Product Backlog Coach

This is a contract position based in Seattle, WA, with a fully remote work arrangement. The position is anticipated to close on Aug 14, 2026.

About TEKsystems

We're partners in transformation. We help clients activate ideas and solutions to take advantage of a new world of opportunity. We are a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 clients, including 80% of the Fortune 500, across North America, Europe, and Asia. As an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services, and real-world application, we work with progressive leaders to drive change. TEKsystems is an Allegis Group company.

Responsibilities

• Product-Centric Transformation
  • Promote product-oriented thinking and outcome-based planning.
  • Help organizations transition from project-based delivery to value-driven product delivery models.
  • Identify and address backlog anti-patterns that impact planning and execution effectiveness.
• Product Backlog Design & Development
  • Coach teams in creating and maintaining outcome-focused product backlogs.
  • Guide the development of Epics, Features, Product Backlog Items (PBIs), and Tasks aligned to business and customer value.
  • Help establish backlog hierarchy, planning horizons, and quality standards.
• Coaching & Facilitation
  • Facilitate backlog-building workshops, story mapping sessions, backlog refinement activities, and planning discussions.
  • Mentor Product Owners and Agile delivery teams on backlog management best practices.
  • Enable teams to build sustainable backlog management capabilities and self-sufficiency.
• Stakeholder Engagement
  • Partner with business leaders, Product Owners, and key stakeholders to align priorities with strategic objectives.
  • Facilitate consensus around prioritization decisions and expected outcomes.
  • Establish governance practices, accountability, and escalation paths where needed.
• Continuous Improvement
  • Assess backlog health and team maturity.
  • Recommend and implement improvements to backlog management practices.
  • Reinforce organizational standards and continuous learning initiatives.

Requirements

• Product Backlog Coaching & Facilitation
  • Proven experience coaching Product Owners, product teams, and Agile delivery teams.
  • Strong workshop facilitation skills, including:
    • User story mapping
    • Backlog creation and refinement
    • Prioritization workshops
    • Planning and review sessions
• Product Backlog Management
  • Deep expertise in:
    • Product backlog design
    • Backlog decomposition
    • Epic and Feature development
    • User story mapping
    • Value-based planning
  • Strong understanding of product operating models and outcome-focused delivery practices.
• Stakeholder Management & Change Leadership
  • Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
  • Experience influencing leaders and teams without direct authority.
  • Demonstrated success driving adoption of new ways of working within transformation initiatives.
• Tools & Technology
  • Azure DevOps (ADO)
  • Agile planning and collaboration tools
  • Backlog management and reporting platforms

Success Measures

• Adoption of consistent backlog management practices.
• Strong alignment between strategy, roadmaps, and delivery activities.
• Improved backlog quality and prioritization clarity.
• Reduced backlog anti-patterns and delivery inefficiencies.
• Increased stakeholder alignment and planning effectiveness.
• Sustainable product-centric backlog management practices across teams.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $70.00 per hour.

Benefits

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental, and vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short- and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation, or Sick Leave)