Test Manager

At AQA, we're committed to advancing education and we're committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it's our people who make this happen.
Permanent
Smart Hybrid Working
Are you passionate about testing? Do you excel in leadership roles where you can advance both test automation and non-functional testing (NFT) strategies, leveraging your deep technical knowledge? Join us and make a real impact on the quality and delivery of our testing solutions.
As the Automation and Non-Functional Testing Lead, you will report directly to the Head of Test and take full ownership of delivering advanced automation and non-functional testing solutions across our testing framework. You'll bring your solid expertise in automation, performance, and security testing, steering a talented team of testers to adopt automation-first principles while ensuring excellence in non-functional testing. While you won't be directly hands-on, your strong technical expertise will enable you to provide strategic guidance on automation frameworks, performance testing, and security assessments, ensuring the team adopts cutting-edge tools and methodologies.
Working closely with business stakeholders, technical teams, and third-party partners, you will deliver scalable, reliable software solutions. You'll guide your team through the complexities of automation and non-functional testing, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and resources needed to excel.
You will play a key role in mentoring and coaching your team, fostering an environment where your team can grow technically while you provide the guidance and vision to ensure the success of both automation and non-functional testing initiatives
If the above isn't enough of a reason to make an application, here is just some of our current benefits package.
~ Balance your 35-hour workweek with flexible hours and smart working tools for office and home.

~ Enjoy 25 days of annual leave, increasing incrementally to 30 days after five years, plus up to an additional 4 discretionary days over Christmas and New Year.

~ Take 5 additional paid days to participate in volunteering activities that are close to your heart.

~ Access private medical insurance from day one, covering new and pre-existing conditions.

~ Benefit from our Ride-to-Work scheme, gym access or discounts, Headspace app, and an employee assistance programme.

~ Enjoy a newly refurbished office with a variety of individual and collaborative workspaces, an onsite gym, yoga and games room with a discounted eatery.

~ 5% employer pension contributions with various options through salary sacrifice.

~ Opt for our electric vehicle scheme, including insurance, MOT, service, and breakdown cover.

Implement and continuously improve software testing practices, ensuring a pragmatic balance between quality and delivery.

~ Manage a team of testers, providing hands-on support, conducting performance reviews, and guiding the team through complex testing challenges.

~ Develop and maintain test strategies, plans, and reports that ensure consistent and high-quality test artifacts.

~ Engage with various stakeholders to ensure test activities align with business objectives, reporting succinctly on progress and risks.

Expertise in testing: A broad understanding of functional, non-functional, and user acceptance testing, with a keen focus on automation and NFT frameworks.

~ Excellent planning, reporting, and people management skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate at all levels.

~ Strong understanding of agile software development and the tools that support it (e.g., Assertive and resilient, you excel at unblocking challenges and adapting to change in a fast-paced environment.

This is your chance to be a key player in an organization that values quality and innovation. To ensure the predictable and successful delivery of software for AQA's key operational systems, through providing leadership and hands-on support in the area of test for programmes/projects as required.
Ensuring that all software delivered is tested in line with defined requirements, industry best practices, departmental standards and wider AQA policies/procedures.
Helping to complete AQA's ongoing transition to a single, consistent set of cloud-based technologies (technology re-platform) and move to an agile delivery model in line with current software development best practices (Scrum/Kanban; The role of the Test Manager is to support the Head of Test to ensure all test activities both functional and non-functional are planned, resourced and delivered to time and quality. Tracking and reporting test delivery and progress, identifying and managing risks, issues and dependencies, and holding all team members to account for their areas of delivery.
Support the Head of Test in implementing and continuously improving software and test practices, processes and tools aligned to agile and lean principles.
Ensure the successful delivery of software solutions projects in line with agreed timescales and priorities Mentor and coach other team members, driving personal and professional development to facilitate cross skilling in the team. Drive the continuous improvement of ways of working in Software Solutions and of wider departmental practices.
Ensuring a delivery focused approach to testing, whilst maintaining a proportionate balance between the need for quality vs. Work with the business, other technical teams and external partners (third parties) to design, plan and deliver software solutions and software solution integrations.
Undertake appropriate mitigation and avoidance actions as assigned, in accordance with identified Issues and Risks.
Provide regular, simple, clear and accurate reporting and tracking on test activities Line manage Test team members to get the best outcomes for individuals and AQA in line with AQA's practices, policies and procedures.
To model leadership behaviours with confidence and to get the very best from direct reports and teams by providing clarity, feedback, coaching and development, while continuously seeking to enhance performance in line with business objectives.
To comply with all AQA's policies and other legislative requirements, including but not limited to HSE, Equal Opportunities and ISMS.
A broad understanding of testing and its role, relevance and application in either a commercial or an educational environment - I/P
Excellent understanding of different types of testing, e.g. functional, non-functional and user acceptance including relevant artefacts associated and suitable application - A/I/P
A strong understanding of the use of technology to improve the efficiency, reliability and repeatability of the testing discipline - A/I/P
A good understanding of the software development lifecycle in an agile setting. - Excellent planning and reporting skills - I/P
Strong people management skills with the ability to inspire and motivate team members and other colleagues to meet deliverables and adhere to agreed processes and ways of working - I/P
Assertive and resilient to be able to challenge project members and stakeholders when they are not delivering on their accountabilities - I/P
Data savvy and able to analyse, interpret and report back complex information in a meaningful way - I/P
Ability to take ownership of both software solution delivery and continuous improvement activities, delivering through self and others - I/P
Significant experience as a successful Test professional, with evidence of delivering tasks at a high level of quality, at all stages of the project lifecycle, from requirements gathering and clarification through to successful implementation - A/I/P
Experience of leading functional and non-functional testing teams including use of automation - A/I
Demonstrable experience in successfully leading small Software Solutions teams to achieve personal and business success - A/I/P
Experience of line managing teams of technical staff, including active performance management - A/I/P
Demonstrable experience in using one or more testing tools in supporting implementation of agile practices, e.g. AQA's Behaviour Framework which is assessed through the selection/probation process
A - application (it is essential to provide evidence on application for shortlisting purposes)
Keywords: Software QA Manager, Location:

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