Year experience as Scrum Master and Agile Coach
Mark Anthony Cruz Sr.
Certified Agile Leader | Enterprise Agile Coach
Wesley Chapel,FL
Summary
Dynamic Agile Coach with over 10 years of experience with a proven track record in leading cross-functional programs, aligning business strategy with technology, and driving successful Agile transformations. Skilled in managing complex initiatives across diverse sectors, including Banking, Healthcare, BioMedical, Manufacturing, and Energy, with a focus on schedule, budget, and risk management. Adept at fostering collaboration among teams and stakeholders to develop solutions and ensure seamless communication with senior leadership. Proficient in Agile tools such as Jira, Azure DevOps (ADO), CA Rally and Planview, facilitating transparency and effective management of Agile initiatives. Strong in financial forecasting, risk mitigation, and delivering consistent results while guiding organizations in adopting Lean, Agile, and SAFe principles.
Overview
13
13
9
9
Professional Agile & IT Certifications
25
25
Years of IT experience
Work History
Agile Coach / Sr Scrum Master / RTE
TCS Tata Consultancy Services
Edison, NJ
05.2023 - Current
- Partnered with Executive Leadership to design and implement Agile transformation strategies, driving product management initiatives that aligned with business goals to maximize value delivery.
- Developed and implemented enterprise and program-level Agile transformation solutions for prominent financial institutions, including Big 4 banks, enhancing delivery pipelines and promoting team collaboration.
- Secured complete stakeholder buy-in for enterprise Agile transformation through practical roadmaps, effective KPIs, and product planning frameworks that prioritized deliverables and aligned with the product vision.
- Coordinated diverse technology groups to ensure streamlined project execution, applying agile methodologies to optimize schedules and manage budgets and risks
- Leveraged Azure DevOps (ADO) Jira Align and Confluence to synchronize cross-functional ARTs in Agile practices, boosting project delivery speed and efficiency by employing tactful stakeholder engagement strategies
- Optimized agile risk management procedures through data analytics, yielding a 20% reduction in project impediments and increased team alignment
- Applied strategic engagement techniques to maintain consistent alignment with senior leadership, resulting in a 35% increase in realized business value
- Managed the scope definition process for multiple Agile Release Trains, aligning project objectives with stakeholder expectations and reducing project delays by 15% through effective use of Jira Align
- Conducted workshops and training for over 100 employees to build internal product management expertise, focusing on scaling Agile frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, and SAFe across teams.
- Mentored leaders, teams, and Scrum Masters within the Agile Release Train, enabling them to integrate product roadmaps and manage dependencies for streamlined product planning and execution.
Enterprise Agile Coach / Agile Project Manager / RTE
Lennar Homes
Miami, FL
03.2022 - 05.2023
- Led the organizational transition effectively by applying a blend of proven Waterfall and Agile methodologies as both Project Manager and Agile Coach, guiding change across all echelons—from the C-suite to middle management and cross-functional teams, including agile software development
- Established and managed the Agile Center of Excellence, facilitating Community of Practice sessions for Product Owners and Scrum Masters to enhance collaboration and promote best practices in product planning and portfolio management.
- Designed a custom Agile framework integrating SAFe, Scrum, Kanban, and Lean elements, optimizing the
product development lifecycle for improved delivery efficiency and strategic alignment with product goals.
Facilitated and Managed PI Planning for Agile Release Trains (ART's) across the organization. - Facilitated quarterly planning, collaborating with Product Management to ensure product strategies effectively drove delivery, managing dependencies, and aligning product planning with customer needs.
- Implemented Power Platform/SharePoint Online strategies that decreased manual activities by 25%, utilizing cutting-edge low-code applications to elevate enterprise-wide cooperation
- Introduced Agile workflows that increased efficiency by 30%, strengthening GRC compliance reporting frameworks and corporate governance
- Guided cross-functional teams and Product Leads in defining and improving lean business cases for Epics,
ensuring strategic alignment with product roadmaps and value streams. - Designed and delivered Power BI dashboards and performance reports, providing stakeholders with real-time visibility into key metrics such as delivery health, program maturity, and compliance adherence
- Directed cross-functional teams in integrating Agile methods into PDLC, increasing release reliability by 15% across three quarters, while leveraging Jira and Confluence for enhanced collaboration and documentation
- Aligned stakeholder priorities and improved release predictability by 20% through effective release plan updates utilizing Jira and Confluence over four quarters
- Developed training materials to support team members in agile methodologies and best practices.
Principal Consultant / Agile Coach / Delivery Lead
Cognizant Technologies Solutions
Teaneck, NJ
10.2017 - 03.2022
- Delivered customized Agile transformation workshops in finance and manufacturing using Jira and Confluence, achieving a 30% enhancement in team collaboration.
- Led Agile transformations for Banking and Financial Services clients, including Discover Financial Services,
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, and BNY Mellon, aligning Agile delivery with market demands and business objectives. - Oversaw the development of Power Platform/SharePoint Online solutions to streamline workflows, automate processes, and enhance cross-departmental collaboration, achieving a 20% improvement in team productivity
- Spearheaded the transition from Waterfall to Scrum for teams, improving product delivery across 25+ projects by optimizing product planning and roadmaps to streamline development processes and align with market needs.
- Strengthened GRC frameworks by introducing Agile principles to compliance and risk management processes, ensuring adherence to regulatory policies and improving reporting accuracy
- Mentored senior executives and software development teams on Agile frameworks (Scrum, Kanban, DevOps,
and SAFe), integrating product strategies that improved collaboration and transparency across teams. - Improved data analytics operations by leveraging Jira dashboards to track progress and key metrics, reducing rework and delivery times by three months.
- Championed the adoption of PPM tools (Azure Dev-Ops, Jira, Jira Align) to drive collaboration, improve transparency, and achieve 15% increased velocity with 100% on-time delivery for high-priority projects.
- Addressed project challenges by implementing tailored Agile strategies, resulting in a three-month reduction in delivery timelines and enhanced project transparency through effective use of Jira Align
- Defined norms and agreements for the Agile Release Train, ensuring alignment across teams and maintaining accountability to product timelines and business goals.
- Led client engagement strategies to enhance project delivery and improve customer satisfaction.
- Developed comprehensive solutions leveraging cloud technologies to optimize operational efficiency for clients.
- Evaluated business processes, identifying inefficiencies and recommending targeted improvements.
Agile Coach / Scrum Master
AgileThought LLC
Tampa, FL
09.2016 - 11.2017
- Served as an Agile Coach and Scrum Master for AgileThought LLC (currently MOTIVUS) within their Agile Consultancy practice.
- Conducted tailored Agile training for 40 teams, resulting in a 20% reduction in backlog item delivery time over two months, focusing on enhancing
efficiency in agile software development processes. - Facilitated the adoption of agile practices across 40 teams by tailoring workshops, achieving a 20% reduction in backlog delivery time using (TFS) Team Foundation Server / Azure DevOps and SharePoint
- Boosted velocity (25%) and reduced defect rate (15%) for 3 scrum teams through agile techniques and process improvements in the realm of agile software development.
- Partnered with Product Owners, SMEs, and development teams to identify process improvements, reducing release time by 15% in the context of agile software development
- Coordinated vendor collaboration through Agile methods, enabling a 25% decrease in SaaS integration timelines via Azure DevOps
- Resolved project issues utilizing Scrum backlog and collaborated with stakeholders to ensure delivery quality and timelines in agile software development projects.
- Coordinated sprint planning sessions to align team goals with organizational objectives.
Lead Consultant - Delivery Manager - Sr. Scrum Master
Rulesware LLC | Healthfirst
New York, NY
03.2016 - 09.2016
- Spearheaded a Scrum pilot at a healthcare client within data analytics that improved collaboration between business and IT, leading to the entire Analytics department’s Agile adoption utilizing Jira to track progress and enhance transparency.
- Teamed up with Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and PMO to refine Scrum application, achieving a 120% velocity increase and 40% more completed work items with a 60% reduction in work items in progress.
- Guided Scrum teams in agile transformations, resulting in a 10% boost in employee satisfaction, 20% lower turnover, and 50% higher team productivity via Scrum
- Implemented bi-monthly retrospectives for a 10-consultant team, fostering productivity, communication, and autonomy, using Jira reports to track action items and improvements
- Facilitated scaled agile understanding and adoption, helping teams achieve annual OKRs and implementing agile best practices
- Managed program-level activities across various areas, implementing Scrum methodology to improve project delivery
Sr. Scrum Master / Agile PM
Cognizant Technologies Solutions
Teaneck, NJ
12.2015 - 03.2016
- Implemented strategies to facilitate collaboration between teams while following agile and scrum methodologies, resulting in increased development throughput with 92% of tickets delivered on time
- Facilitated both sprint planning and sprint retrospectives for the team, identifying impediments, contributing towards their resolution, and applying
product planning and tracking techniques. - Streamlined the software development lifecycle by implementing lean agile and delivery methods and managing communication between all stakeholders.
- As a scrum master for the Banking Services Technology team, implemented cross-functional collaboration, collective ownership, and iterative development in order to increase team productivity by 15% and reduce technical debt by 20%.
- Advocated for agile methodologies, driving organizational change initiatives to enhance overall efficiency.
Agile Coach / Scrum Master
4 Corners Resources | WellCare Health Plans
Tampa, FL
04.2015 - 12.2015
- Assigned as Agile Coach / Scrum Master to WellCare Health Plans, Inc
- Spearheaded a Scrum pilot at a healthcare client within data analytics that improved collaboration between business and IT, leading to the entire Analytics department’s Agile adoption utilizing Jira to track progress and enhance transparency.
- Optimized a multi-million-dollar program, aligning Salesforce and Pega Systems, advancing the first product launch by 6 months using story mapping designing thinking technique.
- Led Scrum pilot at healthcare client within data analytics that improved collaboration between business and IT, leading to the entire Analytics department's Agile adoption.
- Implemented agile methodologies for release-level success, enabling four scrum teams to achieve project milestones for PEGA systems intuition in a condensed timeline of 3 months.
- Facilitated daily stand-ups, sprint planning meetings, and sprint reviews to increase team velocity by 10% and team morale by 50% using Agile techniques and Scrum Ceremonies.
- Managed program-level activities across various areas, applying Scrum methodology to enhance project delivery.
Sr. Scrum Master - Technology
DISYS | American Express
Tampa, FL
03.2014 - 04.2015
- Contractor with DISYS assigned as Scrum Master to American Express Serve Presentation Layer Web Onboarding Team
- Successfully guided the Scrum Team to triple its average velocity within the first two months after assuming the role of Scrum Master for the team.
- Fostered effective collaboration among cross-functional teams, resulting in a 10% rise in successful sprint completions.
- Proficiently utilized the CA Rally agile program and project tool to streamline project management processes, enhance team communication, and improve overall visibility throughout the development lifecycle.
- Facilitated collaboration across a 50-person technology team, effectively delivering over 20 software iterations on schedule across two years with a 15% productivity improvement by applying Agile methodologies and Scrum principles.
- Facilitated Scrum framework – sprint planning, backlog grooming, daily scrums, sprint reviews, and sprint retrospectives.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Digital Communications And Media
SUNY College At Old Westbury
Old Westbury, NYCareer Highlights
- Successfully led the implementation of Agile methodologies, resulting in improved efficiency and promoting collaboration among teams.
- Mentored teams on Agile best practices, resulting in increased productivity and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Spearheaded multiple Agile Release Trains, aligning product management strategies to seamlessly meet and exceed business objectives.
- Guided teams through Agile transformations, ensuring a smooth transition and alignment with organizational goals and values.
- Developed strategies to adapt organizational structures to support Agile methodologies, fostering a culture of adaptability and innovation.
- Built the Agile Center of Excellence, hosting Communities of Practice (COP) sessions for Product Owners and Scrum Masters to foster knowledge sharing, refine best practices, and drive team development.
- Launched and facilitated over 20+ Agile Release Trains (ARTs) across financial, biomedical, and technology clients, driving predictable value delivery and alignment to business strategy.
- Delivered hybrid project management of Agile and Waterfall workstreams, increasing program delivery efficiency by 25% and reducing release cycles by 30% at Lennar Homes and Cognizant.
- Facilitated enterprise-wide Big Room Planning events and coached 100+ stakeholders across business, PMO, and tech on Lean-Agile principles, achieving 70% faster alignment on quarterly priorities.
Certification
- Certified SAFe® Program Consultant (SPC 6.0)
Scaled Agile Inc • 2022 - Certified SAFe® Release Train Engineer (RTE 6.0)
Scaled Agile Inc • 2024 - SAFe® Enabled - Certified Ready to Train
Scaled Agile Inc • 2022 - Certified SAFe® Scrum Master (SSM 6.0)Scaled Agile Inc • 2024
- Certified SAFe® Product Owner/Product Manager (POPM 6.0) Scaled Agile Inc • 2022
- Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) - Scrum Alliance.
- Certified Scrum Product Owner® (CSPO®)
Scrum Alliance • 2015 - ICAgile Certified Professional (ICP)
ICAgile • 2015
Industry Skills
- Frameworks and Methodologies: Proficient in implementing the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) methodology adept at Agile practices including Scrum, Kanban, Waterfall.
- Agile Tools: Jira, Jira Align, Confluence, Azure DevOps, Rally PPM, Planview.
- Data Visualization: Power BI.
- Development Practices: CI/CD pipelines, Agile Risk Management, GRC Compliance.
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Accomplishments
- Managed complex, cross-functional programs across Banking, Financial Services, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Energy sectors, leading large-scale Agile rollouts and improving predictability by 75%. Launched and managed over 20 Agile Release Trains (SAFe ARTs), overseeing schedules, budgets, risk management, and program-level reporting for Fortune 500 companies.
- Collaborated with subject matter experts, stakeholders, and business teams to develop solutions, leveraging Confluence to document processes, create collaborative spaces, and enhance communication, improving team efficiency.
- Identified and eliminated waste through Lean Six Sigma principles, driving significant.
Skills
- Facilitating Scrum ceremonies
- Removing obstacles
- Promoting agile practices
- Fostering collaboration
- Shielding the team
- Coaching and mentoring
- Stakeholder communication and management
- Release planning
- PI Facilitation and Planning
- Development team trainings
- Lean principles
- Stakeholder management
- Software development lifecycle
- Project management
- Product lifecycle management
- Agile frameworks
- Cross-functional coordination
- Team motivation
- Workflow Analysis
- Agile best practices
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse
Affiliations
- NYC Agile Coaches Circle Meetup group
- Scaled Agile SPC's Group
- Agile Leadership Network Meetup group
- Tampa Bay Scrum Masters Guild
- Tampa Bay Product Group
Quote
“Improvise, adapt, and overcome”
US Marie Corps
Software
AtlassianmJira and Jira Align
Azure DevOps
Rally PPM
Planview PPM
MS Project
Atlassian Confluence
MS Teams
Power BI
Salesforce
PEGA Systems
Interests
Podcasting
Public Speaking
Coaching
Photography and Video Content Creating
Fantasy Football
Pickleball
Timeline
Agile Coach / Sr Scrum Master / RTE
TCS Tata Consultancy Services
05.2023 - Current
Enterprise Agile Coach / Agile Project Manager / RTE
Lennar Homes
03.2022 - 05.2023
Principal Consultant / Agile Coach / Delivery Lead
Cognizant Technologies Solutions
10.2017 - 03.2022
Agile Coach / Scrum Master
AgileThought LLC
09.2016 - 11.2017
Lead Consultant - Delivery Manager - Sr. Scrum Master
Rulesware LLC | Healthfirst
03.2016 - 09.2016
Sr. Scrum Master / Agile PM
Cognizant Technologies Solutions
12.2015 - 03.2016
Agile Coach / Scrum Master
4 Corners Resources | WellCare Health Plans
04.2015 - 12.2015
Sr. Scrum Master - Technology
DISYS | American Express
03.2014 - 04.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Digital Communications And Media
SUNY College At Old Westbury