IT & Software

Head Of Testing

Vallum Associates

Reading · England · United Kingdom

We are seeking an experienced Head of Testing to lead and transform the Testing and Quality Assurance function across enterprise-scale digital transformation programs. The ideal candidate will define the testing strategy, establish governance, drive quality best practices, manage testing teams, and ensure successful delivery of business-critical applications within a complex stakeholder environment.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Define and implement the overall testing and quality assurance strategy.
  • Build and lead high-performing testing teams across multiple programs and projects.
  • Establish testing standards, methodologies, governance frameworks, and best practices.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the testing function.
  • Develop test maturity roadmaps and quality metrics.

Test Planning & Delivery

  • Oversee SIT, UAT, Regression, Performance, Security, and Automation testing activities.
  • Ensure comprehensive test planning, execution, defect management, and reporting.
  • Manage testing activities across Agile, Waterfall, and Hybrid delivery models.
  • Monitor testing progress and provide executive-level reporting on quality and risk.

Stakeholder Management

  • Collaborate with Business, Product, Project Management, Architecture, and Development teams.
  • Act as the primary point of contact for quality-related governance and testing assurance.
  • Manage relationships with third-party vendors, system integrators, and testing partners.
  • Present testing outcomes, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership.

Quality Assurance & Governance

  • Define quality gates and release readiness criteria.
  • Ensure compliance with organizational policies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards.
  • Drive defect prevention initiatives and root cause analysis activities.
  • Implement and monitor KPIs, SLAs, and quality standards.
  • Promote adoption of test automation frameworks and CI/CD practices.
  • Evaluate and implement modern testing tools and technologies.
  • Drive shift-left, DevOps, and continuous testing practices.
  • Explore AI-driven testing and quality engineering opportunities.

Required Skills & Experience:

  • Explicit experience in Utility Industry.
  • 12+ years of experience in Software Testing and Quality Assurance.
  • 5+ years in Test Management or Testing Leadership roles.
  • Strong understanding of:
  • Quality Engineering
  • Test Automation
  • Agile Delivery
  • DevOps Practices
  • Risk-Based Testing
  • Experience managing geographically distributed teams.
  • Excellent stakeholder and vendor management skills.
  • Strong leadership, communication, and presentation abilities.

Technical Skills

  • Automation Frameworks (Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, Tosca).
  • Performance Testing Tools (LoadRunner, JMeter).

Preferred

  • Experience within Financial Services, Utilities, Retail, Telecom, or Public Sector.
  • Knowledge of AI-assisted testing approaches.
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Reference: WJ-766_22785946

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