Scrum Master x 6

Scrum Master - NGED Connections Reform Programme

Client: National Grid
Programme: Ofgem-funded Connections Reform
Function: IT & Digital - Electricity Distribution (NGED)
Positions: 6
Band: D
Contract: Initial 6 months
Location: Predominantly remote, UK-based, with travel as required
Reports to: NGED Lead Scrum Master / Programme Delivery Leadership

1. Role Overview

National Grid is undertaking an Ofgem-funded Connections Reform programme, which is currently in its discovery phase. The programme will involve technology and business delivery across front-end, back-end, DSO and integration teams.

We are seeking six experienced Scrum Masters, each embedded within a dedicated delivery team. These are hands-on, delivery-focused roles combining Agile leadership with strong Product Management, Project Management and delivery coordination capabilities.

The role extends beyond facilitating Scrum ceremonies. Each Scrum Master will act as the day-to-day delivery lead for their team, helping establish effective ways of working, shape delivery plans, manage priorities, track progress and resolve risks and dependencies.

As the programme develops from discovery into delivery, candidates will need to demonstrate the ability to introduce new processes where needed, improve existing practices and use performance data to drive measurable improvements.

Each Scrum Master will focus on their assigned team and report progress, risks, issues and dependencies to the programme-level delivery lead.

1. Key Responsibilities

Agile and Delivery Leadership

• Lead day-to-day delivery activities and establish effective Scrum and/or Kanban practices.
• Facilitate planning, stand-ups, reviews, retrospectives and backlog refinement.
• Maintain team focus, accountability and clear delivery commitments.
• Adapt ways of working as the programme moves from discovery into delivery.

Product and Delivery Management

• Work with Product Owners and Managers to understand product objectives, requirements and priorities.
• Support product backlogs, roadmaps, user stories and acceptance criteria.
• Develop and maintain team delivery plans, sprint plans, milestones and forecasts.
• Coordinate activities, capacity and dependencies, tracking progress against commitments.
• Ensure actions and decisions are owned and followed through.

Risk and Issue Management

• Identify and manage delivery risks, issues and dependencies.
• Develop and track mitigation, resolution and recovery plans.
• Resolve blockers with business and technical stakeholders.
• Escalate significant concerns to programme leadership with clear impact assessments and recommendations.

Performance and Continuous Improvement

• Introduce new delivery processes and improve existing ways of working.
• Use metrics such as throughput, velocity, sprint predictability, lead time, cycle time and defect trends to assess performance.
• Identify bottlenecks and implement improvements to delivery speed, productivity, efficiency and predictability.
• Establish performance baselines and demonstrate measurable improvements.
• Ensure changes are adopted and sustained by the team.

Stakeholder and Team Engagement

• Build strong relationships with Product Owners, technical leads, BAs, developers, testers and programme stakeholders.
• Provide clear reporting on delivery progress, forecasts, risks and performance.
• Encourage collaboration, ownership, constructive challenge and continuous learning.

1. Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Proven experience as a Scrum Master in technology, digital or business change delivery.
• Strong practical knowledge of Scrum and Kanban.
• Experience leading day-to-day delivery, beyond facilitating Agile ceremonies.
• Demonstrable Product Management or Product Ownership experience, including priorities, requirements and backlogs.
• Strong delivery planning skills, including milestones, capacity, forecasting and progress tracking.
• Experience managing risks, issues, dependencies and resolution plans.
• Proven ability to introduce new processes and improve existing delivery practices.
• Experience using delivery metrics and performance data to identify problems and drive improvement.
• Evidence of measurable improvements in delivery speed, productivity, efficiency or predictability.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication and problem-solving skills.
• A proactive, organised and delivery-focused approach, with the confidence to take ownership and escalate concerns.

Desirable

• Experience on large-scale technology or business transformation programmes.
• Utilities, energy or regulated industry experience.
• Experience with complex technology delivery and system integration.
• Familiarity with scaled Agile approaches, including SAFe and PI planning.
• Experience supporting teams through discovery and early-stage delivery.

1. Qualifications

• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), Professional Scrum Master (PSM) or equivalent Agile qualification.
• Advanced certification, such as PSM II, would be advantageous.

1. Working Arrangements

The role is predominantly remote and UK-based. Candidates must be flexible to travel to Bristol, London and the Midlands for programme planning, team meetings and stakeholder sessions, potentially monthly.

Reasonable business travel expenses will be covered in line with company policy.

1. Contract

The initial contract is six months. The programme currently has approved funding until March 2028. Any extension beyond the initial term will depend on programme requirements, funding availability and satisfactory performance; an extension is not guaranteed.

1. Role Structure

• Six Scrum Master positions, each embedded in one dedicated delivery team.
• Teams will cover front-end, back-end, DSO and integration areas, with allocations confirmed as the programme develops.
• Each Scrum Master is accountable for their team's delivery progress, performance, risks and dependencies.
• Issues requiring wider support will be escalated to the programme-level delivery lead.
• No direct or indirect line management or budget responsibility.

1. What We Need to See from Candidates

Candidates must provide practical examples demonstrating:

• Processes they introduced from scratch or improved, and why.
• How they planned and managed team delivery, priorities and milestones.
• How they identified and resolved risks, blockers and dependencies.
• Which performance metrics they used and how they acted on the findings.
• The measurable impact of their changes on delivery speed, productivity, efficiency or predictability.
• Their contribution to product priorities, backlogs and delivery outcomes.

The priority is candidates who can take ownership of team delivery, bring structure to an evolving programme and demonstrate measurable improvements-not simply facilitate Agile ceremonies or describe Agile theory.

TO APPLY - PLEASE APPLY WITH AN UP-TO-DATE CV

Candidates will ideally show evidence of the above in their CV in order to be considered.

Please be advised if you haven't heard from us within 48 hours then unfortunately your application has not been successful on this occasion, we may however keep your details on file for any suitable future vacancies and contact you accordingly.

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