Test Manager - London, United Kingdom - Arbuthnot Latham

Description

Arbuthnot Latham has been associated with banking since 1833. We combine private and commercial banking, wealth planning and investment management. We believe in traditional relationship and service-led banking powered by modern technology.

Job Purpose

The goal of the Test Management team is to establish an industry leading test execution and test management function that provides high quality testing services to Arbuthnot Latham's technology Platform teams.

The Test Manager will be responsible for defining, developing, communicating, and embedding the Bank's Testing Approach (as part of the overall Change Management Framework) and Testing capability. They will ensure consistent application of the approach across individual projects. And in doing so, help to drive the required improvements to a core set of testing efficiency and effectiveness metrics that will be used to assess the performance of testing within Arbuthnot Latham.

In defining the Testing Approach, the Test Manager will also play a key role in identifying, selecting, and implementing new test automation tools into the Bank.

The Test Manager will be responsible for matrix managing multi-disciplined, testing teams comprising of SMEs from across individual Platform teams and business functions in the testing of changes to existing systems and the implementation of new systems.

They will be responsible for the test design, planning and execution of both Functional and Non-Functional testing across all phases of the testing lifecycle for transformation projects, workstreams of larger programmes and releases. And, where appropriate, the engagement of 3rd party test service providers.

Where not leading testing for individual projects, the Test Manager will provide guidance and support for Project Managers and Business Analysts to enable them to self-sufficiently apply the appropriate testing approach for their projects.

To place the interests of customers at the centre of all activities, act in a way that is consistent with achieving good outcomes for consumers; and to comply with the FCA and PRA's Conduct Rules.

Key Responsibilities

• Define, develop, communicate, and embed a consistent Testing Approach for use across all Platform projects. The approach will cover all phases of testing, both Functional and Non-Functional (Unit, SIT, UAT, OAT, Regression Non-functional incl. Accessibility and Security Testing).
• Responsible for managing relationships with technology and business teams to define the appropriate application of the testing strategy, testing approaches, test scenarios and acceptance criteria in line with agreed risk appetite
• Design and develop a standard suite of Testing artefacts/templates for use at each stage of testing.
• Develop and document a library of test scripts for each phase of testing for each of the Bank's core Platforms.
• Support the identification, selection, and implementation new test automation tools into the Bank.
• As part of the application of the agreed test strategy, responsible for enforcing the standards, workflows and configuration of DevOps test tooling
• Where required, take ownership for the configuration and administration of the Bank's DevOps test tooling
• Construct and monitor the project, workstream and release demand plan across Platforms. And in doing so, identify capacity constraints and devise relevant mitigation strategies.
• Create and implement detailed test schedules, resourcing and test plans to meet the project or programmes testing demand.
• Provide guidance and support for Project Managers and Business Analysts to enable them to self-sufficiently apply the appropriate testing approach for their projects.
• Where required, provide training, and coaching across Platform teams and the wider business to support colleagues in the effective application of the Bank's Test Approach.
• Ensure that own knowledge is up to date and is reflective of internal and industry best practice in terms of test methodology and techniques.
• Ensure that any risks associated with projects or programme test strategy and the test plans are clearly documented, managed and described to the stakeholders.
• Actively contribute to development of the Bank's Change Capability through active contribution to the Change Management Community practice area (Testing discipline focus).

For Projects and workstreams of Programmes and Releases requiring dedicated Test Manager deployment:

• Ensure that all test phases have appropriate entry / exit criteria and monitors achievement of these criteria.
• Define the business solution acceptance criteria and obtains sign-off against these prior to go-live.
• Understand the overall project, workstream or release benefits and how the delivered solution impacts these; selects appropriate test approaches (e.g., risk-based) to ensure delivery of benefits is not compromised.
• Create and maintain demand/supply for test resource (internal and external) ensuring resource is secured in a timely manner to support testing.
• Ensure effective issue escalation to senior management where there is a significant threat to delivery.
• Define roles and responsibilities for the test team including specific responsibility for production of all test deliverables. Builds the testing team in line with the overall Test Approach.
• Implement a well-structured approach to test defect management and provide appropriate support to incident response / management activities resulting from project delivery if required.
• Work with IT and Engineering teams, to ensure the availability of appropriate test environments and test data.
• Own and resolve issues around the technical solution delivered into the business test environment.
• Contribute to the definition of the cut-over approach/Implementation plan for individual projects, workstreams of programmes and releases and input into key go / no-go decision making.
• Determine whether test phases will be automated and selects and implement appropriate test tools.
• Produce the overall test delivery plan defining the business and IT test deliverables milestones, test tasks and activities. Track progress against these and implement strategies to recover slippage.
• Use different approaches to estimating timescales, effort, and costs for the testing phases.
• Monitor and report the status and progress of each test phase to different stakeholders.

Risk:

Responsible for managing risks inherent to the role by diligently observing internal policies and procedures.

Key Interfaces:

• Business Analyst
• PMO Manager
• IT, Operations and Business SMEs involved in testing

Person Specification

Knowledge/ Experience/Skills:

• Understanding of the Financial Services industry sectors
• Understanding of Wealth, Private & Commercial Banking (desirable)
• Good knowledge of AL's Wealth Management, Private Banking & Commercial Banking proposition, products, and services is desirable
• Matrix management experience with the ability to seek and obtain committed resourcing in a timely manner
• Detailed knowledge and experience of testing approaches and test execution within a project environment. Expert knowledge of software development and testing lifecycles
• Experience of implementing and managing test automation tools.
• Knowledge of release management methodologies and governance is desirable but not essential
• Good understanding and appreciation of change management lifecycles and methodologies (Waterfall and Agile)
• Understanding of Platform operating models including technology and operational processes
• Previous experience managing technology testing as well as the teams and individuals involved in the execution of testing is essential
• Proficient understanding of different Test Management Tools (examples such as Jira, Azure DevOps or ALM) to implement and support consistent test processes and practices

• Proficient in the use of MS Project would be advantageous
• Proficient in the use of MS Office applications (including MS Visio and MS Project)
• Ability to operate autonomously
• Good analytical and problem-solving ability
• Ability to manage self through multiple conflicting priorities and adapting to changing business demands
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills
• Clear, concise communication (written and verbal)
• Good presentation and facilitation skills
• Attention to detail, quality, high standards and controls
• Ability to escalate and report issues, risks or concerns in a timely manner

Qualifications:

• ISEB/ISTQB Software Testing Certificate Qualified
• Project Management methodologies e.g. APM, Prince2, ITIL, Scrum, Agile is desirable.
• Team Working
• Client Focus
• Working Proactively
• Planning and Reviewing
• Communication and Confidence

Life, Work and Benefits

Arbuthnot Latham is committed to equal-opportunities for all staff and candidates. We embrace inclusion & diversity and understand why they are critical for the success of our business and people.

• Competitive salary, pension & holiday allowance
• BUPA Health cover
• 4x Life Assurance
• Discretionary bonus
• Market leading maternity/paternity and menopause policies

Data Privacy and Reasonable adjustments

We take keeping your data security seriously. For more detail on how we may keep your data please refer to our Privacy Notice

Reasonable adjustments : Please let us know of any adjustments or arrangements that you may need to help you apply to this role or that will help you during the recruitment process. If you wish to discuss any particular requirements or concerns you have because of a disability or medical condition please contact us at . Information you provide about any disability or medical condition will remain confidential unless it is necessary to disclose it to other members of staff or outside agencies to ensure the health and safety of yourself and others, or to implement the adjustments you require. In these circumstances we will first discuss with you how and to whom the information may be disclosed.