Program Test Manager - SC Cleared

Program Test Manager SC clearance required 50% onsite working in London6 month contract Inside IR35 via Umbrella

We are recruiting on behalf of a well established financial organisation for an experienced Portfolio / Programme Test Manager to drive testing strategy, governance, and delivery across complex programmes and portfolios.

This is a key leadership position for a testing professional who can shape quality assurance practices, influence senior stakeholders, and ensure successful delivery across large-scale technology landscapes.

As Portfolio / Programme Test Manager, you will take ownership of the end-to-end testing strategy across multiple projects and programmes, ensuring quality is embedded throughout the Software Development Lifecycle.

You'll work closely with business and technology stakeholders, third-party suppliers, and testing teams to deliver effective testing solutions while driving continuous improvement across testing processes and governance.

• Define and implement programme-level testing strategies and plans
• Lead functional and non-functional testing activities across complex initiatives
• Manage testing resources, forecasting demand and allocating capability effectively
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to support successful User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
• Own testing governance, reporting, risk management, and quality assurance
• Oversee defect management and resolution processes
• Ensure testing standards, methodologies, and best practices are consistently applied
• Manage relationships with third-party suppliers and delivery partners
• Present testing progress, risks, and quality metrics to senior stakeholders and governance forums
• Drive continuous improvement and adoption of automation where appropriate
• Mentor and develop testing professionals within the wider team.

Essential Experience

• Extensive software testing experience across the full project lifecycle
• Strong background working within both Agile and Waterfall environments
• Proven experience creating and delivering comprehensive test strategies and test plans
• Experience managing functional, non-functional, integration, regression, UAT and operational testing
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at senior levels
• Experience leading and coordinating both in-house and third-party testing teams
• Expertise in test management and defect management tools
• Strong understanding of risk-based testing methodologies
• Knowledge of test data management and testing governance frameworks.

Qualifications

• ISTQB, ISEB or ISQI Foundation Certification (or equivalent)
• Advanced testing qualifications, Agile certifications, PRINCE2, ITIL, or related certifications would be advantageous.

If you're an experienced Test Manager who holds an active SC Clearance, looking for an opportunity to lead testing strategy across complex programmes and drive meaningful technology change, we'd love to hear from you.

Guidant, Carbon60, Lorien & SRG - The Impellam Group Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.