Test Manager (Project Trident)

Xoserve; Metropolitan Borough of Solihull; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading data services provider in the UK is looking for a Test Manager to oversee the end-to-end testing strategy for a complex programme. The role involves leading testing across all phases, ensuring comprehensive test planning and defect management. Candidates should possess strong testing methodologies, analytical skills, and experience managing supplier-led testing. The position offers a competitive salary up to £62,000 and various benefits including a generous pension scheme and annual leave.

Benefits

Competitive annual salary

Discretionary individual bonus up to 10%

Generous Pension Scheme

Private Medical Insurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading all phases of testing across large-scale, complex programmes.
• Strong understanding of testing methodologies with hands-on expertise across the testing lifecycle.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, high attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Define and deliver the Project Test Strategy and associated Test Plans.
• Lead testing delivery across all phases and third-party suppliers.
• Manage the creation, execution, and maintenance of high-quality test plans.

Skills

Test management

Defect management

Testing methodologies

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

ISTQB certification (Foundation level or above)

Tools

Test automation frameworks

Test management tools

Job description

Overview

The Test Manager (Project Trident) is accountable for defining and delivering the end-to-end testing strategy and execution for Project Trident, one of Xoserve's largest and most complex transformation programmes. The role holds full ownership of test delivery across all phases and suppliers, ensuring testing is comprehensively planned, governed, executed and reported in line with programme milestones and quality expectations. Acting as the single point of accountability for test delivery, the Test Manager coordinates testing across third-party supplier teams, systems, environments and stakeholders to ensure solutions are fully tested and release ready. Working closely with the Xoserve Test Assurance Manager, the role ensures alignment with Xoserve's testing policies, standards and assurance framework, supporting quality gates and release readiness decisions while retaining ownership of test planning, execution, defect management, environment readiness and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Define, own and deliver the Project Test Strategy and associated Test Plans for Project Trident, aligned to programme risks, delivery milestones and Xoserve's Test Policy, Organisational Test Strategy and Test Assurance Framework
• Lead and take full accountability for testing delivery across all phases and third-party suppliers, including System Integration Testing (SIT), End-to-end Testing, nonfunctional testing, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), and industry and market testing, ensuring alignment with the wider programme lifecycle
• Manage the creation, execution, and maintenance of high-quality test plans, test cases, and related documentation to ensure effective and efficient testing within projects. Monitor adherence to standards and support the team in delivering accurate, up-to-date test artefacts
• Ensure non-functional testing requirements (including performance, resilience and security) are identified early and fully embedded within the overall testing approach and delivery plans
• Oversee the planning, readiness and ongoing management of test environments and test data, working closely with suppliers and platform teams to mitigate environment and data related risks
• Own defect management across the programme, ensuring consistent identification, triage, prioritisation, tracking and resolution of defects, with transparent reporting of status, trends and residual risk
• Provide clear, accurate and timely reporting on test progress, quality, risks and trends, consolidating supplier and delivery team inputs to support release readiness and go live decisions
• Assure the adequacy and effectiveness of supplier testing approaches and outcomes, providing constructive challenge, assessing coverage and quality, and escalating risks or non-compliance where thresholds are not met
• Support controlled promotion of code and configuration through test environments by providing evidence-based test readiness assessments aligned to agreed quality gates and programme governance
• Proactively identify, manage and mitigate testing related risks, dependencies and constraints to maintain delivery confidence and protect programme outcomes
• Ensure effective execution of testing activities supported by robust governance, quality assurance and objective, evidence-based release readiness decision making
• Lead and manage test teams comprising internal resources and third-party suppliers, ensuring clear accountability, effective resource allocation, consistent ways of working and alignment to delivery timelines
• Provide leadership across manual and automated testing, championing quality assurance, a shift left testing mindset, test automation and continuous improvement aligned to industry best practice
• Ensure effective knowledge transfer of test artefacts, automation assets and lessons learned to support operational continuity and future change initiatives
• Collaborate with architects, technical specialists and senior stakeholders to embed consistent testing governance across Xoserve's systems landscape
• Champion a culture of quality, learning and continuous improvement, driving improvements in testing maturity, efficiency and assurance

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading all phases of testing across large-scale, complex programmes or transformation initiatives
• Demonstrated experience managing supplier led and multivendor testing delivery, including coordination, oversight and assurance of outcomes
• Strong understanding of testing methodologies, with broad and hands-on practical expertise across the testing lifecycle and disciplines
• Proven hands-on experience with test automation frameworks and tools, with the ability to provide informed leadership and challenge
• Strong working knowledge of test management and defect management tools
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a high level of attention to detail
• Comfortable operating within governance, assurance and quality frameworks
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to build strong relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organisation
• Experience in line management
• ISTQB certification (Foundation level or above), Experience working within utilities, energy or other regulated environments
• Previous exposure to complex, data-driven systems or large-scale industry platforms

Rewards and Benefits

• Xoserve is the Central Data Service Provider, that sits at the heart of Britain's complex gas market as a specialised contract management and assurance company. Xoserve maintains accountability for the delivery of the Data Services Contract for the industry, which is delivered by a key outsourced service provider.
• A competitive annual salary up to £62,000 per annum (based on skills and experience)
• Discretionary individual bonus up to 10%
• Generous Pension Scheme - up to 12% employer contribution
• Generous Life Assurance provision - 4 x basic salary
• 28 days annual leave plus 8 statutory days in addition
• Income protection for employee after 12 months service
• Enhanced annual leave entitlement, with opportunity to buy additional holiday each year
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Commitment to provide learning & development opportunities
• Access to contributory Private Medical Insurance for employee and family (Bupa)
• Health cashback plan for employee plus up to four dependent children (Medicash)
• 24/7 virtual GP plus remote access to Physiotherapy, Mental Health Support and Medical Second Opinion (Help@Hand)
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme (Octopus EV)
• Free confidential Employee Assistance Programme (LifeWorks)
• A wide range of wellbeing initiatives
• Fantastic range of discounts on high street retailers, grocery stores, cinema tickets, holidays and more
• Volunteering hours for our local communities
• Financial support to help cover the cost of one annual professional membership subscription