MHPD Programme Test Lead (P-7941095149)

Reed Talent Solutions; Bedford; Hybrid; GBP 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Annual Leave

Pension scheme – employer contribution

Cycle to work

Job summary

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) in Bedford is seeking a Programme Test Lead to own and deliver testing across the MHPD programme. You will manage SIT, NFT, OAT, Industry, Moderated, and Unmoderated testing, driving defect triage and reports to programme governance.

You will lead 2 MHPD squads and liaise with stakeholders including DWP, TPR and the FCA, working in a hybrid Bedford office with UK-wide impact. This is a 12-month fixed-term contract.

Qualifications

• Essential: strong ability to influence and build relationships with stakeholders.
• Proven experience managing risk and issues within complex programmes.
• Experience leading testing activities across multiple squads and vendors.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of testing for the MHPD programme, including functional, NFT, and OAT testing.
• Manage and oversee testing phases: SIT, NFT, OAT, Industry, Moderated, Unmoderated.
• Maintain and drive the Programme Test Strategy and governance.
• Lead defect triage, metrics, and readiness reporting to governance forums.
• Coordinate with Development, Environment, and Release teams to maintain stability and readiness.
• Engage with stakeholders (DWP/TPR/FCA) to ensure delivery commitments.

Skills

Influencing

Stakeholder Engagement

Risk Management

Job description

MHPD Programme Test Lead £85,000 per annum Bedford 12 month FTC Hybrid Working Join us at the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) as a Programme Test Lead. The MHPD Programme Test Lead is responsible for managing and executing all testing activities within the programme, ensuring quality outcomes are achieved to time and scope. They take ownership of test delivery for this in-flight programme, assuming responsibility from the Principal Test Manager who has provided the initial setup, frameworks, and strategy. The Programme Test Lead ensures that the delivery teams adhere to those standards, while managing day-to-day testing operations, reporting, and stakeholder engagement. This includes leading (from a test perspective) 2x MHPD squads and the wider industry, moderated and unmoderated testing.

The role

Key Responsibilities

Programme Test Ownership

• Take full ownership of testing for MHPD (including functional, NFT, OAT).
• Manage and oversee all phases of testing: SIT, NFT, OAT, Industry, Moderated, Unmoderated
• Maintain the Programme Test Strategy, ensuring the programme is adhering to the standards set in the document.
• Identify and manage test risks, dependencies, and issues
• Stakeholder engagement and management - particularly DWP/TPR/FCA Execution & Delivery
• Oversee test execution across the MHPD delivery squads.
• Drive daily defect triage, ensuring efficient defect management and resolution.
• Coordinate with Development, Environment, and Release teams to maintain readiness and stability.
• Report accurate test progress, metrics, and readiness to programme governance forums.
• Ensure teams are following defined best practices, templates, and reporting standards.

Key Deliverables

• Test Progress Reports & Dashboards
• Test Completion Reports
• Defect Metrics and Quality KPIs
• Risk & Issue Log (QA-specific)

Key accountabilities

Essential Skills and Experience

Essential:

• Influencing and Relationship Building
• Stakeholder Engagement and Leading challenging discussions
• Risk Management

Skills & experience

Desirable:

• Coaching
• Setting and Maintaining Standards

About Us

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is based in Bedford, in a recently renovated modern office. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to become an integral part of a dynamic organisation, working to help people across the UK. At the heart of the Money and Pensions Service are our values – caring, connecting, and transforming, which are the foundation of our success. They permeate every area of our work and define all our business relationships and the way we work with each other. We’re not only looking for the best people to come and work for us, but we need people who align themselves with our values:

• Caring We care about our colleagues and the people whose lives we are here to transform.
• Connecting We will transform lives through our ability to make positive connections.
• Transforming We are committed to transforming lives and making a positive societal impact.

Our Inclusive Working Environment By fostering our values, we are immensely proud of the inclusive working environment that we have created. The diversity of our people is a strength that we embrace and wish to build upon, so we are committed to attracting people of all backgrounds. We work hard to ensure that we have a progressive approach to inclusion, equity, and belonging. We really do want our colleagues to “bring their whole selves to work.” Our colleague and ally networks encompass LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, women’s health, men’s health, ethnicity, and diversity.

What We Offer

• Generous Annual Leave – 30 days plus Bank Holidays
• Pension scheme – contributions matched 2 to 1 (employer contribution up to 10% of your salary)
• Interest-free loan for season tickets for buses and trains
• Cycle to work Scheme
• Subsidised eye tests & flu jabs
• Life assurance scheme
• Give as you earn scheme
• Employee assistance programme (EAP)
• PAM Assist and PAM Life scheme (Wellbeing)
• Enhanced family and sick pay
• Paid volunteering (2 days a year)
• Recognition Scheme
• Discounts portal to numerous retailers

Flexible Working At MaPS, we take pride in our flexible approach to work. As standard, we work on a hybrid basis with a minimum of 2 days in the office per month. Hybrid working is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and our headquarters in Bedford will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business needs, but personal and other relevant circumstances will also be considered. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.