Senior testing and environments manager

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Testing & Environments Senior Manager to join our IT team, based in A&O Shearman's Belfast Office. Information Technology team - Belfast

The core of the global technology department's mission is to provide stable, reliable, and secure platforms and services to our partners, staff and clients and fulfil our regulatory obligations across 30+ countries. To ensure that a consistent and standardised IT service is delivered to all offices, IT is managed and led as a global function, enabling all offices to benefit from complete systems integration and economies of scale. We have around 400 technologists based predominantly in the UK, Singapore and increasingly in the US.

Enterprise Architecture and Technology Platforms

To develop and maintain the firm's technology strategy and enterprise architecture. In parallel, own, improve and simplify the firm's key technology 'building blocks' by designing, building and managing the core technology platforms which are fundamental to delivering strategic business goals.

What you will do

Reporting to the Head of Software Engineering, this role provides management of testing resources and testing environments to meet A&O Shearman's business requirements, quality assurance goals, and compliance obligations.

The role is a member of the Enterprise Architecture & Technology Platform teams and is responsible for defining the testing strategy and framework for the project delivery lifecycle, business as usual testing, directing external third-party service providers, and management of testing environments.

The role is accountable for the efficacy, accuracy and completeness of project lifecycle testing, along with the security, integrity and performance of testing environments, and representing quality assurance at the Change Advisory board.

The role also provides guidance and feedback on testing best practices to internal software engineering DevOps teams delivering bespoke software.

• Overseeing the testing of project delivery workstreams and business-as-usual testing.

• Managing and maintaining testing environments, collaborating with infrastructure and security teams to ensure the environments remain secure, available, and cost-effective,

• Owning the Test Data Management tooling and implementation across projects and teams.

• Attend Change Advisory Board (CAB) meetings as a representative for quality assurance.

• Maintain strong customer relationships with fee earners and business teams to manage the quality.

• Work as part of the Enterprise Architecture & Technology Platforms leadership team to collectively define, implement and operate the firm's testing and test environment strategy.

• Work with senior stakeholders from Infrastructure & Operations, Tech Delivery, and the Process Team to maximise the stability of releases.

• Act as the focal point for matters related to software testing strategy and environment management, providing expert guidance to other teams when required.

• Performance management of external testing teams, providing mentorship and ensuring alignment with HR standards and policies.

• Facilitate regular service provider reviews to assess performance against service targets, drive innovation, and ensure any remediation activities are being delivered.

• Own the software testing strategy and environment management budget and benefits delivery, balancing priorities and clearly demonstrating the value that software testing strategy and environment management delivers whilst working with IT Business Operations to ensure alignment.
• Actively identify and pursue opportunities for continuous improvement in software testing strategy and environment management, whilst assessing the viability and business value for the firm.

What you will have

Experience:

• Extensive experience in manual and automated testing, preferably within the legal or professional services sector.

• Deep knowledge and understanding of automated testing of Cloud-based SaaS applications, testing environments, and operational management.

• Knowledge of IT strategic planning, design, and operations processes.

• Proven project and program management capabilities.

• Familiarity with testing frameworks in the C#, JavaScript/TypeScript, PowerShell, and Python ecosystems.

• Strong knowledge of current IT and data market trends and technology innovations.

• Proven track record of managing large globally dispersed teams.

• Hands-on and current test automation practitioner and able to configure environments with scripting

• Experience within the IT industry, leading high-performing test teams.

• Working knowledge of creating, configuring and maintaining cloud-based test environments.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.

What we can offer you

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, online discounts and lifestyle management services.

We recognise the value of flexible working and embrace hybrid working, so that we can learn, grow and succeed together.

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic. NO AGENCIES PLEASE - A&O Shearman does not accept unsolicited CVs. For further information, please see our UK Recruitment Agency Policy and our commitment to direct sourcing here .

About A&O Shearman

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world's most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future. We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world's leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients. Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to an inclusive environment, and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing. What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.