Product & Scrum Manager at African Management Institute (AMI)

Job Description

• We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Product Manager to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for managing SCRUM and agile processes across the learning, data, and technical streams within our product team. Reporting to the Product Operations Manager with a strong dotted line to the Tech Product Manager, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams to prioritize, plan, and deliver product features that drive value for our users and stakeholders.
• The Candidate will work closely with both the Product Operations Manager and Tech Product Manager to develop and implement cross-functional Agile project management systems, as well as adapt Agile SCRUM methodologies to suit the learning-focused nature of the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the planning and execution of SCRUM processes across three key portfolios: the Learning Team (learning designers and content team), Tech Team (engineers and QA team), and Data Team (M&E and data warehouse engineers).
• Collaborate closely with the Product Owners of the Data Warehouse and the Tech Product Manager to define product priorities, roadmap, and delivery schedules across the three portfolios.
• Work with cross-functional teams to draft and prioritize user stories, epics, and product backlog items, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and customer needs.
• Work with the Product Operations Manager to develop cross-functional Agile project management systems that align with the organization's goals and objectives.
• Collaborate with the Tech Product Manager to map out and document SCRUM needs and systems, ensuring that they are tailored to the specific requirements of a learning-focused organization.
• Adapt typical Agile SCRUM methodologies to suit the unique needs and challenges of a learning-focused organization, taking into account factors such as iterative content development, educational outcomes, and learner engagement.
• Facilitate sprint planning sessions and backlog grooming sessions to ensure clear understanding of upcoming work items and alignment with sprint goals.
• Monitor sprint progress and remove impediments to ensure timely delivery of high-quality products.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement by identifying process enhancements and implementing best practices to optimize team performance.
• Serve as a liaison between the Product Owners, Tech Product Manager, and cross-functional teams, facilitating communication and resolving conflicts as needed.
• Mentor team members on Agile principles and SCRUM methodologies, empowering them to become self-organizing and high-performing.
• Provide regular updates to stakeholders on project status, risks, and opportunities, ensuring transparency and alignment across the organization.
• Collaborate with the Product Owners and stakeholders to prioritize and refine the product backlog based on feedback and changing requirements.
• Continuously evaluate and refine Agile processes and practices to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and collaboration within the organization.
• Actively participate in Agile and SCRUM community events and forums to stay informed about industry best practices and emerging trends.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in product management or project management roles, with a strong understanding of Agile SCRUM methodologies.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• Certified SCRUM Master (CSM) or equivalent certification preferred.
• Experience working with JIRA, Confluence, Zoho, and other project management and collaboration tools.
• Organized and facilitated Scrum events, such as sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives.
• Extensive project management experience, including prioritizing and estimating issues.
• Experience in requirement gathering, maintaining requirement traceability matrix (RTM), effort estimation, test planning, and managing the functional testing life cycle.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams effectively and stakeholders.

Benefits

• A high-impact, diverse and ambitious team with common values:
• Be the best: We work really hard, are proud of what we do, and love delighting our clients with quality.
• ​Own it: We step up to the task, never pass the buck and hold ourselves accountable for delivering results.
• Push the limits: We ask why, embrace failure and try new things. We never settle.
• Do what’s right: We act with integrity, confront dishonesty, treat people fairly and strive to contribute to the greater good
• Always care: We don’t do ego – it’s always ‘team before me’. We are kind, we celebrate each other’s success, and we care enough to give honest feedback.
• A dynamic office & team life.
• Brand new offices in Westlands, Nairobi
• Monthly team social events and yearly offsite
• Regular learning and coaching opportunities
• A hybrid working model