QA Manager

This role is to provide Senior Test Management in a market leading Financial Services company, where you will be leading a test team and taking ownership of all testing related activities for a complex Project or a number of smaller Projects /Workstreams in a Programme. Requirements: 15+ years of experience in software testing, with at least 8 years in test management and project management roles Experience leading large teams (100+ associates) across multiple projects or initiatives Extensive knowledge of wealth and insurance domains Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills Expertise in test process improvement and framework development Proficiency in test automation and emerging technologies (e.g., AI/ML, DevOps, cloud testing) Track record of driving quality improvements and aligning testing efforts with business objectives Experience with Agile and DevOps methodologies Key Responsibilities: Senior Test management accountable for team management, test strategy creation 3rd party relationship management and successful management of the planning and execution of Test activities. requirements defining data requirements, dependencies across test projects and workstreams, creating, agreeing and then successfully executing against detailed test plans. Actively input to analysis of client specifications to ensure the project is setup for success Oversee all testing activities, from requirements gathering to test execution and defect tracking Develop and implement comprehensive testing strategies and processes Manage test deliveries, ensuring timeliness and quality across multiple projects Lead project test activities in accordance with policies and standards Conduct strategic planning, risk management, and continuous improvement initiatives Interact with clients and stakeholders, providing regular status updates Drive adoption of best practices, tools, and methodologies in testing Oversee effort estimation, resource allocation, and project scheduling Manage problem prevention and conflict resolution Encourage a culture of innovation and continuous learning within the team Implement and maintain quality metrics and KPIs to measure team performance Collaborate with other departments to ensure seamless integration of testing processes Strong analytical skills and attention to detail Strong knowledge of test management tools and methodologies Understanding of automation frameworks for both functional and non-functional testing Ability to capture and analyse test metrics for process improvement Leadership and Management Skills: Ability to mentor and develop team members at various career stages Experience in implementing talent retention strategies Skill in managing geographically dispersed teams Capability to drive organizational change and testing transformation initiatives Industry Awareness: Stay current with industry trends and best practices in software testing Actively participate in relevant professional networks and conferences Ability to anticipate and prepare for emerging technologies and methodologies in the fintech sector Skills required: Financial services experience highly desirable (specifically Insurance and Life & Pensions) Experience of creation of and execution against agreed Test Strategies flexing where required and leading others to produce these within a large team structure Significant experience in leading a test team within a structured and fast paced project-based environment through the full testing life cycle Experience of working with offshore teams and 3rd parties Experience and proven track record of implementing and driving the business strategy through the testing phases Have good ALM/JIRA knowledge (requirements traceability, scripting, execution, defects & reports) Demonstrable experience of successfully managing a client organisation to balance agility and speed against the need for an appropriate level of quality Ideally you will have: Experience of high capacity, high traffic, and high availability Financial systems Hands on experience of implementing test automation, using Jira sync or other test manager tools Experience in delivery of all types of testing: Manual, Functional, Non-Functional, Automation, Web Services Testing Industry recognised software testing qualifications such as ISEB/ISTQB. Working Style Characteristics Preferred: A natural motivator who drives for high performance levels Must be a leader and team player