Southampton
Job Summary
Do you have the ambition and drive to create a new service offering for Quality Assurance and Testing, aligned to DDAT standards and risk-based approaches with training and support?
Can you help establish and shape the future of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) test community?
Have you taken responsibility for test planning, execution, and assurance across multiple delivery teams and suppliers ensuring that testing is embedded early and effectively throughout the delivery lifecycle?
If so, we'd love to hear from you
The Test Manager will create, embed and lead the MCA's testing capability across a portfolio of digital and technology programmes. This includes defining and implementing the Quality Assurance and Testing (QAT) strategy, ensuring that all digital services and systems meet the highest standards of quality, security, and user satisfaction.
Joining Our Department Comes With Many Benefits, Including:
* 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.
Read more in the Benefits section below
Find out more about what it's like working at: Maritime and Coastguard Agency - Department for Transport Careers
Job Description
The role is responsible for the establishing the MCA's QAT strategy. This is a new position and as such offers the opportunity to create a new Test Practise within the MCA. With training and support, the manager will design the test planning, execution, and assurance across multiple delivery teams and suppliers, ensuring that testing is embedded early and effectively throughout the delivery lifecycle.
*Your Responsibilities Will Include, But Aren't Limited To:*
* Build and lead a community or practice for testing within the MCA, mentoring junior testers and promoting best practices
* Own and implement the MCA's QAT strategy across programmes and projects, aligned to DDAT standards and risk-based approaches
* Lead the design and execution of test plans, including functional, non-functional, integration, regression, and user acceptance testing.
* Improve User Acceptance Testing processes, including training internal staff, implementing best practices, and ensuring thorough testing before deployment.
* Manage test environments, data, tools, and automation frameworks to support efficient and repeatable testing.
* Collaborate with delivery managers, business analysts, developers, and suppliers to ensure test coverage aligns with user needs and technical requirements.
* Contribute to procurement and supplier evaluation processes, ensuring testing capability is a key consideration.
* Commit to continuous improvement, including staying updated with industry trends, adopting new technologies, and refining testing processes.
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.
For further information on the role, please read the attached role profile
.
Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.
The role is responsible for the establishing the MCA's QAT strategy. This is a new position and as such offers the opportunity to create a new Test Practise within the MCA. With training and support, the manager will design the test planning, execution, and assurance across multiple delivery teams and suppliers, ensuring that testing is embedded early and effectively throughout the delivery lifecycle.
*Your Responsibilities Will Include, But Aren't Limited To:*
* Build and lead a community or practice for testing within the MCA, mentoring junior testers and promoting best practices
* Own and implement the MCA's QAT strategy across programmes and projects, aligned to DDAT standards and risk-based approaches
* Lead the design and execution of test plans, including functional, non-functional, integration, regression, and user acceptance testing.
* Improve User Acceptance Testing processes, including training internal staff, implementing best practices, and ensuring thorough testing before deployment.
* Manage test environments, data, tools, and automation frameworks to support efficient and repeatable testing.
* Collaborate with delivery managers, business analysts, developers, and suppliers to ensure test coverage aligns with user needs and technical requirements.
* Contribute to procurement and supplier evaluation processes, ensuring testing capability is a key consideration.
* Commit to continuous improvement, including staying updated with industry trends, adopting new technologies, and refining testing processes.
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.
For further information on the role, please read the attached role profile
.
Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.
Person specification
Required Experience:
To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:
* Significant experience in leading testing in complex digital delivery environments, ideally, but not essentially, within government or regulated sectors.
* Proven ability to define and implement test strategies across multiple delivery teams and suppliers.
* Working understanding of Agile, DevOps, and Waterfall delivery models
* Experience with test automation tools, frameworks, and continuous integration pipelines.
* Demonstrable experience in managing test environments, data, and tooling.
* Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
You can find out more about the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework by following this link: https://ddat-capability-
*Additional Information*
The role is part of the Government Digital and Data (or Government Security Profession Career Framework) profession and utilises an enhanced Capability–Based Pay Framework which provides access to a Digital and Data allowance.
The base pay is £54,857. There is no allowance for this role.
*Working Hours, Office Attendance And Travel Requirements*
Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week. Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 30 hours per week.
This role
is suitable
for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.
The expectation at present is a minimum of
60%
of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.
Occasional travel to other offices will be required, which may involve overnight stays.
If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).
Visa Sponsorship
Please note that we will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and
we will not sponsor a visa
. Therefore, this role is not open to applications from those who require sponsorship – candidates must ensure they have the appropriate right to work in the UK before applying. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.
Security Checks
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Security Clearance (opens in a new window).
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Communicating and Influencing
* Making Effective Decisions
* Changing and Improving
* Working Together
* Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
* Communicating between the technical and non-technical – Expert
* Designing and executing tests – Practitioner
* Managing, reporting and resolving defects – Expert
* Test analysis – Practitioner
* Test and quality planning – Expert
* Test engineering – Awareness
Alongside your salary of £54,857, Maritime and Coastguard Agency contributes £15,892 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic 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).
* 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King's birthday.
* Access to the staff discount portal.
* Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
* Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
* 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
* Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Find out more about the benefits of working at MCA (opens in a new window).
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
*How To Apply:*
Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's skills, and potential fit within our organisation.
The Selection Process For This Role Will Be:
Stage 1: Sift of CV and personal statement
Stage 2: Interview and presentation
You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Stage 1: Sift
At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
* Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (750 word count). Please provide evidence of your experience of the following:
* Significant experience in leading testing in complex digital delivery environments, ideally but not essentially, within government or regulated sectors.
* Proven ability to define and implement test strategies across multiple delivery teams and suppliers.
* Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead Success Profile element, experience – leading testing in complex digital delivery environments. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview.
Please note: the sift will be completed on a rolling basis whilst the campaign is still live, so you may receive your sift scores before the advert closing date.
The sift will take place week commencing 15/10/2025
Stage 2: Interview and Presentation
At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements: Behaviours
* Changing and Improving
* Working Together
* Delivering at Pace
* Communicating and Influencing
* Making Effective Decisions
Technical
* Communicating between the technical and non-technical – Expert
* Designing and executing tests – Practitioner
* Managing, reporting and resolving defects – Expert (making effective decisions)
* Test analysis – Practitioner
* Test and quality planning – Expert
* Test engineering – Awareness
You will also be required to create and deliver a presentation to assess the Behaviours Communicating and Influencing and Making Effective Decisions. Guidance will be provided if you are invited to interview.
The interviews will take place week commencing 27/10/2025.
This interview will be conducted in person at our Southampton office (Spring Place, 105 Commercial Road, Southampton, SO15 1EG) Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site (opens in a new window).
Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.
Further information on the selection process
Feedback on your application can only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
We will also hold a 12-month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here.
AI Tools and Platforms
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Complete the "Assistance required" section in the "Additional requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Document Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email for assistance.
Further Information
For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.
Pre-employment Checking
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:
* UK nationals
* nationals of the Republic of Ireland
* nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact :
* Name : Jacy Baker
* Email :
Recruitment team
* Email :
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email:
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here