Test Lead

Marc Ellis; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial services company is seeking a Test Lead/Manager to oversee quality assurance and testing functions. The candidate should have 10-15 years of experience, including 5 in a senior testing management role, preferably in Banking and Finance. Responsibilities include creating test plans, managing a testing team, and ensuring adherence to testing standards. Strong analytical skills, problem-solving ability, and experience with testing tools like Jira and Selenium are essential. This is an opportunity to drive innovation in testing methodologies.

Qualifications

• 10 to 15 years' experience in testing, preferably in Banking and Finance.
• 5 years' experience at a senior manager level in testing roles.
• Certifications in Software testing or quality assurance (ISTQB Advanced).
• Proven experience with Waterfall and Agile methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Oversee quality assurance and testing functions for projects.
• Develop and implement project test plans aligned with goals.
• Ensure test deliverables are prepared and reviewed throughout the project lifecycle.
• Manage and lead testing teams, fostering collaboration.

Skills

Test management

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, IT, or Engineering

Tools

Jira

Selenium

CI/CD tools

Job description

Role

The Test Lead / Test Manager role is responsible for overseeing project quality assurance and testing functions.

Purpose

The role ensures that all project related activities and deliverables adhere to the organization testing process and standards.

Job Accountabilities

• The role requires extensive experience managing testing for large scale projects/programs in Banking and Finance sector, preferably with experience in Islamic Banking/SME/Corporate banking.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and implementation of testing processes and methodologies.
• Develop and implement project test approach, aligning with project goals.
• Create overall project test plan and implement the plan aligned with overall organization test guidelines.
• Ensure various test deliverables are prepared, reviewed and signed off during the project test life cycle.
• Ensure test automation is planned, delivered and used during the project test lifecycle.
• Ensure comprehensive test status reporting is done at various stages during the test life cycle.
• Establish and ensure the project quality assurance activities are defined and performed effectively.
• Define and measure project test effectiveness metrics.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing testing team.
• Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Work closely with development, product management, and operations teams.
• Ensure seamless integration of testing into the overall project lifecycle.
• Identify, analyze, and mitigate risks related to software and system releases.
• Develop contingency plans to address potential quality and delivery issues.
• Stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices.
• Drive innovation to enhance testing methodologies and tools.
• Strict adherence to corporate policies & procedures, code of conduct, and applicable laws & regulations, to safeguard the customer interest, and Bank’s reputation.
• Strong attention to details, excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Defect management: log defects, run daily defect calls and a separate issue resolution call, prioritize defect fixing with timely closure of defects to meet program timeline.
• Prepare regular test summary reports and other test‑related materials for test management meetings.
• Organise meetings/workshops with vendors, third‑party teams and internal (user, functional, technical, testing) teams to review test deliverables or provide status updates.

Qualifications, Experience & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in computer science, IT, Engineering, or a related field.
• Proven working experience in test delivery or equivalent role with at least 10 to 15 years’ relevant experience in large and complex organisations, preferably in Banking and Finance, and at least 5 years’ senior manager experience in testing.
• Proven test manager / lead experience in Retail banking / Islamic banking / SME banking / wholesale banking.
• Extensive experience in managing end‑to‑end delivery of testing services from multiple vendor test service providers.
• Proven experience in test design, test execution, test data management, test management, release management, defect management, test reporting, project management and implementation in large scale financial solutions using Waterfall and Agile methodologies.
• Certifications in Software testing or quality assurance (ISTQB Advanced).
• Excellent skills in MS Office (Outlook, Excel, PPT, Word).
• Strong problem‑solving skills to identify and address issues or risks that may arise during testing.
• Experience in managing multiple external testing service providers.
• Experience in managing multi‑cultural, diverse, direct and virtual teams.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross‑functional teams, including IT, and Business.
• A basic understanding of financial processes and regulatory requirements to ensure compliance and effective risk management.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills to effectively liaise with various departments and ensure alignment with the project’s goals.
• Competent in testing tools (including Jira, CI/CD, Selenium tools), processes, methodologies and establish QA best practices.