Release Train Engineer

Overview:

Leads the standing up of a new Agile Release Train (ART) within Engineering Excellence, providing servant leadership and coaching to a program-level ART consisting of multiple cross-functional agile teams. Drives the effective application of Agile principles, including Program Increment (PI) planning and Scrum of Scrums, to enable the delivery of high-value outcomes. Ensures all ART teams are positioned to deliver value to the Company, maintains transparency into program delivery predictability and forecasting, and keeps all stakeholders and team members informed of the ART’s progress. As part of the engineering excellence leadership team, will be responsible for helping build a community of engineers and engineering advocates. Supports ART teams by removing impediments, maintaining a focus on delivering value, and ensuring the program backlog is clearly defined and prioritized. Proactively mitigates risks and dependencies, keeps the program on track, and fosters a culture of continuous improvement to ensure the successful delivery of value for the organization.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Organize and facilitate program level communication and ceremonies, including PI planning events, Scrum of Scrums, ART Synchs (synchronizations) and retrospective ceremonies.

• Work closely with Senior Product Owners to ensure alignment on the value of features, facilitate the intake of work, prioritize the program backlog and distribute work to the teams within the ART.

• Keep stakeholders informed of the ART’s progress utilizing program level reporting, tools and dashboards to ensure alignment with program objectives and overall vision of the organization.

• Ensure successful delivery of value by enabling program level transparency, predictability, forecasting and coordinating release planning activities.

• Manage risks, facilitate alignment, provide transparency, identify dependencies and remove impediments within the ART.

• Lead and coach Scrum Masters within the ART.

• Influence senior leaders and coach the ART teams to ensure use of Agile practices and principles.

• Work with other RTEs across the organization to resolve process issues and optimize execution based on key metrics and performance indicators.

• Participate within and grow Agile Communities of Practice to foster continuous improvements to agile practices and delivery.

• Exercise usual authority of a manager concerning staffing, performance appraisals, promotions, salary recommendations, performance management and terminations.

• Understand and adhere to the Company’s risk and regulatory standards, policies and controls in accordance with the Company’s Risk Appetite.  Design, implement, maintain and enhance internal controls to mitigate risk on an ongoing basis.  Identify risk-related issues needing escalation to management.

• Promote an environment that supports diversity and reflects the M&T Bank brand.

• Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable.

• Complete other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Required:

Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 7 years’ experience working at the program level across multiple cross-functional teams, with a focus on work prioritization, removal of obstacles and leading communication with stakeholders to ensure successful delivery of value for the organization, or in lieu of a degree, a combined minimum of 11 years’ higher education and/or work experience, including a minimum of 7 years’ experience working at the program level across multiple cross-functional teams, with a focus on work prioritization, removal of obstacles and leading communication with stakeholders to ensure successful delivery of value for the organization

Minimum of 2 years’ proven managerial, supervisory and/or work leadership experience

Education and Experience Preferred:

Minimum of 5 years’ experience as a member of an agile team

Minimum of 3 years’ experience as a Scrum Master and/or Product Owner

Depth of knowledge in an IT execution role (e.g., Scrum Master, Release Train Engineer or Product Owner)

Proven track record of success executing in a scaled Agile environment

Prior experience with program level reporting

Prior experience fostering team self-organization and continuous improvement

Knowledge of Agile and Lean principles and practices

Experience developing/managing digital capabilities

Understanding of Design Thinking principles

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Prior experience leading through influence

M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $115,703.73 - $192,839.55 Annual (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation.

LocationBuffalo, New York, United States of America