ICT Test Manager

Job Description

The Test Manager will establish the ICT test strategy and framework, identify process improvements and contribute to corporate testing standards and definition of best practiceClient DetailsThe Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) is an independent national service. They make fair and final decisions on complaints about the NHS in England, UK Government departments and some other public organisations. PHSOs are at the forefrontof stamping out social injustice and changing lives for the better. Their investigations lead to widespread improvements in public services and give people a voice when they feel they have not been treated fairly. PHSOs work is driven by its values of independence,fairness, excellence, and transparency. Currently going through an exciting period of growth, the organisation is looking to create an even more vibrant working environment and welcomes applications from candidates with diverse backgroundsDescription

• Define, create and maintain Test Strategy and Framework, including governance, process, policy, templates and other artefacts required, to formally establish the ICT test function
• Lead and influence good end to end test practice within PHSO and support the adoption of the best practice in other functions where applicable. Identifies improvements to the process and assists in their implementation
• Scope, create and monitor the test calendar to supplement the project/programme/portfolio plans and support the engagement with business stakeholders, and the individual test plans to ensure all digital projects are delivered successfully
• Identify the test needs for BAU/smaller changes, implement the overall departmental test plan and execute regular tests for these changes
• Management of the end-to-end testing activities within a development project
• Take responsibility for early life-cycle validation and verification
• Co-ordinate testing for a development project or programme
• Engage and work with colleagues and stakeholders in the creation and management of detailed test scenarios and associates test cases and scripts to ensure that they are fit for purpose and adhere to the test strategy
• Lead on defect management and produce metrics on any defects found
• Participate in the release control/sign-off process and release decisions
• Collaborate with stakeholders as required to agree the testing strategy to be employed for development projects
• Ensure that any risks associated with test strategy and the system test plan are clearly documented and described to the clients/users and colleagues
• Provide authoritative advice and guidance to colleagues on any aspect of test planning and execution
• Plan, arrange, and control meetings, workshops and relations with stakeholders during test planning and throughout subsequent development and testing activities
• Establish and plan the automated testing strategy for the project or programme, identify and implement a platform to automate previously manual scripts
• Development and maintenance of any test script repositories to ensure that they are fit for purpose
• Develop, negotiate, and agree schedules and priorities for test services, with respective users, in line with Service Level Agreements
• Effectively estimate costs, timescales, and resource requirements for the successful delivery of the projects to the agreed terms of reference
• Monitor costs, timescales, and resources used, and take action where these deviate from agreed tolerances
• Forecast and recommend the needs for additional capacity and capability to the team
• Actively represent the testing function, ensuring that effective relationships are built and maintained with the business

ProfileEssential:

• Excellent analytical skills and an informed, evidence-based approach
• Previous experience in managing the test function, including establishing the governance and framework, also hand-on experience in creating test scripts and conducting test
• Proficient in using the methods and techniques associated with planning and monitoring progress of test projects.
• Defining test scope with stakeholders and suppliers
• Applying the principles, methods, techniques, and tools for the effective management of the testing process and the execution of tests throughout the lifecycle of projects
• Proficient in the collection, analysis and reporting of testing metrics
• Methods and techniques for the assessment and management of risk in relation to end to end testing
• Experience of managing test defects and recording results of any that are retested
• Check progress against targets; report and escalate exceptions/issues as necessary and take action to resolve exceptions
• Proficient in applying methods and techniques for structured reviews, including reviews of technical diagrams, test plans, business cases and any other key deliverables
• Experience of identifying, hiring, and working with 3rd party suppliers to conduct specific tests or carry out organisational wide audit

Desirable:

• Knowledge of M365 and Dynamics365 environment
• Identify improvements to the testing process and presents improvement suggestions to colleagues and senior management and manage their implementation
• Experience of working with project methodologies in an Agile environment. Familiar with Agile techniques such as defining user stories & acceptance criteria, story mapping, TDD/ATDD
• Relevant professional qualifications such as ISTQB Certified Tester

Job Offer

• Salary £50,653 to £56,159
• Civil Service Pension scheme (minimum 26.6% employer contribution)
• Generous basic holiday entitlement of 30 days. We also offer an additional 2.5 extra-statutory holidays on top of the normal public and bank holidays
• Flexible working
• Access to a wide variety of internal and external well-being support, 24/7 assistance programmes and health advice
• access to Headspace mindfulness and wellbeing app