Scrum Master

Old Mutual is inviting experienced Agile practitioners to contribute to their ongoing digital transformation efforts in Cape Town. As part of a major financial services organisation, this role is centred on fostering an environment where high-performing development teams can thrive while navigating the complexities of large-scale financial projects.

About the role

The successful candidate will take a lead role in facilitating Scrum teams and managing the intricate relationships between various stakeholders, including product owners and business leaders. You will act as the bridge between technical execution and business strategy, ensuring that project roadmaps are aligned with broader digital objectives.

The environment requires a leader who can navigate the nuances of a corporate financial setting while maintaining the flexibility and speed associated with Agile methodologies. You will be responsible for keeping teams focused, removing barriers to productivity, and ensuring that software releases deliver measurable value to the organisation.

Your daily responsibilities will revolve around the facilitation of the Agile lifecycle and the tactical management of project resources. Key focus areas include:

• **Facilitation and Scrum Leadership:** Lead core ceremonies including sprint planning, daily stand-ups, backlog refinement, and retrospectives.
• **Release and Backlog Strategy:** Manage the project backlog to ensure resources are allocated effectively, helping to reduce costs and maximise value delivery.
• **Risk and Dependency Management:** Proactively identify project constraints, dependencies, and risks, developing mitigation strategies and escalating issues when necessary to ensure timelines are met.
• **Culture of Innovation:** Champion creativity within the team by organising hackathons, jam sessions, and brainstorming workshops to drive digital innovation.
• **Performance Monitoring:** Utilise data-driven insights and team metrics to report on performance, continuously seeking ways to improve work quality and delivery speed.
• **Strategic Execution:** Support the deployment of the digital roadmap using design-thinking and Agile principles.

What they're looking for

Old Mutual requires a seasoned professional with a strong grasp of both the theoretical and practical aspects of Agile. Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• **Experience:** A minimum of 5 years of experience serving as a Scrum Master, ideally within the financial services sector.
• **Education:** An NQF Level 7 qualification (Degree, Advanced Diploma, or Postgraduate Certificate).
• **Technical Proficiency:** Extensive knowledge of Agile frameworks such as Scrum, Kanban, and SAFe, alongside hands-on experience with collaboration tools like JIRA and Confluence.
• **Soft Skills:** Exceptional stakeholder management, communication, and negotiation abilities are essential, as you will frequently navigate conflicting priorities between technical teams and business units.
• **Competencies:** A proven track record in resource management, project scheduling, and quality assurance.

For professionals in the South African financial services sector, a Scrum Master role at a major institution like Old Mutual represents a significant career step. These positions typically offer competitive market-related salaries and are often stepping stones into higher-level Agile coaching, programme management, or digital leadership paths. Given the complexity of the industry, candidates with a background in banking, insurance, or fintech are often prioritised. Note that this role falls under the company's Employment Equity plan, reflecting a commitment to building a diverse and representative workforce in line with South African labour legislation.

Minimum Requirements:

• 5 + years’ experience as a Scrum Master in a Financial Services business
• Knowledge of agile methodology and frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, Scaled Agile (SAFe) etc.
• Professional facilitation skills to empower the team through facilitation.
• Understand the value of team metrics and keep track of them to drive team performance.
• Ability to run and facilitate core meetings and activities: Backlog Refinement, Sprint Planning, story writing, sizing, prioritising, Daily standups, Sprint Reviews and Sprint Retrospectives.
• Stakeholder Management, Negotiation & Communication Skills.
• JIRA/Confluence experience (or other relevant tools). Making work visible though a Sprint board.

 

Skills

Adaptive Thinking, Agile Project Management, Backlog Management, Budget Management, Change Management, Executing Plans, Oral Communications, Project Communications Management, Project Estimations, Project Performance Management (PM), Project Quality Assurance, Project Resource Management, Project Schedule Management, Project Scope Management

Competencies

Business Insight

Collaborates

Communicates Effectively

Cultivates Innovation

Decision Quality

Directs Work

Drives Engagement

Drives Results

Education

NQF Level 7 - Degree, Advance Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate or equivalent (Required)

Closing Date

14 November 2026 , 23:59

The appointment will be made from the designated group in line with the Employment Equity Plan of Old Mutual South Africa and the specific business unit in question.

The Old Mutual Story!