QA Lead

Searchability; Shrewsbury; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 131,000; Full time

Job summary

Searchability is seeking a QA Lead to shape and govern the testing strategy for a major HMRC modernisation programme. You will provide technical leadership, drive QA governance, and ensure embedding of quality across multiple project streams.

You will collaborate with Project QA Leads, clients and senior stakeholders to align test approaches with programme principles, managing risks and ensuring QA commitments are met.

Qualifications

• Extensive QA leadership experience on large programmes.
• Expertise in test strategy and governance across multiple projects.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to shape QA standards and embed quality across delivery lifecycles.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive programme-wide QA strategy and governance.
• Oversee testing activities across project streams to ensure consistency.
• Engage with clients and stakeholders to agree QA scope and approaches.
• Review QA deliverables and risk registers, ensuring timely delivery.

Skills

QA leadership

Testing strategy

Governance

Stakeholder management

Quality assurance

Risk management

Test lifecycle

Program governance

Job description

QA LEAD – TEST STRATEGY & GOVERNANCE

• £625 per day | 6-month contract
• Telford – 2 days per week onsite
• BPSS clearance required; active SC clearance would be advantageous
• Lead programme-wide Quality Assurance strategy, governance and testing across a major HMRC modernisation programme

ABOUT THE CLIENT

Our client is delivering a major modernisation programme supporting critical government business platforms. Working across multiple projects and delivery teams, the programme is focused on strengthening quality, consistency and governance throughout the testing lifecycle.

This is an opportunity for an experienced QA Lead to shape programme-wide testing standards, influence technical approaches and ensure quality assurance is embedded throughout delivery.

THE QA LEAD ROLE

As the QA Lead, you'll take ownership of the Quality Assurance strategy and framework across the programme, providing technical leadership, governance and oversight of testing activities across multiple project streams.

You'll work closely with Project QA Leads, clients and senior stakeholders to ensure project-level test approaches align with programme principles, while driving consistent quality standards, managing risks and ensuring delivery teams meet their QA commitments.

Key responsibilities include:

• Implementing the programme's QA strategy and driving consistent adoption across all project streams.
• Working with Project QA Leads to deliver QA activities and deliverables in line with agreed principles and standards.
• Engaging with clients and key stakeholders to define appropriate QA scope and approaches.
• Providing guidance, support and constructive challenge to Project QA Leads and accountable team members.
• Reviewing project-level test approach documents to ensure alignment with programme strategy.
• Establishing monitoring, reporting and governance processes for QA deliverables.
• Leading programme-wide QA governance and ensuring visible adherence to agreed standards.
• Performing quality reviews of test approach, completion and other supporting documentation.
• Supporting project-level test planning and reviews where required.
• Identifying, assessing and mitigating risks throughout the testing lifecycle.
• Authoring and maintaining the programme QA strategy, reporting and completion documentation.

QA LEAD ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• Extensive experience in Quality Assurance and test strategy development.
• Strong knowledge of modern QA tools, testing methodologies and best practice.
• Experience leading QA across complex programmes, multiple projects or delivery teams.
• Ability to influence technical solutions, particularly around design for testability.
• Strong leadership, governance and assurance capabilities, including challenging approaches and outcomes where necessary.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Proven experience in risk identification, mitigation and management.
• Experience producing, reviewing and managing programme-level and project-level QA deliverables.
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with a track record of delivering QA activities within agreed timescales.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams and establish consistent quality standards.