Project Test Manager

Job Description

• This is a management role that is responsible for overseeing and owning the testing within a project.
• Your role will be a leadership position in championing testing across the organization.
• Testing will be conducted across multiple applications, patches, defect fixes and system changes across various platforms.
• Testing may be conducted within an Agile, Iterative or Waterfall process and require test documents, process, and artifacts to confirm accordingly. 
• The candidate must be well organized, self-sufficient and be able to create, generate and execute appropriate test scripts when provided with a development specification, requirements, and in some cases limited or no documentation.
• Working within a regulated environment the candidate must produce well written, detailed and complete documentation and evidence for all testing activity as well as being responsible for reviewing testing output completed by the team.
• The candidate should be able to manage their own and others time effectively and have previous experience in overseeing and implementing testing schedules and working to changing priorities at a fast pace. 
• Testing outputs and reports are audited regularly and visible across the business, for certain projects they are also visible to external clients and therefore the right candidate must possess strong presentation skills. 
• These projects require an experienced and organized test manager with excellent communication skills to own & complete testing on multiple phases or sprints including Systems Integration, OAT, and UAT as required.
• Hands-on, proactive approach to test documentation, scripting, execution, progress reporting, and defect management. Governance of third-party suppliers testing to provide QA.
• Financial Services experience is mandatory, Pension background is preferred

Primary Responsibilities:

• Support the Head of Testing in securing and scheduling test resources, developing test plans and managing a team of Test Analysts
• Working with the project, programme or product owner take ownership and governance of all relevant test activities.
• Create and establish and evolved a testing best practice within.
• Review existing Testing documentation, make recommendations for enhancements to streamline current processes.
• Represent Testing at Project review board meetings, as required
• Manage Testing Project Pipelines and budgets ensuring costs are managed effectively
• Create relevant Project Testing Approaches, justifying testing activities, timeframes, resourcing and tools required with relevant associated costs captured.
• Creating, reviewing, publishing and presenting End Test Reports along with appropriate Testing recommendations
• Own Defect Triage calls and assign defects to relevant owners and track and manage as appropriate
• Develop a broad understanding of test automation software and other trends and innovation within the software testing discipline. Identify and implement appropriate test automation software and processes that improve the efficiency and/or quality of testing within the organization.
• Develop & create appropriate test scenarios and scripts from various document types, produce a high-quality standard of work that can be shared externally with clients and other key stakeholders
• Build a knowledge repository of how a change could impact a particular system by liaising directly with Analysts, Developers, and end-users ensuring lessons learned are captured and updated
• Develop regression test scripts and carry out regression testing where appropriate
• Liaise with relevant teams to feedback test results and resolve outstanding issues
• Identifying improvements to processes and assisting in their implementation
• Providing advice and guidance to colleagues on any aspect of testing, including completion estimates, training for testers and other developers where appropriate
• Where appropriate conduct interviews with potential new Testing resources
• Create relevant weekly / monthly templates for the tracking and reporting of the following:
• the number of test cases created, executed, updated,
• defects found/resolve.
• Test resources utilization assigned to a project
• Planned vs actual test activity tracking
• Identified test risks and issues

Key Tasks:

• Single point of contact for all project testing related activities
• Advocating of automated testing where benefits can be realised or suits delivery model.
• Defining test strategies and test plans based on project requirements.
• Collaborating with project managers and the development team to identify the testing requirement.
• Plan, create and execute manual software test cases.
• Manual testing of websites, apps and other creative digital tools on multiple browsers and devices.
• Manual testing of software systems.
• Reporting software defects and ownership of resolutions with work with development teams.
• Communicating test progress, test results, and other relevant information to project stakeholders.

Essential Skills Required:

• Experience working across multiple project methodologies.
• Proven experience of the testing line of business user systems and interfaces.
• Experience of working on projects delivered using both agile and waterfall methodologies with associated test artifacts.
• Experience in testing websites, applications, and services.
• Excellent visual awareness, problem-solving skills, an eye for detail and natural curiosity.
• Passionate about digital, technology and being part of a like-minded development community.
• An analytical and systematic approach to testing.
• Confident and solution-focused communication skills.
• A flexible and exploratory testing style when required
• Excellent communication and proactive ownership skills for engagement with external suppliers and stakeholders.
• Pension experience essential along with solid test management experience.
• Experience of quality assurance for vendor testing phases
• Experience of leading a dispersed team within a large global organization
• Experience of working with 3rd party vendors using an offshore/onshore delivery model
• Stakeholder management
• Use of defect tracking systems, version control systems and monitoring systems
• Qualification required:
• Degree in a numerate subject or relevant certified technical experience.
• Desirable: Testing certifications (ISTQB, ISEB) or Project Management certifications (PRINCE2, PMP, SCRUM, SAFE)