Assistant Vice President Testing Services

Pacific Life Re; Greater London; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services provider in the UK is seeking an AVP for Testing Services to lead a team dedicated to ensuring robust quality in software testing across the organization. The ideal candidate will have over a decade of experience in software testing and QA, demonstrating leadership in transformation programs and proficiency in testing methodologies. This role includes managing teams, developing testing strategies, and engaging with senior stakeholders to enhance quality assurance practices while contributing to the overall success of large transformation projects. This firm places a strong emphasis on work-life balance and offers extensive employee benefits.

Benefits

25 days of annual leave with buy/sell option

Comprehensive private insurance

Subsidized gym membership

Cycle to Work Scheme

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ experience in software testing and QA, including leadership roles.
• Deep understanding of the software development lifecycle (SDLC).
• Proven experience with testing methodologies and phases.

Responsibilities

• Manage testing services team, including recruitment and development.
• Develop and implement test strategy aligned with company standards.
• Engage with senior leaders to provide assurance on quality solutions.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Test automation

Communication

Agile methodologies

Education

Certifications such as ISTQB Advanced or Agile certifications

Tools

JIRA

Automation frameworks

Cloud platforms

Job description

Job Title

AVP, Testing Services

Job Description

The Testing Services team sets testing strategy, defines approach and provides support to all teams and projects across the organisation with a global remit. In parallel, we provide assurance to senior leadership in Pacific Life Re (PL Re) by operating using the most current industry standards and adhering to appropriate testing principles, controls and governance under which the business sets out to operate.

We are looking for a driven and experienced Testing or QA Leader to join PL Re Technology as an AVP and lead the Testing Services team.

This experienced leader will shape and deliver the testing strategy across our large back office transformation programme and bau activities ensuring robust quality standards and the seamless integration of new platforms and technologies. You will also be the face of testing to the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Management of the testing services team, including recruitment, development, and performance management.
• Matrix management of additional testers and QA resources across business units and third-party vendors.
• Foster a culture of quality, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the team and across the programme.
• Alignment with our parent company Pacific Life’s Technology approach and framework and apply specific Divisional requirements for PL Re

Test Management & Strategy

• Develop and implement the overall test strategy and approach, aligned with Pacific Life Re’s standards and the Unify transformation programme objectives.
• Define detailed testing scope and approach for all programme and project test phases (unit, integration, UAT, Dry Run, regression, automation).
• Oversee production of test scenarios, scripts, data sets, and defect management processes.
• Ensure best practices in testing and QA, leveraging modern methodologies (Agile, Waterfall) and tools (JIRA, automation frameworks, cloud platforms).
• Maintain comprehensive audit trails and reporting to support project approval and closure.

Programme Oversight & Delivery

• Lead testing oversight for a complex, multi-territory transformation programme, anticipating risks and ensuring timely completion of milestones.
• Ensure the smooth execution of all testing cycles across the programme whilst helping co-ordinate cross-functional testing.
• Establish and run regular project testing meetings, including defect triage and readiness activities.
• Provide project management support with periodic reports detailing testing and defect metrics.
• Drive continuous improvement by implementing lessons learned and optimizing test processes. Provide visibility and reporting on key Programme activities where testing are engaged or required for Technology

Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage with senior leaders to provide assurance that the right quality solutions are being delivered into the business with minimal disruption and traced back to business requirements.
• Build effective networks and partnerships with global PL Re teams, system owners, support teams, and external delivery partners.
• Communicate testing strategy, progress, and risks to senior stakeholders, including executive sponsors and business unit heads.
• Influence decision-making and manage corrective actions to enable successful delivery.

Qualifications & Experience

• 10+ years’ experience in software testing and QA, including leadership roles in large-scale transformation programmes.
• Deep understanding of the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and the role of testing within it.
• Proven experience with all testing phases and methodologies (unit, integration, UAT, regression, automation, non-functional, performance, security).
• Proven experience in managing environments and releases in relation to testing and on large transformation programmes essential.
• Strong evidence of successful testing automation deployment
• Hands-on experience with defect management, test data, and reusable test cases.
• Experience managing teams in both line and matrix structures, ideally in a global, virtual environment.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Familiarity with modern testing tools and technologies (JIRA, automation frameworks, cloud platforms, DevOps).
• Certifications such as ISTQB Advanced, PMP, or Agile certifications preferred.
• Experience in the (re)insurance industry and/or US GAAP projects highly desirable.
• Ability to work under pressure, adapt to changing requirements, and build relationships at all levels.

Working For Pacific Life Re

Every person in our global team is valued for the unique qualities they bring to our business and we seek to build their expertise and support their individual ambitions at every step. Of course, we take our work seriously and we know our team can operate under great pressure. We work hard and thrive on achievement, but we also know how to have fun and relax too. We regularly host a range of team building days to strengthen our team's connection with each other and reflect on their successes.

Providing employees with a healthy work-life balance is very important to our culture. We have a wide range of employee benefits and we host regular social activities and well being initiatives. We are also committed to supporting our employee's involvement in their communities, by actively fundraising, hosting charity events and overseeing volunteering opportunities.

Benefits

(Only for Permanent and Fixed Term Employees)

• Leave
• 25 days of annual leave with option to buy/sell more days
• Adoption and fertility leave
• Generous enhanced parental leave

• Healthcare
• Comprehensive private insurance coverage for employee and dependents
• Group Life Insurance coverage of 9x basic annual salary and Group Income Protection up to 75% of basic annual salary
• Optical benefits

• Savings & Retirement
• 15% combined employee/employer contributions

• Wellness
• Subsidized gym membership
• Access to Employee Assistance Program
• Cycle to Work and Electric Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Time off for volunteering
• Charitable matching of employee donations

As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we will provide reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process to ensure equal access to applicants with disabilities. Please contact us about your needs so that we can discuss these with you to make sure that suitable adjustments are made, where possible.

Pacific Life Re Values

We will provide more information on our company values in the future; please contact us if you need access to them during recruitment.