Test Assurance Lead

Talent Smart; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Talent Smart is seeking an experienced Test Assurance Lead to provide independent testing assurance across a complex technology transformation programme with multiple suppliers and partners. You will lead the client-side UAT activities, coordinating with business stakeholders to ensure effective testing, informed go/no-go decisions and robust evidence for governance.

The role combines governance with hands-on testing to ensure solutions are fully tested, fit for purpose and ready for operational

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in Test Assurance or Test Leadership within complex technology programmes.
• Proven experience in independent, client-side test assurance and supplier oversight.
• Strong understanding of end-to-end testing lifecycle, including UAT and operational acceptance.
• Demonstrable experience developing and leading business-led UAT.
• Experience establishing test governance, quality gates and entry/exit criteria.
• Strong knowledge of requirements traceability, test coverage and evidence-based assurance.

Responsibilities

• Provide independent assurance of supplier test strategies, plans, methodologies and execution.
• Review testing coverage, environments, test data, resources and supporting evidence.
• Establish and maintain test governance, quality gates, entry and exit criteria.
• Develop and coordinate the client-side UAT strategy, scenarios, schedules and acceptance criteria.
• Engage and coordinate business stakeholders and UAT testers.
• Manage UAT progress, defect triage, prioritisation and retesting.
• Ensure requirements traceability across business, functional and technical requirements.
• Identify testing gaps, quality risks, unresolved defects and readiness concerns.
• Assess operational readiness, service acceptance and testing completion.
• Produce assurance reports and evidence-based recommendations to support programme governance and go/no-go decisions.
• Constructively challenge suppliers and delivery partners where testing quality or evidence is insufficient.

Skills

Independent governance

Supplier oversight

Testing lifecycle

UAT leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

ISTQB Advanced Level Test Manager

Tools

Azure DevOps

Jira

HP ALM

Xray

Zephyr

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Test Assurance Lead to provide independent, client-side testing assurance across a complex technology transformation programme involving multiple suppliers and delivery partners.

This is a senior, hands-on role combining independent test governance and assurance with responsibility for establishing and coordinating the client's User Acceptance Testing (UAT) approach.

You will independently assess supplier test strategies, plans, execution evidence, test coverage and defect management, ensuring solutions meet agreed business and technical requirements and are ready for operational acceptance.

You will also lead the client's UAT activities, working closely with business stakeholders and delivery partners to ensure effective testing and informed go/no-go decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide independent assurance of supplier test strategies, plans, methodologies and execution.
• Review testing coverage, environments, test data, resources and supporting evidence.
• Establish and maintain test governance, quality gates, entry and exit criteria.
• Develop and coordinate the client-side UAT strategy, scenarios, schedules and acceptance criteria.
• Engage and coordinate business stakeholders and UAT testers.
• Manage UAT progress, defect triage, prioritisation and retesting.
• Ensure requirements traceability across business, functional and technical requirements.
• Identify testing gaps, quality risks, unresolved defects and readiness concerns.
• Assess operational readiness, service acceptance and testing completion.
• Produce assurance reports and evidence-based recommendations to support programme governance and go/no-go decisions.
• Constructively challenge suppliers and delivery partners where testing quality or evidence is insufficient.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Minimum 5 years' experience in Test Assurance, Test Management or Test Leadership within complex technology programmes.
• Proven experience in independent, client-side test assurance and supplier oversight.
• Strong understanding of the end-to-end testing lifecycle, including system testing, integration testing, UAT and operational acceptance.
• Demonstrable experience developing and leading business-led UAT.
• Experience establishing test governance, quality gates and entry/exit criteria.
• Strong knowledge of requirements traceability, test coverage and evidence-based assurance.
• Experience managing defect triage, prioritisation, resolution and retesting.
• Experience working across multi-supplier or systems integration environments.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, including engagement with senior programme stakeholders.
• Confident in challenging suppliers and providing objective assessments of testing quality and readiness.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience as a dedicated Test Assurance Lead or Independent Test Assurance Lead.
• ISTQB certification, ideally Advanced Level Test Manager.
• Experience with Azure DevOps, Jira, Xray, Zephyr or HP ALM.
• Knowledge of Agile, Waterfall or hybrid delivery methodologies.
• Experience in large-scale infrastructure, engineering, public sector or regulated environments.
• Understanding of non-functional testing, ITIL, service transition and operational acceptance.
• PRINCE2 or MSP programme governance experience.

The Ideal Candidate

You will be a pragmatic and experienced Test Assurance professional who understands the difference between managing supplier testing and independently assuring its effectiveness.

You will be confident reviewing detailed testing evidence, challenging delivery partners, leading business-facing UAT and presenting clear recommendations to senior stakeholders.

This role requires someone who can combine strong governance and assurance expertise with a hands‑on approach to ensuring solutions are fully tested, fit for purpose and ready for operational use.