Senior Test Analyst

USS Investment Management Limited; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Pension scheme

Private healthcare

Cycle to Work Scheme

Job summary

USS Investment Management Limited is seeking a Senior Test Analyst to lead testing across a large and complex change portfolio. You will plan, design and execute tests with senior stakeholders, ensuring quality and alignment with strategy.

You will work closely with business, technical colleagues and third-party suppliers, developing robust test plans, data, and automation where appropriate within a hybrid working model.

Qualifications

• Proven experience across the full testing lifecycle.
• Ability to design and execute tests with traceable requirements.
• Experience with test automation and defect management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, design, preparation and execution of testing across projects.
• Design tests with clear objectives, scope and success criteria.
• Create high-quality test deliverables: scenarios, scripts, cases and expected results.
• Ensure end-to-end traceability of requirements to tests and automate where appropriate.
• Collaborate with internal and external teams to maintain test environments and data.
• Mentor team members and share testing best practices.
• Estimate deliverables to support project planning.

Skills

Test design

Test preparation

Test execution

Testing lifecycle

Stakeholder management

Communication

Test automation

Defect management

Third party collaboration

Test planning

Education

ISEB Foundation Level in Software Testing

Tools

Azure DevOps

Job description

Business Area: Pensions Solutions and ControlPlace of Work: LiverpoolContract Type: Fixed Term ContractWhen you join USS, the size and scale of our pension scheme means you will have numerous opportunities to learn and develop your career. Given our size you'll have real autonomy and influence as you collaborate closely with a wide-ranging team of experts.Our office is a vibrant place to work, and we offer flexibility of office/homeworking due to our hybrid model.About the roleIn your role as Senior Test Analyst you will make a meaningful and valued contribution from the outset. This role will provide a great opportunity to take a leading role in the planning, design, preparation and execution of testing needed to support USS’ large and complex change portfolio and small change initiatives, with minimal guidance. In your capacity as Senior Test Analyst you will develop key relationships with business, technical colleagues, and senior stakeholders across the organisation, as well as third party suppliers.This role requires you to develop and maintain your knowledge of USS’ business, products and services and industry best practice in testing. You will also take ownership of the key responsibilities listed below, whilst recognising that the role requires flexibility and adaptability to support the business in the delivery of change.What you will be doingAs a trusted part of the Pensions Solutions and Control team you will be responsible for:Taking the leading role in the robust planning, design, preparation and execution of testing aligned to the agreed testing strategy, including:Leading the assessment and review of business requirements and solution designs, to determine the optimal approach to testing, ensuring the scope of testing is understood, agreed, and communicated to all project stakeholders.Leading the design of the required tests, ensuring appropriate planning information is proactively input into test plans and schedules, where relevant and appropriate, including test objectives, areas of testing, number of required tests & cycles.Producing high-quality test deliverables and test designs appropriate to the phase of testing e.g. business test scenarios, test scripts, test cases and expected results.Ensuring that all tests include meaningful and measurable pre-requisites and success criteria.Ensuring that there is end-to-end traceability of requirements to designed test scenarios and scripts, and that business requirements are fit-for-purpose in terms of their testability.Working in collaboration with technical colleagues (internal and external) to ensure that test environments are set-up and sufficiently maintained to support the agreed phases of testing.Leading the preparation of test data, including identifying the data appropriate for the designed test scenarios, and working with technical colleagues, if required, to ensure data is available in support of all cycles of testing.Designing automated tests where appropriate, using the agreed testing tools, ensuring the necessary technical support is in place.Ensuring that all test deliverables are reviewed and approved as per agreed standards, including peer review by USS BAT Team colleagues, and by project stakeholders where appropriate.Leading and performing test design and execution activities at the required level, across all phases of testing, and being the technical expert from a test perspective throughout all project test activities, assuring:Agreed testing tools are used to execute tests (where possible and in accordance with USS’ standards), record and monitor testing progress and support management reporting, as required by the project.Test results are recorded and evaluated against the success criteria, and any deviations from expected results logged as defects.Testing is executed as per the planned testing cycles and coverage, with any deviation recorded and reported appropriately.All logged defects are actively managed to a stakeholder agreed conclusion.Test environments remain controlled throughout test execution cycles such that the integrity of test data is assured.Automation candidates are identified and built into the relevant automation testing framework during test preparation cyclesEstablishing collaborative working relationships across the organisation and with third party suppliers to in support of test preparation, design, and execution activities.Providing support and share best practice, technical skills, and product knowledge to other members of the team, and mentor less experienced members of the team, as required.Actively managing own workload and support the team’s capacity planning by providing estimates for deliverables in support of project planning activities.About youWe know that sometimes people can be put off applying for a job if they don't tick every box, if you're excited about working for us and have most of the skills or experience we're looking for, then please apply, regardless of whether you meet all the requirements outlined in this profile.To be successful in the role you will have:EssentialExceptional test design, test preparation and test execution skillsAble to demonstrate experience of the full testing lifecycle from business requirements to test execution through various test phases (Integration Testing, User Acceptance Testing [UAT], Regression Testing), Integration Testing including risk-based testing approachesUse of testing tools for test execution and defect management including test automationExperience of working with third party suppliers and testing software delivered into USS’ environments including COTS packagesExcellent communication skills: able to present complex scenarios with clarity and brevity to key project stakeholdersStakeholder management including external providers.PreferableIndustry recognised qualification in testing e.g. ISEB Foundation Level in Software TestingPensions administration system and/or investment platform knowledgeWeb-based / Digital applications e2e testing through a full stack with automated test tool experiencAzure DevOps for test management and executionWhy join us?At USS, every individual contributes to building a secure financial future for our members and their families. We strive to create a work environment where everyone can thrive professionally while making a meaningful impact on the lives of others. We're also committed to helping you build your career by providing opportunities for development. We put a focus on recognising and supporting each individual's unique career path, driving this forward with the support of an engaged and proactive management team. Here at USS, we want you to thrive in and out of work with a friendly team, flexible culture and excellent range of benefits!How we will reward youGreat starting salaryGenerous annual leave packageAccess to a high quality pension scheme provided through Universities Superannuation SchemeSupportive people policies (including enhanced occupational sickness pay and family friendly pay)Financial contributions towards your personal development to help you maintain your physical and mental wellbeingAccess to a range of health and wellbeing services i.e., private healthcare, discounted gym membershipLearning and development opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and talentEmployee Volunteer Day’s to support the communities where you work and liveCycle to Work SchemeOur culture and valuesOur people are what makes us different. We work together to create a diverse and inclusive culture that embraces individuality, where people are welcomed and feel comfortable in the knowledge that they can be themselves. Our purpose firmly states the importance of members, putting them ‘front and centre’ of what we do. This is embedded through our values:IntegrityCollaborationExcellenceAbout usUniversities Superannuation Scheme (USS) was established in 1974 as the principal pension scheme for universities and other higher education institutions in the UK. We work with around 330 employers to help build a secure financial future for almost 577,000 members and their families. We are one of the largest private defined benefit pension schemes in the UK, with total assets of around £76.8bn (at 31 March 2025). To find out more, please visit https://www.uss.co.ukUSSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strive to ensure our recruitment process is as flexible and inclusive as possible so we can attract diverse candidates and recruit the best talent. We want all candidates to perform at their best during the recruitment process, so if you need any reasonable adjustments or if there is anything we can do to help support you through your recruitment journey please let us know by contacting [e-mail].