities that exist within ART (Agile Release Train).
• Collaborate very closely within PMO, program leaders and stakeholders during SAFe roll-out.
• Actively encourage the entire ART to participate in their community of practices (CoP) involving SM, PO-PM, and Tech Practices and participate in RTE CoPs.
• Actively coordinate and collaborate with Agile Coaches in getting the entire ART trained in SAFe courses.
• Actively collaborate with Lean Agile Coaches in conducting quarterly health-check across scrum teams and program teams -- build continuous improvement backlogs.
• Facilitate the ART events (Pre-PI Planning, PI Planning, PI Execution - ART Sync-up, System Demo's and Inspect & Adapt), cadence-based Program backlog refinement activity and other customer facing release processes and assist the teams in delivering value on time with high quality.
• Communicate with stakeholders, escalate impediments, help manage risk, and drive relentless improvement.
• Actively drive or steer ARTs -- operate most effectively as a servant leader.
• Solid grasp of how to scale Lean and Agile practices and understand the unique opportunities and challenges associated with facilitating and continuously aligning a large development program.
• Guide and support the teams and organization in the use of microservices and Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD).
• Knowledge of well documented Lean/Agile patterns and techniques (Burndowns/Ups Retrospectives, Continuous Flow, Cycle Time, Cumulative Flow, Exploratory Testing)
• Overall play the role of a reflective observer, facilitator, enabler, partner, and hands-on expert as needed.

Qualifications

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR: 

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Computer Science preferred or equivalent experience. 
• Minimum 10 years of program management experience with the last 5+ years focused on agile or scaled agile based program management role and running agile practices with an emphasis on continual improvement.
• Previous experience with medium to large projects in Retail / Consumer Products Companies is a plus
•  Previous cloud experience and large-scale transformation initiatives preferred.
• SAFe RTE 4.x or 5.x certified is preferred.
• SAFe Scrum Master and/or SAFe Advance Scrum Master certifications are preferred.
• SPC 4.x or 5.x -- Scaled Agile certification is preferred; prior experience in rolling out SAFe is preferred.
• ScrumMaster certification (CSM) is preferred; other agile certifications (ICP-ACC, CEC, ACP) in one or more practices Scrum, Lean, Kanban, or similar is a plus.
• Experience using and configuring JIRA, JIRA Align or similar tools including reporting.
• Must possess superior problem-solving skills, be action-oriented and decisive.
• Deep familiarity and understanding of Agile practices, SCRUM, Test Driven Development, & Kanban
• Ability to effectively articulate and present complex concepts, ideas and strategies to senior leadership and end-users.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to work under pressure to balance competing priorities in meeting business deadlines.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation and interpersonal communications skills.
• Extensive creativity, drive, high energy level, and the ability to self-manage.

Additional Information

WHAT IT’S LIKE TO WORK HERE:

We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower the next generation to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:

• WE COLLABORATE: Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower.
• WE INNOVATE: At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking.
• WE EXECUTE: We are a performance driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best in class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.

WHO WE ARE:

Mattel is a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest catalogs of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO and MEGA, as well as other popular intellectual properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming, music and live events. We operate in 35 locations and our products are available in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering children to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers. Mattel is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers including minorities, females, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and those of all sexual orientations and gender identities.