Jobs at Honda in United Kingdom

At Honda we embrace inclusion in our policies. The hours are as required to fulfil the role with a minimum of 35 hours per week, with regular office hours 08:00 – 16:00 Monday to Thursday (half hour lunch) and 08:00 – 13:00 on Friday. We offer flexibility of when you work with a daily flex-time start between 07:00 and 11:00, subject to business requirements. There is no contractual right to work from home, but you can request to work from home 2 days per week, subject to business needs.

The Test and Release Manager holds responsibility for overseeing the full lifecycle of testing and release processes for software products within the organisation. This position requires close coordination with internal teams and third-party suppliers to ensure that every software release undergoes thorough testing, conforms to established quality standards, and is delivered punctually, thereby minimising business risk. Releases managed by this role will encompass both defect fixes and changes/features.

In leading a dedicated team, the Test and Release Manager focuses on delivering and managing high-quality testing activities. The role works collaboratively with other section managers within the team to coordinate the delivery of software releases according to agreed priorities. A continuous drive for improvement in processes and outcomes is central to the remit, ensuring optimal quality and efficiency across all testing and release activities.

The Test & Release Section Manager will have a diverse and hands-on remit, ensuring a robust and effective approach to software testing and release management across Honda Finance Europe (HFE). The main responsibilities of the role are as follows:

• Development and Implementation of Strategies: Responsible for the creation and deployment of both the HFE Test Strategy and the HFE Release Strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and best practice.
• Test Planning and Scheduling: Responsible for the formulation and execution of comprehensive test plans and schedules for software releases, ensuring all deliverables are met on time and to the required standard.
• Coordination with Third Parties: Manage and facilitate collaboration with 3rd party suppliers and internal operations teams to guarantee the seamless and timely delivery of releases, while continually seeking opportunities to drive improvement.
• End-to-End Release Management: Take responsibility for the full release process, encompassing planning, scheduling, and deployment activities for all software releases.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Track and report on the progress of testing and release activities, providing clear and timely updates to senior management.
• Risk Management: Identify, mitigate, and, where necessary, escalate risks associated with software releases to minimise business impact.
• Quality and Compliance Assurance: Ensure that all releases strictly adhere to established quality standards and regulatory requirements.
• Continuous Improvement of Release Management: Maintain and enhance the release management strategy, as well as related procedures, processes, and tools to ensure ongoing effectiveness and efficiency.
• Team Leadership: Provide direction, leadership, and guidance to the testing and release team, fostering a culture of high performance and collaboration.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with stakeholders at all levels to define, clarify, and prioritise release goals, ensuring alignment with business needs.
• Issue Resolution: Lead the resolution of issues relating to testing and release processes, ensuring swift and effective solutions.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Collaborate as part of the Business Solutions Management team to ensure harmonised working practices across Honda, with particular focus on intercompany projects.
• Business Test Pack Management: Oversee the management and continuous updating of business test packs, ensuring they remain current and fit for purpose.
• Requirements Review: Review and recommend adjustments to business requirements to confirm they are fully testable and align with project objectives.
• Project Support: Support the Business Solutions Department Manager on various projects, as directed and required, contributing expertise in testing and release.
• Reporting: Provide regular weekly and monthly reports on testing activities, ensuring transparency and informed decision-making.

• Lead, mentor and develop a team of Test Analysts, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide feedback.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• Test Management Expertise: Solid experience in Test Management and hands-on testing, with proven ability to deliver testing strategy and manage releases.
• Exceptional Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication, with a strong focus on understanding and managing customer expectations.
• Financial Services Experience: Experience in a regulated environment, understanding business requirements and operating within regulatory contexts.
• Clear Communication of Needs and Schedules: Ability to convey requirements and timelines to IT teams and end-users clearly.
• Leadership and Motivation: Self-starter with ability to lead and inspire teams while managing own workload.
• Technical Communication: Ability to present technical concepts clearly to stakeholders.
• Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills: Strong collaboration across management levels.

• Comprehensive Knowledge of Software Development: Understanding of the full lifecycle, release and version control, testing methodologies, and deployment management.
• Proficiency in Test Automation: Experience with test automation frameworks and tools.
• Automotive Finance Industry Experience: Relevant industry experience and insight.

Honda is committed to equal opportunity in the workplace and promotes respect for individual differences. We value diversity and strive to foster a culture of belonging aligned with Honda’s core values. Honda recruits, hires, trains and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race, origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability or any other protected characteristic.