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 principles Mandatory 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)