Programme Test Manager

Sanderson; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Sanderson is seeking a senior Test Programme Manager in a hybrid London role. You will own the enterprise-wide testing and quality strategy, providing executive assurance across a major transformation portfolio.

You will lead governance, risk management and modern testing capabilities, including automation and AI-enabled quality practices, while guiding a team of 10 professionals and partnering across business, technology and third-party suppliers.

Qualifications

• Experience leading testing and quality strategy for large transformations.
• Strong governance, assurance frameworks and risk management expertise.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and partner with multiple workstreams.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the enterprise-wide testing and quality strategy
• Provide independent assurance to Programme Directors and senior leadership teams
• Establish governance frameworks, quality standards and assurance methodologies
• Drive modern testing capabilities including automation and AI-enabled quality practices
• Influence investment, release and deployment decisions through evidence-based risk assessments
• Lead programme-level quality governance across multiple workstreams
• Build and evolve the Testing & Assurance operating model
• Develop and manage a team of 10 testing and assurance professionals
• Partner with business, technology, operations and third-party suppliers
• Present programme health, risks and readiness updates to executive stakeholders and governance forums

Skills

Test Programme Management

Quality Assurance

Quality Engineering Leadership

Governance & Risk

Executive Stakeholder Management

Agile & Hybrid Delivery

Automation

AI-Enabled Quality

Job description

Hybrid Working | London | Life & Pensions

Lead the Quality Strategy Behind Major Business Transformation

Are you a senior testing leader ready to move beyond delivery and into a truly strategic leadership position?

We're recruiting for an experienced Test Programme Manager to take ownership of quality assurance, testing strategy and governance across a large-scale transformation portfolio. This is a high-profile role where you'll provide executive-level assurance, influence key business decisions and shape how quality is delivered across a complex change landscape.

This is an opportunity for someone who wants to operate at programme and organisational level, partnering with senior stakeholders to drive better business outcomes, mitigate risk and ensure successful delivery of critical strategic initiatives.

The Opportunity

As the senior authority for testing and assurance, you'll:

• Define and own the enterprise-wide testing and quality strategy
• Provide independent assurance to Programme Directors and senior leadership teams
• Establish governance frameworks, quality standards and assurance methodologies
• Drive modern testing capabilities including automation, continuous testing and AI-enabled quality practices
• Influence investment, release and deployment decisions through evidence-based risk assessments
• Lead programme-level quality governance across multiple workstreams
• Build and evolve the Testing & Assurance operating model
• Develop and manage a team of 10 testing and assurance professionals
• Partner with business, technology, operations and third-party suppliers to drive successful outcomes
• Present programme health, risks and readiness updates to executive stakeholders and governance forums

What We're Looking For

We're keen to speak with experienced leaders who have:

• A background in Test Programme Management, Quality Assurance or Quality Engineering leadership
• Experience leading quality strategy across large-scale transformation programmes
• Strong executive stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Expertise in governance, assurance frameworks and risk management
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and third-party delivery partners
• A strong understanding of Agile, Waterfall and hybrid delivery environments
• The ability to translate complex technical risks into clear business-focused recommendations

Financial Services experience is beneficial but not essential.

Why This Role?

This is not a traditional Test Manager role.

It's a highly strategic leadership position with significant visibility across a major transformation agenda. You'll influence key programme decisions, shape the future direction of the testing function and play a critical role in delivering long‑term business objectives.

If you're looking for a role where you'll have a genuine seat at the table, the autonomy to drive change, and the opportunity to build a best‑in‑class quality function, we'd love to hear from you.