VP, Release Train Engineer

Job Description:

Role Summary/Purpose:

The VP, Release Train Engineer will be responsible for coaching the agile teams within the Data & Analytics Technology team that are supporting Synchrony’s Public Cloud Migration strategic initiative.  This role is responsible for facilitating ART level processes and cadence, collaborating with ART team members, business owners, stakeholders, internal/external dependency teams, and vendors.  Additionally, this role will support continuous development and delivery based on the Product Vision, Roadmap, and PI commitments.   

This role will be part of the Data & Analytics Technology team delivering data needs for our customers, partners, and business processes. This team focuses on the creation and storage of information throughout its lifecycle, offering best in class analytic platforms to enable analyst & application consumption​.

Our Way of Working

We’re proud to offer you choice and flexibility. At Synchrony, our way of working allows you to have the option to work from home, near one of our Hubs or come into one of our offices. Occasionally you may be required to commute to our nearest office for in person engagement activities such as business or team meetings, training and culture events.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Anchor and effectively apply the Agile Manifesto, SAFe core values, Lean-Agile mindset and SAFe principles to lead multiple high-performing, cross-functional agile scrum/Kanban teams as the RTE supporting Synchrony’s data platforms.

• Facilitate Agile Release Train Processes & Events that align with SYF’s Public Cloud Migration and utilize Scaled Agile Methodology

• Facilitate Pre PI-Planning reviews and the PI Planning Events with the Data Leadership team that align to the vision & roadmaps

• Effectively communicate, interact, and provide transparency to our stakeholders and leadership on PI commitments status, roadblocks & or scope changes through Synchrony’s Public Cloud Migration cadences and the Data Solution Train cadences

• Educate and coach lean agile practices & mindsets through process reviews, training, and SYF defined agile metrics

• Partner with cross-functional teams as required throughout agile lifecycle  

• Oversee staffing needs existing, new, future, and offboarding via multiple internal tools & platforms ensuring it aligns with the yearly budget

• Manage annual budget for agile teams, opening Purchase Orders for costs, approving monthly invoices, tracking actuals against forecast, and completing capitalization requirements as required.

• Manage dependencies, escalate & remediate risks and support prioritization of any scope changes that are introduced

• Partner and align with External Dependency team/s and Third Party vendors  to deliver PI Commitments are scope aligned, on target, and within budget

• Collaborate with the Office of Agile & Communities of Practice on processes, cadence, and tooling

• Drive continuous improvements and  optimize the flow of value for the ART through learnings from build/run reviews, Inspect and Adapt workshops, and retrospectives

• Perform other program management duties and/or special projects as assigned

 Qualifications/Requirements: 


• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 7 years of technology experience or in lieu of degree High School diploma/GED 9 years of technology experience

• Minimum of 5 years leading Agile teams in SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) is required

• Experience in leading multiple Scrum Teams that involve Cross functional team members

• Must be CSM/SAFe Certified

• Experience in People/Vendor management

Desired Characteristics:

• Experience working with traditional data warehouses and big data platforms

• Experience managing offshore resources, organizing and motivate large cross-functional teams.

• Experience managing projects in large banking and financial services companies

• Strong business acumen and superior decision-making skills.

• Superior oral and written communication skills, as well as the ability to manage expectations of the business, clients, team members, management and external groups.

• Strong cross-functional team player with the ability to work seamlessly across a matrix organization.

• Creativity, enthusiasm and energy with a strong customer "can do" attitude and result oriented.

• Hands on, self-motivated professional style with the ability to effectively prioritize m