Test Manager

**Summary**:
The Test Manager takes overall responsibility for managing a test stage during a project. He/She will provide leadership for the test stage, including defining the Test Strategy and Test Planning, managing it to completion within agreed timescales and budgets, and to a level of quality that meets or exceeds the stakeholder’s expectations.

**Responsibilities**:

- Provide management, direction and mentoring for the test team.
- Propose and analyse metrics, design quality dashboard for management and delivery teams
- Use advanced level appreciation of the architecture and key components of IT solutions (including GUI, Operating systems, databases, computer hardware & input devices, networks & security) to inform the testing strategy, approach and plans and guide the team.
- Definition of the High-Level Test Approach for Programmes/Projects, including advising on the test phases needed to support the Programme/Project
- Provide input to the Programme/Project management on the needs of the test project
- Provide estimates, with a good level of accuracy, of the time required to complete test activities
- Identify, document and manage all significant Programme/Project Risks and issues regarding testing
- Manage Test progress, including assigning work, monitoring progress and providing feedback
- Collect and report metrics, progress and statistics against the test activity
- Defect Management, including triaging, analysis and reporting
- Take overall responsibility for the creation of test data including the manipulation of relational database data to feed automated test scripts when necessary
- Look for opportunities to improve the approach/test process
- Be an advocate for Testing and Quality across the lifecycle including a focus on defect prevention
- Internal and external Key Stakeholder management providing regular updates to clients, Sales/Account Managers and Leadership team.
- Experience of managing, influencing and negotiating with Key Stakeholders and third parties.
- Support sales pipeline by identifying new opportunities within existing clients and participating in pre-sales engagements.

**Requirements**:

- Masters’ or Bachelors’ degree in Engineering, Information Technology or related studies
- At least 10 to 15 years’ experience in QA and Software Testing role, including 5 years in a senior testing position, including leading a team on multiple projects.
- At least 2 years proven experience of devising, implementing, and assuring Defect Management strategies at Project and Programme level.
- Experience of managing, influencing and negotiating with Key Stakeholders and third parties
- Ability to conduct workshops and lead critical sessions with Quality Engineering, Development, Business, Product Owners, Application Owners, Technology Leadership and CIOs
- Strong understanding of the benefits of test engineering and appreciation of the different toolsets available to support automation and performance.
- Understanding and experience in DevOps pipeline i.e. change, release & deployment processes
- Strong knowledge & use of SDLC methodologies e.g. Agile, Waterfall, DevOps, BDD
- A strong appreciation of service-oriented architecture and interfaces and ability to manage the interaction with APIs/interfaces using automated testing tools and bespoke coded test automation frameworks
- Experience with implementing and configuring a variety of leading testing tools and understanding how best to exploit them.
- Experience in Cloud Implementation or on-premise to Cloud migration projects. Experience of testing Cloud based solutions.
- Certified with ITIL Foundation level or equivalent, ISTQB technical test analyst qualified, or ISTQB Advance Test Manager would be advantageous.