Role Overview
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is seeking a Head of Quality Assurance and Testing to establish from the ground up and lead testing capability across a portfolio of digital and technology programmes. This includes defining and implementing the Quality Assurance and Testing (QAT) strategy, ensuring all digital services and systems meet the highest standards of quality, security, and user satisfaction. With new digital services, the agency is establishing a comprehensive testing capability to ensure consistent quality across all delivery teams and suppliers.
Benefits
* Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
* 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King’s birthday
* Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Responsibilities
* Championing structured testing and its benefits to senior stakeholders and delivery partners to influence decision-making and drive adoption.
* Defining and managing the scope, priorities, and governance of the Test Function, establishing processes and standards in an environment with limited historical data or internal capability.
* Be the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for all testing practices, providing authoritative guidance and ensuring alignment with best-in-class methodologies.
* Implementing the MCA’s QAT strategy across programmes and projects, aligned to Digital, Data, & Technology (DDAT) standards and risk-based approaches.
* Managing test environments, data, tools, and automation frameworks to support efficient and repeatable testing.
* Overseeing defect management processes, ensuring timely triage, resolution, and reporting of issues.
* Collaborating with stakeholders and managing vendor relationships, negotiating contracts and ensuring external partners meet quality standards.
* Build and lead a community of practice for testing within the MCA, mentoring junior testers and promoting best practice.
Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills they need. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public.
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