Software Quality Assurance Team Leader (Fixed Term)

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in Cambridge is seeking an experienced Software QA Team Leader to manage testing strategies for critical platforms. The role requires robust experience in Azure DevOps and a strong understanding of test automation. The ideal candidate will proactively lead testing efforts, ensuring high standards of quality and compliance, and work collaboratively across teams. An annual salary range of £42,254 to £56,535 is offered, with flexible working options available.

Qualifications

• Experience in test automation and implementation.
• Proven capability in test execution and defect management.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a virtual team environment.

Responsibilities

• Own testing strategy and execution for critical platforms.
• Review and refine existing test strategies to align with compliance.
• Define and drive automation strategies for regression testing.

Skills

Test strategy creation

Collaboration

Reporting skills

Proactive ownership

Education

Degree-level education or equivalent

Tools

Azure DevOps

Jira

Job description

Overview

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.

This role is pivotal in ensuring the integrity and reliability of digital platforms that underpin the University's research and administrative excellence.

Responsibilities

We are seeking an experienced and highly successful software QA team leader to take testing ownership of a critical platform based on Microsoft Fabric and Power BI technology. Existing services must be protected while ensuring that each new domain satisfies the requirements and meets the needs of the stakeholders. Building quality from the start and finding defects as early as possible are key criteria for any successful candidate.

The role-holder will review the existing test strategy, refine it, and ensure compliance. At a high level this will include the definition and phases of testing, scope, responsibilities, and success criteria for each phase, ensuring alignment with institutional compliance and data governance standards. The role holder will ensure testing activities are well-communicated, documented, and aligned with stakeholder expectations. Key stakeholders must have clear, concise, and timely metrics to enable informed decisions. Azure DevOps (ADO) is the current central testing tool, so experience with this or a similar tool (e.g. Jira) would be advantageous.

The role-holder will be expected to perform test execution where this is not already resourced. Non-functional Requirement testing experience is important. The QA Lead will define and drive the test automation strategy, selecting appropriate tools and frameworks to support regression and performance testing as the platform scales.

Essential Attributes/Qualities

• Strategic & Technical Expertise: Test strategy creation, systems integration, MI/reporting platform experience.
• Execution & Ownership: Proactive testing ownership, clear reporting, data quality understanding.
• Collaboration & Communication: Cross-functional teamwork, collaborative stakeholder engagement, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and presentation expertise.
• Mindset & Approach: Determination, flexibility, problem-solving, quality driven.
• Management: Excellent organisational skills, strong defect management, and compelling leadership style in a virtual team environment.

Desirable Attributes/Qualities

• ISTQB Testing (Advanced/Specialist) certification or equivalent professional experience
• Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience
• Experience with ADO or similar
• Test automation

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.

We particularly welcome applications from women and /or candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our department.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button above.

If you would like more information about this role, informal enquiries can be directed by email to Mark Galvin, Head of Systems Assurance, at [e-mail].

Please quote reference VC47417 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

£42,254 to £56,535 per annum