Release Train Engineer - Manager

What Is the Role?

The Product & Technology Group (PTG) at Blackbaud is seeking a strategic forward-thinking and experienced Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) Release Train Engineer (RTE) with additional expertise and experience in people management. This dual role will champion the effective use of SAFe within our Agile Release Trains (ARTs) as they support the continuous delivery of large-scale cloud-based software solutions while also contributing to the leadership and development of our team within the Portfolio Management Office (PMO).

The desired candidate will possess exemplary project and program management skills; exhibit strong business acumen and operational excellence; has the proven ability to drive and support predictable and high-quality delivery across a large geographically distributed cross-functional team as they realize the product vision and provide value to the customer. This person will also have a passion for building empowered high-performing teams; driving a culture of continuous improvement; and delivering secure valuable and high-quality solutions to customers.     You will work in an exciting supportive and engaging agile environment where you will be encouraged to expand your skills test your creative boundaries share new ideas and most importantly have fun.

What Is the Product & Technology Group (PTG)?

The Product & Technology Group (PTG) is dedicated to driving innovation fostering best practices and ensuring our teams are equipped with the tools and knowledge to achieve excellence in product and technical delivery. We aim to be at the cutting edge of technology while building a culture of collaboration relentless improvement and growth. Join us as we lead and redefine the future of tech in the social good space.

What You’ll Do – RTE Responsibilities

• Oversee overall delivery for the Agile Release Train (ART) including intake evaluation prioritization planning execution dependency management risk management release management and stakeholder management.

• Plan coordinate and facilitate the major events and ceremonies within SAFe including quarterly PI Planning System Demos and Inspect & Adapt Workshops.

• Partner with the ART’s Product Manager to ensure backlog priorities are adjudicated and that conflicts are resolved prior to and throughout PI execution so the ART can limit WIP drive quality deliver on its commitments and realize business value.

• Be a senior-level agile coach for the Agile Release Train (ART) guiding teams to consistently leverage agile values principles practices and ceremonies.

• Manage and optimize the flow of value through the ART using tools like Miro Azure DevOps (ADO) Dependency Charts Program Boards and the Program Kanban.

• Resolve and escalate ART impediments manage ART-level risks and drive relentless improvement across the ART.

• Foster a safe collaborative environment where teams can deliver on commitments while feeling empowered to surface issues openly and honestly.

• Ensure clear communication and alignment between agile teams Product Managers Product Owners System Engineers Architects Business Stakeholders Partners Suppliers and other dependent teams (may include waterfall delivery teams and agile teams who do not live on the ART).

• Gather data from multiple sources synthesize metrics generate key insights communicate ART-level data within the train and across the business.

• Partner with other ART leaders to support the ART’s budget and spending through forecasting resource allocation and monitoring of spend.

What You’ll Do – People Management Responsibilities

• Lead mentor coach and grow a team of agile PMO professionals.

• Oversee your team’s performance manage conflicts promote continuous learning and professional growth/development.

• Collaborate with Human Resources (HR) and other departments for activities related to recruiting onboarding coaching and training.

• Promote a positive and inclusive work environment while upholding company values and culture.

• Contribute to the strategic direction of the Portfolio Management Office (PMO) holistically while aligning to enterprise and department-level goals.

• Positively represent the value the PMO brings in organizational forums while fostering a culture of togetherness adaptability continuous improvement and innovation.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams ensuring alignment and effective communication.

• Engage with executive leaders and other stakeholders to ensure successful delivery.

What We’re Looking For

• Certified SAFe Program Consultant (SPC) or SAFe Release Train Engineer (RTE) preferred.

• 7+ years of experience supporting cloud-based software development software programs or other technical delivery.

• 5+ years of demonstrated people management and team development experience with a focus on building leading and motivating high-performing teams.

• 3+ years of practical hands-on experience in an RTE role leading a large ART that is dedicated to mission critical programs with complex scope and interdependencies.

• Adept at organizing and leading outcomes-focused large planning and problem-solving sessions.

• Strong technical aptitude to drive accountability and quality outcomes while fostering collaboration across product and engineering teams.

• Experience leveraging synthesizing and clearly articulating agile metrics to glean insights on ART status and maturation.

• Understanding of philosophies and methodologies for implementing agile at scale.

• Experience working in an agile organization especially Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) or other scaling model.

• Experience using agile best practices (i.e. burndown charts engaging retrospective formats defect management well-written User and Enabler Stories Acceptance Test-Driven Development (ATDD) Test-Driven Development (TDD) Behavior-Drive Development (BDD) Continuous Integration / Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) automated testing etc.).

• Experience with Agile collaboration tools (e.g. SharePoint Microsoft Teams Azure DevOps etc.)

What We Offer

• A dynamic role that bridges technical leadership with people management.

• An opportunity to be at the forefront of scaled agile transformation.

• An open safe collaborative inclusive and innovative working environment.

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Blackbaud is a remote-first company which embraces a flexible remote work culture.  Blackbaud supports hiring and career development for all roles from the location you are in today!

Blackbaud is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive work environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion gender gender identity or expression sexual orientation national origin physical or mental disability age or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal state or local law.

To all recruitment agencies: We do not accept unsolicited agency resumes and are not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

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The starting base pay is $101900.00 to $132800.00. Blackbaud may pay more or less based on employee qualifications market value Company finances and other operational considerations.

Benefits Include:

• Medical dental and vision insurance

• Remote-first workforce

• 401(k) program with employer match

• Flexible paid time off

• Generous Parental Leave

• Volunteer for vacation

• Opportunities to connect to build community and belonging

• Pet insurance legal and identity protection

• Tuition reimbursement program