Role Overview The Head of Test will be responsible for defining, leading, and executing the testing strategy across all software products. Operating in a highly regulated environment, the role demands an expert in testing methodologies with an appreciation of the life sciences industry's unique requirements, including compliance, data integrity, and system validation. This leader will oversee Integration Hub, Product and Project Test teams and ensure that the organisation delivers high-quality, reliable, and compliant software solutions to its customers. Key responsibilities will include defining, maintaining, and implementing a scalable testing strategy for all our solutions and client deliverables, whilst keeping abreast of changing industry trends and business needs, and driving innovation, automation, and quality. The Head of Test will play a pivotal role in ensuring our software solutions meet the highest standards of quality and compliance, positioning the company as a trusted partner within the life sciences industry. Strategic Leadership Develop and implement a comprehensive testing strategy aligned with the organisation’s goals and regulatory requirements. Establish and maintain a culture of quality and continuous improvement across all testing practices. Collaborate with senior leadership to integrate testing processes into the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and product roadmap. Ensure testing methodology and tools comply with industry standards such as GxP, 21 CFR Part 11, and other relevant regulatory frameworks. Operational Excellence Lead and manage the Test team, including recruitment, performance management, and professional development. Define, monitor, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) for testing, including defect density, test coverage, and release quality. Oversee the planning, execution, and automation of functional, non-functional, integration, system, regression, and performance testing. Ensure thorough validation of software products to meet compliance, security, and data integrity standards specific to life sciences. Technical Leadership Drive the adoption of modern testing tools and methodologies, including test automation and DevOps practices. Develop and maintain test environments and frameworks to support efficient and effective testing processes. Champion the use of automation for test execution, reporting, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines. Collaborate with engineering, product, and regulatory teams to address complex technical challenges and ensure testability of solutions. Skills and experience sought from applicants Software Testing Knowledge Demonstrable expertise in developing and implementing comprehensive test strategies across various testing methodologies, including: Functional Testing, Regression Testing, Performance and Load Testing, Integration Testing and Exploratory Testing Experience with testing complex, multi-tenant SaaS platforms, ensuring high availability, scalability, and security. Familiarity with agile project methodology. Proficiency in testing cloud-native architectures hosted on platforms like Salesforce or AWS. Experience in integrating robust test suites into CI/CD pipelines using tools like Jenkins and, GitLab CI. Proven ability to design, deploy, and optimise scalable test automation frameworks. Ability to balance automated and manual testing to maximise quality outcomes efficiently. Leadership and Management: Ability to align testing strategies with the company’s overall product roadmap and business objectives. Proven track record of driving quality improvements by leveraging innovative technologies, automation, and best practices. Skilled in recruiting, mentoring, and retaining top talent in test engineering and automation. Building a collaborative culture, promoting accountability, and fostering a growth mindset within teams. Strong ability to work alongside product management, development, DevOps, and customer success teams to establish and meet quality benchmarks. Communicating testing progress, risks, and results effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Experience creating and managing budgets for tools, personnel, and training. Proposing cost-effective solutions to improve testing efficiency without compromising quality. Core Skills: Ability to identify trends and insights from testing metrics to make data-driven decisions. Skilled at prioritising testing efforts based on risk, business impact, and project timelines. Exceptional ability to spot inconsistencies, edge cases, and potential system vulnerabilities. Adept at creating clear and concise test documentation, dashboards, and reports tailored to diverse audiences. Ability to mediate conflicts and build consensus among diverse teams. Thrives in dynamic, fast-paced environments where priorities can shift rapidly. Demonstrates resilience in the face of tight deadlines or unforeseen challenges. Qualifications and Experience Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field. Equivalent experience may be considered. Proven history of leading QA/testing in SaaS organisations, particularly those serving regulated industries. ISTQB Advanced Level Test Manager, Certified ScrumMaster, or other relevant certifications.