VP, Release Train Engineer

Title: VP, Release Train Engineer (L12)

Company Overview: Synchrony (NYSE: SYF) is a leading consumer financing company that has been at the heart of American commerce and opportunity for nearly a century. Synchrony delivers credit and banking products that empower tens of millions of consumers to improve their financial lives and access what matters most. Leveraging innovative solutions that are shaping the future of retail commerce, Synchrony supports the growth and success of some of the nation’s most respected brands, alongside hundreds of thousands of small and midsize businesses, including health and wellness providers. Committed to excellence in service and culture, Synchrony is proud to be named as #3 as a Great Place to Work® in India and is honored to be ranked the #1 Best Company to Work For® in the U.S. by Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work®. For more information, visit www.synchrony.com.

Organizational Overview:

In today's fast-paced business landscape, the ability to adapt quickly and deliver value is paramount. Agile project management has emerged as a transformative approach to project delivery, and behind every successful Agile project, there is a dedicated team that manages the Agile framework with precision and finesse. GOI&T (Global Operations Initiatives & Technology) team has a proven track record of success, and it empowers teams to embrace change and collaborate to achieve results in their projects. The key responsibilities of the team include daily stand ups, sprint planning, sprint review, sprint retrospective and backlog refinement. While they maintain a relentless focus on improving their Agile processes and strive for excellence in project delivery, the GOI&T team can pivot quickly, responding to changing customer needs – consistently delivering value to customers.

Role Summary/Purpose:

The VP, Release Train Engineer will be responsible for leading and coaching Agile Release Train, developing new features & capabilities for Enterprise initiatives. The RTE will also be responsible for driving process improvements for the Train with the goal of increased speed to market of new features and capabilities.

The RTE will work across multiple agile teams with the goal of leading innovative solutions to production. This role is responsible for collaborating with scrum masters, product owners, program manager and business leaders in setting the agile roadmap for this train, driving new innovations, and leading the agile teams to deliver technical capabilities in partnership with other teams within the Organization, including 3rd parties. This role will be responsible for within and cross-train collaboration in planning and managing dependencies across various teams and trains spanning across front end and servicing technologies, ensuring that resources are properly aligned, and dependencies prioritized across the stakeholder group

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead large/enterprise agile initiative, utilizing Scaled Agile Methodology
• Facilitate Program Increments (PIs) events
• Directly manage team of scrum masters on the train
• Lead, manage and direct cross-functional resources (Technology and Business) as required throughout agile lifecycle
• Manage collaboration across agile team's, ARTs, Strategic Initiatives, Dependent teams, 3rd Parties, any other area that aligns with the team's PI Objectives
• Track execution of Features, Capabilities & Epics
• Plan and communicate with business, Technology leadership, and other key stakeholders regarding agile program status, milestones, issue resolution and escalation.
• Manage risks, dependencies and priority or scope changes that are introduced to the ART
• Manage multimillion-dollar budget for the train
• Work with ART Leaders, Product Owners, and other stakeholders to help ensure strategy and execution alignment
• Work with Third Party application providers to ensure project tasks align with delivery dates.
• Coach leaders and teams in lean agile practices and mindset
• Develop effective communication strategy across projects and constituencies
• Drive relentless improvement via Inspect and Adapt workshops; assess the agility level of the ART and help drive improvements
• Perform other duties and/or special projects as assigned

Required Skills/Knowledge:

• Bachelor’s Degree with minimum 8 years of overall experience or in lieu of degree, minimum 10 years of overall experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in developing and implementing information systems.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in project management and/or scrum master with strong understanding of Agile.
• Should be SAFe RTE Certified.

Desired Skills/Knowledge:

• Have strong knowledge of Scaled Agile Framework and have led complex initiatives.

• Have strong servicing business acumen & application product knowledge of servicing technology & associated infrastructure.

• Have a proven track record of leading and executing critical business initiatives.

• Passionate about working with cross geography and cross functional teams to deliver cutting edge features for both client partners and internal teams.

• Have creativity, enthusiasm, and energy with a strong "can do" attitude and are result-oriented.

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

• Proven ability to lead and motivate teams in a matrixed environment
• Strong cross-functional team player with the ability to work seamlessly across a matrix organization.
• Ability to shepherd multiple concurrent priorities to completion without significant guidance.
• Superior decision-making, client relationship, and vendor management experience

Eligibility Criteria:

• Bachelor’s Degree with minimum 8 years of overall experience or in lieu of degree, minimum 10 years of overall experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in developing and implementing information systems

Work Timings: 5 AM EST to 2 PM EST (Preferably Hyderabad as Work Location)

This role qualifies for Enhanced Flexibility offered in Synchrony India and will require the incumbent to be available between 06:00 AM Eastern Time – 11:30 AM Eastern Time (timings are anchored to US Eastern hours and will adjust twice a year locally). This window is for meetings with India and US teams. The remaining hours will be flexible for the employee to choose. Exceptions may apply periodically due to business needs).
We are proud to offer flexibility at Synchrony. Our way of working allows you the option to work from home or workspaces in our Regional Engagement Hubs—Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Pune, Kolkata, or Delhi/NCR.
Occasionally you may be required to commute or travel to Hyderabad or one of the Regional Engagement Hubs for in person engagement activities such as business or team meetings, trainings, and culture events

For Internal Applicants:

• Understand the criteria or mandatory skills required for the role before applying

• Inform your manager and HRM before applying for any role on Workday

• Ensure that your professional profile is updated (fields such as education, prior experience, other skills) and it is mandatory to upload your updated resume (Word or PDF format)

• Must not be any corrective action plan (First Formal/Final Formal, LPP)

• Employees who have completed 18 months in the organization and 12 months in their current role and level are only eligible.
• L10+ Employees are eligible to apply.

Grade/Level: 12

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