Senior Test Manager / QA Lead
Posted 6 days ago by Gazelle Global
Negotiable
Undetermined
Undetermined
Reading, England, United Kingdom
Summary: The Senior Test Manager / QA Lead will oversee quality assurance initiatives across complex projects, focusing on defining test strategies and leading automation efforts. This role requires managing cross-functional test teams and ensuring stakeholder alignment through effective communication and planning. The position combines technical leadership with hands-on delivery of testing best practices. The ideal candidate will also mentor junior QA professionals and act as a Subject Matter Expert for testing portfolios.
Key Responsibilities:
- Create, maintain, and gain stakeholder approval for comprehensive test strategies and plans.
- Champion quality standards across SDLC and QA deliverables; ensure consistency in templates and escalation protocols.
- Lead and drive test automation initiatives for projects and programs.
- Liaise with Performance Testing COEs and Security Teams to ensure coverage of non-functional requirements.
- Mentor and coach junior QA professionals to ensure upskilling and performance.
- Act as the SME (Subject Matter Expert) for assigned testing portfolios.
- Provide expert guidance on test planning, execution, and best practices.
- Manage stakeholder expectations regarding test timelines and deliverables.
- Oversee offshore testing efforts to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
- Ensure QA process adherence and support ISO 9001 internal/external audits.
- Engage with business users to define and manage UAT efforts.
- Provide test estimates and required documentation in support of bids and proposals.
Key Skills:
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience leading testing efforts on complex, large-scale programs.
- Expertise in CI/CD tools, especially Azure DevOps.
- Good understanding of cloud technologies and system integration.
- Proven team leadership, mentoring, and project oversight.
- Working knowledge of the Microfocus toolset, including Octane.
- Knowledge of ISO 9001, ISTQB principles, and Agile methodologies.
- Experience in test architecture, strategy, and the QA lifecycle.
- Proficiency in project planning tools, change control, and issue/risk tracking.
- Hands-on experience with version control, debugging, and QA tools.
- Demonstrated budget management and test resource forecasting.
- Broad sector exposure—airline industry experience is advantageous.
- Desirable: Experience working in regulated environments with quality management standards.
- Background in object-oriented development approaches.
- Knowledge of testing markets, emerging QA technologies, and tooling trends.
- Experience implementing strategic, long-term QA initiatives across multi-stream programs.
Salary (Rate): undetermined
City: Reading
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: undetermined
IR35 Status: undetermined
Seniority Level: undetermined
Industry: IT
Role Overview: We are seeking a seasoned Senior Test Manager / QA Lead to drive end-to-end quality assurance initiatives across complex projects. The ideal candidate will define test strategies, lead automation efforts, manage cross-functional test teams (including offshore resources), and ensure stakeholder alignment through expert-level communication and planning. This role combines technical leadership, strategic planning, and hands-on delivery of testing and QA best practices.
Key Responsibilities:
- Create, maintain, and gain stakeholder approval for comprehensive test strategies and plans .
- Champion quality standards across SDLC and QA deliverables; ensure consistency in templates and escalation protocols.
- Lead and drive test automation initiatives for projects and programs.
- Liaise with Performance Testing COEs and Security Teams to ensure coverage of non-functional requirements.
- Mentor and coach junior QA professionals to ensure upskilling and performance.
- Act as the SME (Subject Matter Expert) for assigned testing portfolios.
- Provide expert guidance on test planning, execution, and best practices.
- Manage stakeholder expectations regarding test timelines and deliverables.
- Oversee offshore testing efforts to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
- Ensure QA process adherence and support ISO 9001 internal/external audits.
- Engage with business users to define and manage UAT efforts.
- Provide test estimates and required documentation in support of bids and proposals .
Key Skills & Competencies:
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience leading testing efforts on complex, large-scale programs .
- Expertise in CI/CD tools , especially Azure DevOps .
- Good understanding of cloud technologies and system integration.
- Proven team leadership , mentoring, and project oversight.
- Working knowledge of the Microfocus toolset , including Octane .
- Knowledge of ISO 9001 , ISTQB principles , and Agile methodologies .
- Experience in test architecture, strategy, and the QA lifecycle .
- Proficiency in project planning tools , change control, and issue/risk tracking.
- Hands-on experience with version control , debugging, and QA tools.
- Demonstrated budget management and test resource forecasting.
- Broad sector exposure— airline industry experience is advantageous .
- Desirable: Experience working in regulated environments with quality management standards .
- Background in object-oriented development approaches .
- Knowledge of testing markets, emerging QA technologies, and tooling trends.
- Experience implementing strategic, long-term QA initiatives across multi-stream programs.