Head Of Testing

Vallum Associates; Reading; Vor Ort; GBP 90.000 - 130.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Vallum Associates in Reading is seeking an experienced Head of Testing to lead the Testing and Quality Assurance function across enterprise-scale digital transformation programs. The role defines the testing strategy, governance, and delivery for business-critical applications within a complex stakeholder environment.

You will build and lead high-performing testing teams, establish standards and metrics, drive continuous improvement, and provide executive-level reporting on quality and risk

Qualifikationen

• 12+ years of experience in software testing and QA
• 5+ years in test management or testing leadership roles
• Explicit experience in Utility Industry
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills
• Experience managing geographically distributed teams

Aufgaben

• Define and implement the overall testing and quality assurance strategy
• Build and lead high-performing testing teams across programs and projects
• Establish testing standards, methodologies, governance frameworks, and best practices
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the testing function
• Develop test maturity roadmaps and quality metrics
• Oversee SIT, UAT, Regression, Performance, Security, and Automation testing activities
• Ensure comprehensive test planning, execution, defect management, and reporting
• Monitor testing progress and provide executive-level reporting on quality and risk
• Collaborate with Business, Product, Project Management, Architecture, and Development teams
• Promote adoption of CI/CD practices and modern testing tools
• Explore AI-driven testing opportunities

Kenntnisse

Test leadership

Quality Assurance

Automation

Stakeholder management

Tools

Selenium

Cypress

Playwright

Tosca

LoadRunner

JMeter

Jobbeschreibung

We are seeking an experienced Head of Testing to lead and transform the Testing and Quality Assurance function across enterprise-scale digital transformation programs. The ideal candidate will define the testing strategy, establish governance, drive quality best practices, manage testing teams, and ensure successful delivery of business-critical applications within a complex stakeholder environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and implement the overall testing and quality assurance strategy.
• Build and lead high-performing testing teams across multiple programs and projects.
• Establish testing standards, methodologies, governance frameworks, and best practices.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the testing function.
• Develop test maturity roadmaps and quality metrics.

Test Planning & Delivery

• Oversee SIT, UAT, Regression, Performance, Security, and Automation testing activities.
• Ensure comprehensive test planning, execution, defect management, and reporting.
• Manage testing activities across Agile, Waterfall, and Hybrid delivery models.
• Monitor testing progress and provide executive-level reporting on quality and risk.

Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate with Business, Product, Project Management, Architecture, and Development teams.
• Act as the primary point of contact for quality-related governance and testing assurance.
• Manage relationships with third-party vendors, system integrators, and testing partners.
• Present testing outcomes, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership.

Quality Assurance & Governance

• Define quality gates and release readiness criteria.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards.
• Drive defect prevention initiatives and root cause analysis activities.
• Implement and monitor KPIs, SLAs, and quality standards.
• Promote adoption of test automation frameworks and CI/CD practices.
• Evaluate and implement modern testing tools and technologies.
• Drive shift-left, DevOps, and continuous testing practices.
• Explore AI-driven testing and quality engineering opportunities.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Explicit experience in Utility Industry.
• 12+ years of experience in Software Testing and Quality Assurance.
• 5+ years in Test Management or Testing Leadership roles.
• Strong understanding of:
• Quality Engineering
• Test Automation
• Agile Delivery
• DevOps Practices
• Risk-Based Testing
• Experience managing geographically distributed teams.
• Excellent stakeholder and vendor management skills.
• Strong leadership, communication, and presentation abilities.

Technical Skills

• Automation Frameworks (Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, Tosca).
• Performance Testing Tools (LoadRunner, JMeter).

Preferred

• Experience within Financial Services, Utilities, Retail, Telecom, or Public Sector.
• Knowledge of AI-assisted testing approaches.