Test Manager

Cornerstone; Theale; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

30 days annual leave

Pension scheme & life insurance

Private medical insurance

Job summary

Cornerstone in the United Kingdom is seeking a Test Manager to define and implement robust QA and testing strategies across projects, ensuring quality is embedded from the outset. You will collaborate with stakeholders, delivery teams and suppliers to guard delivery quality and manage risks.

In this hybrid role, you will own test planning, execution and reporting, and lead UAT and risk mitigation across multiple programmes to ensure solutions meet high quality standards before production release.

Qualifications

• Experience in QA and Test Management within software implementation projects.
• Significant experience designing and implementing testing strategies for complex programmes and projects.
• Strong knowledge of Agile and Waterfall delivery methodologies.
• Hands-on experience with testing tools, automation frameworks and test management platforms.
• Proven experience managing third-party suppliers and service providers.
• Strong understanding of DevOps practices and dependency management.
• Extensive experience in risk and issue management within project delivery environments.
• Ability to manage competing priorities across multiple initiatives.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at all levels of the organisation.
• Strong planning, organisational and problem-solving capability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience managing and leading teams in matrix environments.
• Project or Programme Management experience would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Define and Lead Testing Strategy
• Create and implement enterprise-wide QA and testing approaches across projects and programmes, ensuring consistency, governance and best practice.
• Own test planning, execution, defect management and reporting across multiple initiatives, ensuring all solutions meet defined quality standards.
• Work closely with senior business stakeholders to manage testing priorities, expectations, risks and dependencies across competing programmes of work.
• Embed Quality Throughout Delivery
• Develop project-specific test strategies and ensure quality is built into every phase of the development lifecycle.
• Lead testing during project delivery and pre-production phases, including writing and executing test scripts and supporting User Acceptance Testing (UAT).
• Manage Risks and Issues
• Identify, track and mitigate testing risks and issues, providing timely escalation and clear recommendations where required.
• Build trusted relationships with internal teams, delivery partners and suppliers to drive successful testing outcomes and continuous improvement.
• Monitor and manage third-party testing and delivery partners, ensuring adherence to agreed standards, quality expectations and service levels.
• Ensure Compliance and Governance
• Support Health & Safety, Business Continuity, Environmental and Information Security requirements, contributing to Cornerstone's ISO and compliance obligations.

Skills

QA & Test Management

Testing strategy design

Agile & Waterfall

Testing tools & automation

Vendor & supplier management

DevOps practices

Risk & issue management

Stakeholder management

Planning & organization

Communication skills

Team leadership (matrix)

Project/Programme Management

Education

Honours Degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related discipline

Tools

Automation frameworks

Test management platforms

DevOps tooling

Job description

Vision: To be the UK's leading digital infrastructure partner, enabling a fully connected future

Mission

Deliver reliable, high-quality site access, infrastructure and services that support our customers' evolving connectivity needs.

About Us

For almost two decades, Cornerstone's infrastructure has quietly supported the UK's mobile networks. Whilst we continue to strengthen that foundation and extend its reach, we're in an exciting period of acceleration and product development that will see us enable more connectivity and compute to more communities and industries across the UK.

Test Manager

As our Test Manager, you'll play a critical role in protecting and enhancing the quality of the technology solutions that underpin our business. You'll be responsible for defining and implementing robust QA and testing strategies across projects and programmes, ensuring quality is embedded from the outset and risks are identified and managed before they impact delivery.

Working across both Agile and Waterfall environments, you'll collaborate with business stakeholders, delivery teams and third-party suppliers to ensure every change meets the highest standards before it reaches production.

Why This Role Matters

As Cornerstone continues to evolve and invest in technology, ensuring the quality, reliability and stability of our systems has never been more important.

This role safeguards the successful delivery of strategic business change by establishing effective testing frameworks, managing risk, and ensuring solutions are fit for purpose before deployment. You'll influence stakeholders across the business, drive consistent quality standards, and help create a culture where quality is everyone's responsibility.

Your expertise will ensure technology changes are delivered confidently, efficiently and with minimal operational risk.

What You'll Do

Define and Lead Testing Strategy

Create and implement enterprise-wide QA and testing approaches across projects and programmes, ensuring consistency, governance and best practice.

Own test planning, execution, defect management and reporting across multiple initiatives, ensuring all solutions meet defined quality standards.

Work closely with senior business stakeholders to manage testing priorities, expectations, risks and dependencies across competing programmes of work.

Embed Quality Throughout Delivery

Develop project-specific test strategies and ensure quality is built into every phase of the development lifecycle.

Lead testing during project delivery and pre-production phases, including writing and executing test scripts and supporting User Acceptance Testing (UAT).

Manage Risks and Issues

Identify, track and mitigate testing risks and issues, providing timely escalation and clear recommendations where required.

Build trusted relationships with internal teams, delivery partners and suppliers to drive successful testing outcomes and continuous improvement.

Monitor and manage third-party testing and delivery partners, ensuring adherence to agreed standards, quality expectations and service levels.

Ensure Compliance and Governance

Support Health & Safety, Business Continuity, Environmental and Information Security requirements, contributing to Cornerstone's ISO and compliance obligations.

What You'll Bring

• Experience in QA and Test Management within software implementation projects.
• Significant experience designing and implementing testing strategies for complex programmes and projects.
• Strong knowledge of Agile and Waterfall delivery methodologies.
• Hands‑on experience with testing tools, automation frameworks and test management platforms.
• Proven experience managing third‑party suppliers and service providers.
• Strong understanding of DevOps practices and dependency management.
• Extensive experience in risk and issue management within project delivery environments.
• Ability to manage competing priorities across multiple initiatives.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at all levels of the organisation.
• Strong planning, organisational and problem‑solving capability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience managing and leading teams in matrix environments.
• Project or Programme Management experience would be advantageous.
• Honours Degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Engineering or a related discipline.

Why Join Us?

Reward & Recognition

Competitive salary and excellent bonus structure.

Time to Recharge

30 days' annual leave.

Long-Term Security

Competitive pension scheme and life insurance.

Flexibility

Hybrid working to help you balance work and home life.

Health & Wellbeing

Private medical insurance including dental and optical cover.

Lifestyle Perks

Cycle to Work scheme, Electric Car scheme and retail discounts.

Community & Growth

A generous refer-a-friend scheme and opportunities for professional development.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is fundamental to our success. We strive to cultivate an inclusive environment where every employee feels valued, respected and empowered.

By embracing unique perspectives and experiences, we drive innovation and strengthen our organisation.

We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to ensuring everyone can present their best self throughout the recruitment process.

If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.