Job Description

Posted 3 weeks ago

Start Date: ASAP
Contract Length: Initial 12 months
Location: Remote (Occasional travel to client site in either Manchester or Newcastle)

Day rate: £434 Inside IR35
Security Requirement: Minimum 5 years UK residency

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Test Manager to lead the definition and delivery of the Private Beta Test Strategy for a GDS-aligned digital service. This is a strategic QA leadership role, focused on setting direction, standards, and frameworks to enable delivery teams to execute high-quality testing in later phases.

You will define the purpose, scope, and approach to quality assurance, ensuring a structured, user-centred testing framework is in place and aligned with Government Digital Service (GDS) principles.

Key Responsibilities

Define and own the Private Beta Test Strategy, including scope, objectives, and QA approach
Establish entry and exit criteria, roles and responsibilities, tooling, risks, and reporting measures
Design testing approaches across the Testing Pyramid, including automation, manual, and non-functional testing
Translate non-functional requirements (NFRs) into effective test strategies and test cases
Define performance testing approaches and quality metrics
Oversee test data preparation strategies and environments
Ensure testing tools and approaches integrate effectively into CI/CD pipelines
Work closely with product, delivery, and technical teams to ensure quality is embedded throughout the lifecycle
Align testing practices with GDS lifecycle standards and user-centred design principlesMandatory Skills & Experience

Proven experience as a Test Manager / QA Manager / Test Lead
Strong background in writing and owning test strategies for complex digital services
Deep understanding of the Testing Pyramid and modern automation approaches
Experience testing web-based, full-stack applications
Knowledge of performance testing and non-functional testing methodologies
Ability to translate NFRs into test cases and quality metrics
Experience integrating testing tools into CI/CD pipelines
Experience with test data preparation and management
Minimum 5 years UK residency (mandatory)