QA Lead

Sanderson Government & Defence; Shrewsbury; Hybrid; GBP 105,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

QA Lead needed for a major public sector transformation programme. Based in Telford with 2 days onsite, you will provide leadership, governance and technical direction to embed QA best practice across multiple project streams.

You will own the programme-wide QA strategy, drive quality standards, and mentor project QA Leads. You’ll oversee QA activities, manage risks, and ensure delivery aligns with programme objectives within a 6-month assignment.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading QA in large programmes.
• Strong understanding of QA practices, tools, and methodologies.
• Ability to influence design for testability.

Responsibilities

• Implement and maintain the programme-wide QA strategy.
• Lead QA activities across multiple projects and delivery streams.
• Define QA scope, approach and delivery expectations with stakeholders.
• Mentor and support Project QA Leads.
• Ensure project testing aligns with programme standards.

Skills

Quality Assurance leadership

Test Strategy development

Governance

Stakeholder management

Reporting

Risk management

Delivery governance

Multi-project coordination

Quality standards

Continuous improvement

Job description

Location: Telford (2 days per week onsite)

Duration: 6 Months

Clearance: BPSS (SC Clearance advantageous)

Rate: Up to £657.83 per day / £87.71 per hour Inside IR-35 via Umbrella

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced QA Lead to join a major public sector transformation programme. This role will provide leadership, governance, and technical direction across multiple project streams, ensuring quality assurance best practice is embedded throughout the programme lifecycle.

The successful candidate will operate at programme level, overseeing the implementation of the QA strategy, driving quality standards, and providing guidance to project teams delivering complex modernisation initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement and maintain the programme-wide QA strategy.
• Lead and govern quality assurance activities across multiple projects.
• Work closely with stakeholders to define QA scope, approach, and delivery expectations.
• Provide leadership, mentoring, and support to Project QA Leads.
• Ensure project-level test approaches align with programme standards and objectives.
• Establish effective reporting and monitoring frameworks for QA activity.
• Drive governance and assurance processes across all delivery streams.
• Review and assure the quality of key testing and QA deliverables.
• Support project-level test planning and delivery where required.
• Identify, manage, and mitigate quality and delivery risks.

Key Skills & Experience

• Extensive experience in Quality Assurance leadership and Test Strategy development.
• Strong understanding of modern QA practices, tools, and methodologies.
• Ability to influence technical solutions with a focus on design for testability.
• Proven leadership and governance experience within large-scale programmes.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience establishing and managing QA frameworks, standards, and reporting.
• Excellent risk management and mitigation capabilities.
• Experience working across multiple delivery teams and project streams.
• Demonstrable track record of delivering quality outcomes within challenging timelines.
• Ability to define and promote best practice and continuous improvement.

Desirable Experience

• Active SC Clearance.
• Experience working within large-scale transformation or modernisation programmes.
• Public sector or highly regulated environment experience.

Assignment Details

• Role: QA Lead
• Location: Telford (2 days per week onsite)
• Duration: 6 Months
• Clearance: BPSS (SC advantageous)

Reasonable Adjustments:

Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients.

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