Test Manager

Start Date: ASAP
Contract Length: Initial 12 months
Location: Remote (Occasional travel to client site in either Manchester or Newcastle)

Day rate: £434 Inside IR35
Security Requirement: Minimum 5 years UK residency

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Test Manager to lead the definition and delivery of the Private Beta Test Strategy for a GDS-aligned digital service. This is a strategic QA leadership role, focused on setting direction, standards, and frameworks to enable delivery teams to execute high-quality testing in later phases.

You will define the purpose, scope, and approach to quality assurance, ensuring a structured, user-centred testing framework is in place and aligned with Government Digital Service (GDS) principles.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and own the Private Beta Test Strategy, including scope, objectives, and QA approach
• Establish entry and exit criteria, roles and responsibilities, tooling, risks, and reporting measures
• Design testing approaches across the Testing Pyramid, including automation, manual, and non-functional testing
• Translate non-functional requirements (NFRs) into effective test strategies and test cases
• Define performance testing approaches and quality metrics
• Oversee test data preparation strategies and environments
• Ensure testing tools and approaches integrate effectively into CI/CD pipelines
• Work closely with product, delivery, and technical teams to ensure quality is embedded throughout the lifecycle
• Align testing practices with GDS lifecycle standards and user-centred design principles

Mandatory Skills & Experience

• Proven experience as a Test Manager / QA Manager / Test Lead
• Strong background in writing and owning test strategies for complex digital services
• Deep understanding of the Testing Pyramid and modern automation approaches
• Experience testing web-based, full-stack applications
• Knowledge of performance testing and non-functional testing methodologies
• Ability to translate NFRs into test cases and quality metrics
• Experience integrating testing tools into CI/CD pipelines
• Experience with test data preparation and management
• Minimum 5 years UK residency (mandatory)