Test Analyst

Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Great starting salary

Generous annual leave

Pension scheme

Health and wellbeing services

Learning and development opportunities

Employee Volunteer Day’s

Cycle to Work Scheme

Job summary

Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) is seeking a Test Analyst to contribute from day one within the Business Analysis & Test team. You will plan, prepare and execute testing across USS’s change portfolio, building strong relationships with business, technical colleagues and third-party suppliers.

You will keep up-to-date with USS products, services and testing best practices, taking ownership of key responsibilities while adapting to changing business needs.

Qualifications

• Excellent test analysis, test preparation and test execution skills.
• Experience across the full testing lifecycle with risk-based testing.
• Experience with testing tools for execution and defect management including test automation.
• Experience working with third party suppliers and testing software in USS environments including COTS.
• Excellent communication skills, able to present complex scenarios to stakeholders.
• Stakeholder management including external providers.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain knowledge of USS business, products and testing best practices.
• Review and contribute to test plans with project stakeholders across initiatives.
• Analyse requirements, data models and designs for testability.
• Create high-quality test deliverables and designs (scenarios, scripts, cases, results).
• Design and build automated tests where appropriate, with necessary support.
• Coordinate test environments and test data preparation.
• Execute tests and document outcomes, logging defects and monitoring progress.

Skills

Test analysis

Testing lifecycle

Test automation

Third-party collaboration

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Education

ISEB Foundation Level in Software Testing

Tools

Azure DevOps

Job description

About the role

In your role as Test Analyst you will make a meaningful and valued contribution from the outset. This role will provide a great opportunity to join the Business Analysis & Test team. You will take a critical role in the planning, preparation and execution of testing needed to support USS’ large and complex change portfolio and small change initiatives. In your capacity as 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 doing

• As a trusted part of the Pensions Solutions and Control team you will be responsible for:
• Ensure the rigorous application of USS’ testing methodology and standards in the preparation of testing deliverables, including:
• Reviewing and contributing to the development of test plans in collaboration with project stakeholders, including risk-based testing approaches, as agreed with the Test Manager, covering all phases of testing e.g. Integration Testing, User Acceptance Testing [UAT], Regression Testing.
• Analysing, reviewing and assessing business requirements, data models, solution designs and prototypes for testability, ensuring they are fully understood.
• Production of 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.
• Work in collaboration with technical colleagues (internal and external) to ensure that the test environment is set-up to support the agreed phase of testing.
• Preparing test cases including identifying and acquiring (or creating) the requisite test data in support of test cases.
• Design & build automated tests where appropriate, using the agreed testing tools, ensuring the necessary technical support is in place.
• Ensure that all test deliverables are reviewed and approved with project stakeholders, as agreed with the Test Manager.

• Perform test execution at the required level, documenting and reporting test outcomes, ensuring:
• Testing tools are used to execute tests (where possible), record and monitor testing progress and support management reporting, as agreed with the Test Manager.
• Test results are recorded and evaluated against test 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.
• Test environments remain controlled throughout test execution cycles such that the integrity of test data is assured.

• Establish collaborative working relationships across the organisation and with third party suppliers to in support of test preparation and execution activities.
• Provide support and share best practice, technical skills and product knowledge to other members of the team as required.
• Support the team’s workload planning by providing estimates for deliverables in support of capacity and project planning activities.

About you

We 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:

Essential

• Excellent test analysis, test preparation and test execution skills
• Able 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), including risk-based testing approaches
• Use of testing tools for test execution and defect management including test automation
• Experience of working with third party suppliers and testing software delivered into USS’ environments including COTS packages
• Excellent communication skills: able to present complex scenarios with clarity to key project stakeholders
• Stakeholder management including external providers

Preferable

• Industry recognised qualification in testing e.g., ISEB Foundation Level in Software Testing
• Pensions administration system and/or investment platform knowledge
• Web-based/Digital applications e2e testing through a full stack
• Familiarity with solution delivery via Microsoft’s Power App platform.
• Experience navigating Azure DevOps.

Why join us?

How we will reward you

• Great starting salary
• Generous annual leave package
• Access to a high quality pension scheme provided through Universities Superannuation Scheme
• Supportive 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 wellbeing
• Access to a range of health and wellbeing services i.e., private healthcare, discounted gym membership
• Learning and development opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and talent
• Employee Volunteer Day’s to support the communities where you work and live
• Cycle to Work Scheme

Our culture

Our 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. We are active members of:

• Social Mobility Pledge
• Menopause Workplace Pledge
• Actively support Women in Tech
• Annual Intern programme supporting individuals to gain work experience.

About us

Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) was established in 1974 as the principal pension scheme for universities and higher education institutions in the UK. We work with around 330 employers to help build a secure financial future for more than 500,000 members and their families. We are one of the largest pension schemes in the UK, with total assets of around £90.8bn (at 31 March 2022). To find out more, please visit https://www.uss.co.uk

USSL 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].