Job Description

The Transformation Office - Consulting - Principal, or Portfolio Coach, is a change agent and servant leader for one or more Portfolios using Fannie Mae’s Enterprise Operating Model (EOM), which anchors on the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). Representing the Agile Center of Excellence and in tandem with Agile Release Train (ART) Coaches, they coordinate with decision makers, teams, and other parts of the organization to optimize value delivery, act on risks and impediments, and foster a culture of transparency and continuous improvement. The Portfolio coach promotes and models the Lean-Agile mindset, and they are expected to have excellent communication and facilitation skills. They must be willing and able to courageously speak the truth, as well as tactfully challenge assumptions and decisions, including those from senior management.

The Portfolio coach should have a strong understanding of Lean-Agile concepts so that they can train and guide ART coaches in their role. SAFe experience is a must, but optimal candidates will also bring with them significant experience in other areas such as finance and technology as well as a strong business acumen. Experience with other scaling frameworks is also desirable. With their domain expertise, the Portfolio coach must balance teaching and mentoring with coaching and facilitation and know when it is most appropriate to apply each. Together with senior management, the Portfolio coach develops strategies to enable transformation or evolution within their domain. They apply their knowledge of common Agile and technical practices, and they also use their creativity and critical thinking skills to develop emerging practices to best optimize the system in which they work and help the Portfolios stay connected to enterprise strategy.

THE IMPACT YOU WILL MAKE The Portfolio Coach role will offer you the flexibility to make each day your own, while working alongside people who care so that you can deliver on the following responsibilities:

• Coordinates the launch and optimization of Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) in accordance with Fannie Mae’s Enterprise Operating Model (EOM) with a focus on improving outcomes.
• Implements Portfolio maturity using Fannie Mae’s Enterprise Operating Model Maturity Assessment.
• Expertise in Facilitation Techniques and Communication with Senior and Executive leadership.
• Trains and mentors ART coaches and Release Train Engineers to facilitate the preparation, execution, and post-work for PI Planning, including management of PI Objectives.
• Trains and mentors Portfolio Owners to drive strategy through the creation of Epics
• Trains and coaches senior leaders in Lean-Agile practices and mindsets, and how to read and best use common Agile metrics.
• Encourages collaboration across individuals and teams, including those outside of the Portfolio.
• Negotiates solutions to problems, persuades others, and resolves conflicts and challenges within the Portfolio.
• Works with senior management to ensure delivery is aligned with product and organizational strategy through a combination of vision, roadmaps, OKRs, and work hierarchy (Epics, Features, Stories) using the chosen systems of record.
• Supports the creation of OKRs and Epics, as well as tracking their progress during Portfolio ceremonies.
• Supports the management of risks, impediments, and dependencies.
• Understands and operates within budgetary and organizational guardrails.
• Understands and can work with Porfolios applying technical concepts, such as DevSecOps, Site Reliability Engineering (SRE), Cloud, Architecture, Continuous Integration and Deployment (CI/CD), etc.
• Experience with Agile Lifecycle Tools such as JIRA, Version One, Rall

Qualifications

THE EXPERIENCE YOU BRING TO THE TEAM Minimum Required Skills & Experiences

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent applied experience
• 8+ years working in Agile delivery environments where a scaling framework was applied
• 5+ years serving as an Agile Coach, or equivalent experience serving as a change agent, helping organization plan, manage, and implement SAFe to meet strategic objectives
• 2+ years working with Executive Management leading an Agile Transformation
• Experience implementing Portfolio SAFe
• Demonstrated record of influencing senior leaders, particularly by demonstrating link between corporate strategy and portfolio objectives
• Skilled in presenting information and/or ideas to an audience in a way that is engaging and easy to understand
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Desired Skills & Experiences

• Degree in a technical area of study such as Computer Science
• Certified SAFe Program Consultant (SPC) and Lean Portfolio Management (LPM)
• Experience working and leading teams in a matrixed organization
• Depth of experience managing project plans, resources, and people to ensure successful project completion

Additional Information

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The future is what you make it to be. Discover compelling opportunities at Fanniemae.com/careers. Fannie Mae is an Equal Opportunity Employer, which means we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, personal appearance, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation in the application process, email us at careers_mailbox@fanniemae.com.  

The hiring range for this role is set forth above. Final salaries will generally vary within that range based on factors that include but are not limited to, skill set, depth of experience, certifications, and other relevant qualifications. This position is eligible to participate in a Fannie Mae incentive program (subject to the terms of the program). As part of our comprehensive benefits package, Fannie Mae offers a broad range of Health, Life, Voluntary Lifestyle, and other benefits and perks that enhance an employee’s physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being. See more here.