Testing Manager

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1 st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

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Job overview

Are you an experienced Software Test Lead or Manager with a passion for quality, assurance and digital transformation?

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Test Manager to lead testing across a portfolio of digital systems and transformation programmes.

Reporting to the Test & Release Senior Manager, you will lead the Testing Team and oversee the planning, coordination and delivery of testing across multiple projects. You will manage all aspects of the testing lifecycle, including planning, execution, defect management and reporting, ensuring solutions meet functional requirements before deployment into operational and clinical environments.

Working with project teams, suppliers and stakeholders, you will coordinate testing across SIT, ST and UAT while promoting best practice.

We are looking for an experienced testing leader with strong knowledge of testing methodologies, Agile delivery and software development lifecycles. You will have a proven track record of leading testing activities in complex environments and influencing stakeholders to deliver successful outcomes.

As part of the newly formed Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, this role offers an opportunity to help shape and develop the Testing & Release function. You will support major digital transformation programmes, influence testing standards and governance, and help deliver high-quality digital services for patients, clinicians and operational teams.

Main duties of the job

Lead and manage the Testing Team, providing effective line management, performance oversight, appraisals, leave management and staff development. Deputise for the Senior Testing and Release Manager and hold delegated responsibility for approving timesheets and expenses. Develop, implement and maintain testing policies, procedures and change control processes in line with best practice, while fostering a culture that embraces technology and continuous improvement. Provide expert leadership in software testing, supporting major digital programmes and embedding Agile methodologies across the team. Oversee testing activity across multiple test levels, including system, integration and user acceptance testing, ensuring accurate planning, estimation, monitoring and reporting of progress. Work closely with suppliers and stakeholders to resolve defects and enable successful delivery of testing activities. Develop and refine testing processes, produce reports and testing documentation, and provide mentoring, guidance and support to colleagues across the Trust in test script development and execution. Coordinate and influence resources beyond direct line management to ensure testing objectives are achieved and high-quality outcomes are delivered.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations,operatingfrom three main sites at Southmead, Bristol citycentreand Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that theSouth Westhas to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit andretaina workforce whichrepresentsthe rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your applicationin order toensurewe’remeeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Training, Knowledge and Experience

• Highly developed specialist knowledge in testing knowledge, through degree qualification, or significant experience of working at similar level.
• ISTQB Foundation/ ISTQB Advanced Qualification or equivalent experience.
• Leadership of Testing within a large and complex IT environment.
• Experience of producing test artefacts to support testing for a large integrated suite of systems.
• Experience managing defects and working with suppliers to take them through to resolution.
• Knowledge and understanding of testing best practice across different levels of testing.
• Knowledge and understanding of clinical systems such as EPR systems and/or Theatre systems.
• Knowledge of SDLCs such as SCRUM and SAFe.
• Knowledge and understanding of how testing works with the various teams involved in a large project such as Analysis, Business Intelligence and Data Warehouses, Development/Config, Data Migration, Training and Project Management.
• Experience in using tools such as Azure DevOps or similar for the management of testing and defects would be desirable
• Knowledge and understanding of how systems integrate and familiarity with HL7 would be advantageous

Communication Skills

• Have excellent communication skills, sufficient to impart highly complex information to a wide range of audiences.
• Excellent communications skills, with the ability to understand and interpret customer requirements and deliver the correct level of information dependent upon the audience.

Analytical Skills

• Be able to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of solution options
• Excellent communications skills, with the ability to understand and interpret customer requirements and deliver the correct level of information dependent upon the audience

Planning Skills

• Ability to translate local and national requirements into an information plan.
• Ability to plan allocation of resources against changing priorities and emerging pressures.

Management Skills

• Significant expertise in staff management, coaching, team building and change management.
• Experienced manager with substantial experience at a senior level.
• A leader and motivator with a successful history of building, developing and motivating teams to perform at the highest level.

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.

BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.

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The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

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IMPORTANT:

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

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