Programme Test Manager - Telecoms/Core Network

We are seeking an experienced Programme Test Manager to lead the planning, coordination and governance of multiple interdependent testing programmes across complex mobile core network environments for our client.

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and maintaining a single integrated test-bed roadmap, ensuring efficient utilisation of shared testing environments while managing technical dependencies, programme priorities and delivery risks.

This is a senior, cross-functional role requiring strong telecommunications expertise, programme management capabilities and stakeholder engagement skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, manage and maintain an integrated test-bed roadmap across multiple telecommunications programmes, projects, releases and network migrations.
• Coordinate testing schedules, resource allocation, environment availability and technical dependencies.
• Manage competing programme priorities and identify opportunities for safe parallel testing.
• Work closely with Network Design, Architecture, Test, Operations, Programme Management and external vendors.
• Identify scheduling conflicts, shared-resource constraints and critical-path dependencies.
• Establish test-bed readiness criteria covering network configurations, access, test data, equipment and resources.
• Lead cross-programme planning meetings, governance forums and stakeholder discussions.
• Manage risks, issues, dependencies and change-control activities.
• Produce programme dashboards, integrated schedules, management reports and executive updates.
• Ensure testing activities meet quality, security, operational and regulatory requirements.
• Support continuous improvement in test-bed utilisation, reporting and programme delivery.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Extensive experience in Telecommunications Test Management, Programme Management or Network Integration.
• Strong technical understanding of mobile core network architectures and end-to-end service dependencies.
• Experience working with 4G, 5G, EPC, IMS, VoLTE, VoWiFi and mobile network services.
• Experience managing complex testing programmes involving multiple stakeholders, vendors and delivery teams.
• Proven ability to develop integrated programme roadmaps, master schedules and dependency plans.
• Strong understanding of test environments, network integration, configuration management and test readiness.
• Knowledge of end-to-end testing, integration testing, regression testing, performance testing and defect management.
• Experience with RAID management, critical-path planning, change control and governance.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage conflicting priorities and influence senior stakeholders.

Desirable Skills

• Experience within major UK mobile network operators, particularly network environments.
• Understanding of subscriber data, policy and charging, signalling, roaming, OSS/BSS and network security.
• Experience with large-scale mobile network transformation, convergence and migration programmes.
• Experience managing shared pre-production environments and network test beds.
• Knowledge of OpenText ALM or equivalent test-management platforms.
• Certifications such as PRINCE2, MSP, APM or ISTQB Advanced Test Manager.

Key Outputs and Measures of Success

• A current, approved and widely understood integrated test-bed roadmap with clear ownership, dates, dependencies, assumptions and decision points.
• Early identification and resolution of test-bed conflicts, reducing late replanning, blocked testing and avoidable programme delay.
• Transparent prioritisation decisions with documented technical and business rationale.
• Improved test-bed utilisation without compromising isolation, test validity, network safety or regression coverage.
• Programmes enter committed windows with the required technical readiness, resources and governance in place.
• Senior leaders receive timely, accurate options and impact analysis when trade-off decisions are required.
• Roadmap changes are controlled, traceable and communicated to all affected programmes and technical teams.
• Appropriate levels of reporting for each area/level

Key Interfaces

• Senior Manager, Service Test and Test Automation; Test and Assurance Manager; Programme Test Phase Leads; Test Environment and Automation teams. Design, Architecture, Demand teams, SMEs, PMs and SLT.
• Core Network Design Authorities and domain SMEs across data, voice, IMS, subscriber data, policy, charging, messaging, roaming, OSS, transport, security, radio and devices.
• Portfolio, Programme and Project Managers responsible for the interlocked delivery plans.
• Network Operations, change governance and service assurance stakeholders.
• Telecom Giant Group engineering teams, strategic suppliers, test-service partners and equipment vendors.
• Senior governance forums responsible for portfolio priorities and cross-programme trade-off decisions.