Agile Coach (Marketing Experience Required)

Clarion

  • New York City, NY
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 13 days ago
About the Opportunity:Our client is seeking an experienced Agile Coach to support their ongoing Agile transformation. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of Agile methodologies and practices, with a strong ability to facilitate and guide teams through the Agile transformation process. In this role, you will play a crucial part in enhancing project implementation strategies and ensuring effective governance across IT initiatives. Your expertise will help foster an environment of continuous improvement, collaboration, and innovation.TasksRole Overview:The Agile Coach will work directly with the marketing team, which includes roles such as VP/Director of Marketing, Content Marketing Manager, Art Director, Marketing Operations Manager (also Scrum Master), and others. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of coaching Agile within marketing or creative environments, and will be able to build trust, relate to the team’s unique challenges, and drive practical, hands-on adoption of Agile practices.Key Responsibilities:
  • Build strong relationships and credibility with a creative, marketing-focused team
  • Assess current workflows and identify practical Agile improvements tailored to marketing
  • Facilitate workshops, team events, and hands-on coaching sessions (onsite for 1-2 weeks, then remote)
  • Introduce and support practical tools for work visualization, capacity planning, and WIP management
  • Help the team understand and experience the value of Agile, overcoming skepticism and resistance
  • Collaborate with the Marketing Operations Manager/Scrum Master to reinforce Agile practices
  • Align coaching with the company’s broader Agile transformation vision and practices (Scrum, SAFe)
  • Support Product Owner engagement and, if possible, offer guidance on product ownership in a marketing context
  • Deliver direct, hands-on value with lots of team interaction
Core Objectives for the Agile Coach
  • Build trust and credibility with the marketing team, addressing their skepticism and unique concerns
  • Identify and demonstrate how marketing work can fit within Scrum and/or SAFe frameworks, adapting Agile practices to suit creative workflows
  • Secure the marketing team’s buy-in and active participation in Agile practices, ensuring they see the value and sustainability of the approach
RequirementsMarketing Expertise & Communication RequirementsMust have either:Marketing background/experience in a corporate environment ORDirect, proven experience coaching Agile specifically within marketing or creative teamsMust be able to “speak the language” of marketing—demonstrating fluency with marketing terminology, workflows, and challengesAbility to quickly build trust and credibility with creative professionals by relating to their unique context and needsCandidates without direct marketing experience or a track record of coaching Agile in marketing environments will not be consideredCandidate Requirements:
  • Hands-on experience in marketing or direct experience coaching Agile within marketing teams (required)
  • Deep understanding of marketing workflows, challenges, and terminology
  • Practical, hands-on coaching style—able to “meet the team where they are” and drive real change
  • Track record of building trust and credibility with creative professionals
  • Familiarity with Scrum and SAFe; certifications are a plus but not required
  • Experience with capacity planning, WIP limits, and work visualization in a marketing context
  • Ability to provide and adapt proven Agile templates and materials for immediate use
  • Bonus: Experience supporting Product Owners or product management in marketing teams
Engagement Details:
  • 3 month initial engagement, with potential for extension / future opportunities
  • Initial 1-2 weeks onsitem in San Diego, then fully remote
  • CEO buy-in and strong executive support for this initiative
Clarion

Clarion