Group Head of QA and Testing – Pension Software – Bristol
Location: Emersons Green (Hybrid working)
Salary: Up to £80,000 + bonus + benefits
No agencies
The Company
You’re crucial to unlocking the potential of our market leading software (as voted for by our Clients – UK’s no.1 pensions admin software 2022 and 2023). Yes, we’re ahead of the game with what our software does, yes, we pride ourselves on reacting quickly to our changing environment, but without you, our long list of blue chip and household name clients don’t get any of that good stuff.
Our flagship product is IntelliPen, a state-of-the-art, Internet browser-based pensions and benefits administration system, encompassing workflow, document management, payroll, accounting, reporting and all of the functionality a modern pensions department will demand.
The Job
It’s exciting times here at Procentia as we launch into our growth plan. Our new Group Head of QA & Testing will be crucial to us being renowned for our quality delivery as well as innovative products.
As a strategic leader you’ll thrive in setting direction for our QA and testing practice, you’ll enjoy working across UK and international borders and with international clients, and you’ll have an expert understanding of IT & software testing to build a function that adds another layer of strategic advantage to our business.
You’ll make sure the testing function works operationally and has involvement in early stages like requirements gathering, through to helping with quotes, running test planning, execution and delivery. And you’ll naturally be ending with looking back to see how things went to see if we need to improve how we do things.
To do all this you’ll need a top-class team behind you, so you’ll want to keep a handle on resourcing and the skills you have in the team, and in developing them to remain a high-performing function. This could also include subcontract resourcing and managing those people and the supplier relationship.
Here's what you'll be doing:
* Putting our clients’ success at the heart of everything you do.
* Developing and implementing a comprehensive, end-to-end QA & Testing strategy aligned with our business goals.
* Leading and mentoring a QA & Testing team, fostering a culture of continual improvement and innovation.
* Championing best practices in testing methodologies, including automation, performance, and security testing.
* Partnering with engineering, product, and other stakeholders to ensure quality is embedded throughout the development lifecycle.
* Overseeing the development and implementation of robust testing tools and frameworks.
* Driving the continuous improvement of our QA & testing processes and metrics.
* Staying abreast of industry trends and implementing cutting-edge QA & testing practices.
* Experiencing the delivery of multiple projects at the same time.
* Ability to guide whether testing meets major architectural requirements.
* Ensuring the quality of the system as a whole.
* Contributing to and implementing our quality strategy.
* Working with us and our clients to create commercial opportunities for the testing function.
* Taking time to understand our clients, their systems and nuances.
* Being commercially astute and able to build budgets, monitor & improve chargeable work being done, and presenting strategies and transformation in a commercially attractive way.
* Managing stakeholders, internal and external, to understand their expectations and requirements, and making them happen.
* Being accountable for providing high quality stress testing, performance testing, and functional testing using standard industry toolkits and automation.
* Making sure documentation is complete and accurate.
* Working across all teams collaboratively and providing objective feedback where needed.
* Being able to present strategies and findings to different stakeholder communities and get complex information across really well.
* Nurturing the test team and making onboarding new people a great experience for them.
* You’ll be mentoring and coaching people to be the best they can be.
* Building credibility with team members and supporting team members by sharing knowledge and providing feedback
* Having fun, being curious and bringing energy to the job
Key skills and experience:
* Proven track record of building and implementing successful QA & Testing strategies.
* Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.
* Strategic thinking with a focus on continuous improvement.
* Global mindset with the ability to work effectively across diverse teams and cultures.
* Problem solving skills
* Ability to balance client and business needs effectively
* Attention to detail
* Quick learner and enjoys taking in new information
* Ability to lead a team and develop team members skills
* Extensive experience in software testing leading a function area/ team, including automation
* Track record of line-managing teams of people well
* Able to operate in an Agile delivery environment
Our generous benefits package offers:
* 25 days holiday (plus public holidays) increasing with length of service up to a maximum of 28 days
* Carry over holiday (up to 1 week)
* Buying and Selling holiday (up to 1 week)
* Volunteer day – 1 day per year to support a charity or cause that positively impacts the local communities
* 5% Employer contribution pension
* Life Assurance
* Private Medical Insurance
* Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
* Health care cash plan
* Cycle to Work Scheme
* Tech Scheme- affordable way to get the latest home and tech for you and family
* Byond (exclusive discounts on everyday spend)
* Tusker – Electric Car Leasing scheme
* Refer a friend bonus
* Annual subscription for up to a maximum of two professional bodies
* Procentia Plodders and Pacers – running club
* Weekly office fruit basket
* Procentia Pantry
* Monthly socials
If you think you have most of what we are looking for, then what are you waiting for? Go ahead and apply. We’d love to hear from you!
Procentia is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. If selected for an interview, we will be happy to work with you to ensure your interview is accessible and accommodation is provided. When your interview is being scheduled, please advise us of how we might be able to support your participation.