Functional Test Manager

This is an exciting opportunity in the Digital Services team! You'll be joining our team at a time of transformation, shaping the future of our department. We use Agile Methodologies and promote a culture of continuous improvement.

We are looking for an enthusiastic  Functional Test Manager with great technical skills able to coach and mentor other testers and lead our test automation and functional approach to software testing. This is a rewarding role within the Test Team, and provides an opportunity to contribute to the success of existing and future services provided by Companies House.

Watch this video to find out more about working in Digital at Companies House

Companies House offers a flexible and welcoming culture that promotes a healthy work life balance as well as a proactive approach to wellbeing that allows us to be our best at work. We recognise that people are the key to our success so offer a fantastic benefits package including flexible working with no core hours, 30 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays and 1 privilege day as well as enrolment into the Civil Service Pension scheme with a contribution rate averaging 28%.

Find out more about what a great place Companies House is to work

Job description

You will be working collaboratively with a second Functional Test Manager towards common goals such as implementing quality standards and test strategies while leading our feature scrum teams and common service teams. We are migrating from Java/ Selenium and a BDD framework to a state-of-the-art Playwright/ TypeScript stack, integrated with BrowserStack Automate.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Acting as an advocate for test improvement and optimisation, while providing expert advice and guidance to teams. This includes maintaining a managed view of all test activity to ensure that testing is being appropriately carried out across all teams including risk mitigation and planning activities.
• Development of dashboards and monitoring metrics to measure quality, using the analysis of these metrics to inform future quality strategies and quality initiatives.
• Building and maintaining relationships with external organisations and companies, agreeing on contractual acceptance criteria for IT deliverables and providing assurance on the quality of external products and services.
• Staff management, succession planning, recruitment activities and supplier management.
• You will have the opportunity to make the test community thrive by exploring new and emerging tools to improve the service we provide.

  Further information of the skills required can be found on the DDaT Profession Capability Framework at Test manager - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

   

  Please note - this role requires Security Clearance. See the section 'Things you need to know' to find out more.

   

  Person specification

  We are looking for the following experience and skills which will be assessed at sift and interview.

  Experience

  • Proficient in scripting or coding using a mainstream programming language and hands-on experience with Java/ Selenium, Typescript/ Playwright.
  • Implementing and rolling out new test frameworks.
  • Coaching, mentoring and leading others, with strong interpersonal skills to foster a culture of collaboration and learning.
  • Experience testing stand-alone services as well as complex systems built of many microservices/ sub-systems.
  • Experience working in Agile/ Scrum environments.
  • Experience with cloud-based testing platforms (e.g. Browserstack Automate and AWS).
  • Proficiency at using version control systems, preferably Git.
  • Working experience with various types of databases (MongoDB, Oracle, SQL, InfluxDB).
  • Knowledge of containerisation tools (Docker, Kubernetes).

    Any experience of the following would be advantageous:

    • BrowserStack tools e.g. Live, Automate, Observability
    • Concourse / Jenkins
    • Docker
    • JMeter
    • Karate/ Rest API
    • Postman/ SOAP UI
    • Selenium Grid
    • SQL
    • Unix based systems
    • XML

       

      Benefits

      Alongside your salary of £51,584, Companies House contributes £14,943 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.  Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

       

      We offer an excellent benefits package that includes:

      • a generous 30 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays and 1 privilege day
      • enrolment into the  Civil Service Pension Scheme with a contribution rate of averaging 28%
      • a range of recognition schemes including instant awards to thank and recognise each other's efforts and contributions
      • strong ethos of equality, diversity and inclusion
      • great work life balance with flexible and mobile working available for many roles
      • a pro-active approach to employee wellbeing that allows our employees to flourish and be their best at work and has enabled us to become an  Investors In People platinum accredited employer
      • online financial support and advice
      • seasonal flu jabs
      • generous maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave allowances
      • a focus on career development and progression
      • a number of inclusive network groups to support our colleagues and a great sports and social society
      • cycle to work scheme
      • staff discount scheme
      • holiday play scheme for children
      • 3 days paid volunteering leave

         

        Next Steps

        Click  'Apply Now' to be taken to our main advert Civil Service Jobs where you can see more details regarding the role, the incredible benefits we have to offer and what it's like to work in Companies House.

         

        If you have any questions about the role or process, please reach out to kjones6@companieshouse.gov.uk.

         

        This role closes on 8 June 2025.