A leading financial services organisation is seeking a Test & Release Manager to lead the transformation and maturity of their CIO Test & Release Management Centres of Excellence. The successful manager will sit at the heart of testing and quality initiatives, responsible for embedding best practices, driving adoption of industry-standard approaches, and ensuring business stakeholders benefit from high‑quality delivery across technology programmes. You will lead a team of direct reports and influence a wider group of 70 FTE, setting standards, shaping capability, and fostering a culture of shared responsibility for quality across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities of the Test & Release Manager:
* Lead and transform the Test & Release Management Centres of Excellence, embedding industry best practices and improving ways of working.
* Directly manage and coach a team of ~8, while inspiring and influencing a wider team of ~70 to deliver high‑quality testing and release management services.
* Partner with senior stakeholders, portfolio teams, and delivery directors to understand demand, optimise capability, and drive continuous improvement.
* Own sourcing, recruitment, onboarding, and development of team members, ensuring the right mix of skills and capabilities.
* Manage vendor relationships and ensure services adhere to governance, quality, and performance standards.
* Use data‑driven insights to track performance, demonstrate improvements, and inform strategic decisions.
* Represent the Test & Release function at committees and across the enterprise, driving alignment and consistency.
Key Requirements of the Test & Release Manager:
* Proven experience leading and transforming large testing teams (50+ people) within complex organisations.
* Strong track record in improving testing practices, embedding quality, and driving change across enterprise teams.
* Experience in Test & Release Management, with hands‑on understanding of industry best practices and frameworks.
* Skilled in senior stakeholder management and influencing across matrix organisations.
* Experienced in managing vendors and balancing insource/outsource strategies.
* Data‑driven mindset, able to measure, monitor, and communicate improvements effectively.
* Excellent leadership, coaching, and communication skills, with the ability to create high‑performing teams.
* Passionate about quality, agile delivery, and building shared ownership of outcomes.
#J-18808-Ljbffr