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AHEAD

Agile Operations Manager

AHEAD, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290

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Overview

AHEAD builds platforms for digital business. By weaving together cloud infrastructure, automation and analytics, and software delivery, we help enterprises deliver on the promise of digital transformation. We prioritize a culture of belonging where all perspectives are represented, valued, respected, and heard, empowering everyone to speak up, drive change, and shape the culture at AHEAD. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, national origin, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, marital status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law, whether actual or perceived. We embrace all candidates who will contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives at AHEAD. Role

The Agile Operations Manager is a strategic, hands-on leader responsible for advancing agile practices and operational excellence across the IT organization. This role blends agile coaching, delivery facilitation, and operational oversight to support team alignment, process consistency, and measurable outcomes tied to OKRs (Objectives & Key Results). The ideal candidate brings both agile transformation experience and operational leadership skills, with the ability to coach teams and managers, streamline execution rhythms, and drive cross-team alignment through metrics, retrospectives, and feedback loops. Key Responsibilities

Serve as an internal Agile Coach for technology and operations teams, guiding adoption and continuous improvement of Agile frameworks (Scrum, Kanban, SAFe, or hybrid). Partner with team leads and functional managers to establish and maintain consistent operating rhythms, including planning, stand-ups, demos, retros, and backlog refinement. Lead and continuously improve the OKR management process, ensuring team-level OKRs are aligned, visible, and reviewed consistently. Act as a delivery partner to managers and product owners, supporting delivery governance, roadmap cadence, and change adoption. Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Scrum Masters to ensure consistent facilitation of agile practices, cross-team alignment, and continuous improvement in delivery outcomes. Facilitate retrospectives, maturity assessments, and improvement workshops that drive measurable outcomes. Support operational health tracking through metrics dashboards, KPI reporting, and stakeholder updates. Maintain and evolve shared templates, frameworks, and practices for Agile delivery, capacity planning, and intake management. Collaborate cross-functionally with PMO, Business Applications, Product, and Enterprise IT to ensure alignment and communication. Required Qualifications

5+ years of experience in IT operations, internal product management, or business systems teams. 3+ years of experience leading Agile transformations or working as an Agile Coach or Scrum Master. Strong understanding of Agile frameworks (Scrum, Kanban, SAFe) and delivery metrics (velocity, lead time, throughput). Proven ability to coach teams and leaders, manage change, and implement scalable operating models. Experience with OKRs, KPI frameworks, or performance measurement processes. Strong collaboration, facilitation, and communication skills. Proficiency with tools such as Jira and Confluence. Preferred Qualifications

Agile certifications (e.g., ICP-ACC, SAFe Program Consultant, CSM, CSP). Experience in a matrixed or enterprise internal IT environment. Familiarity with ITIL, Lean, or business systems operations. What Success Looks Like

Agile ceremonies are consistently adopted and drive value across teams. OKRs are visible, owned, and aligned across delivery layers. Teams demonstrate measurable improvement in agile maturity and delivery health. Operational noise is reduced, and stakeholder confidence improves. Team feedback loops are embedded in the operating culture. Why AHEAD

We value and benefit from diversity of people, ideas, experience, and everything in between through programs like Moving Women AHEAD and RISE AHEAD. We foster growth by leveraging cutting-edge technology in a multi-million-dollar lab, encouraging cross-department training, and supporting certifications and continued learning. Benefits

USA Employment Benefits include: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance; 401(k); Paid company holidays; Paid time off; Paid parental and caregiver leave; Plus more. See benefits at https://www.aheadbenefits.com/ for details. The compensation range indicated in this posting reflects the On-Target Earnings (OTE) for this role, including base salary and any applicable target bonus. OTE ranges may vary based on experience, qualifications, and geographic location. Helpfully, the information you provide here is secure and confidential. We are directing you to the original job posting. Please apply directly for this job at the employer’s website.

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