This role is for Atlanta Group, Part of the Markerstudy Group The QA Lead is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the QAs, ensuring they work towards proving the software meets all specified requirements. The role involves close collaboration with developers, product managers, and other stakeholders to understand requirements, create test plans, and drive the execution of test cases. The QA Lead will be expected to manage the testing on small projects and provide QA oversight across the Group. The QA Lead also plays a crucial role in managing and mentoring team members, enhancing testing processes, and ensuring the alignment of QA resource and activities with project goals. There is also a hands-on element to this role Typical Accountabilities Test Planning and Strategy: Develop detailed test plans and strategies, ensuring comprehensive coverage of features and functionality. Define testing scope, objectives, and deliverables based on project requirements. Test Management: Manage the testing for small projects run in Agile sprint or Waterfall methodology, manage the execution of test scenarios, monitor test progress, and manage defects to ensure timely and effective issue resolution. Test Execution: Where demand requires it; Design, Develop and Execute test scenarios including regression testing, and ensure that all tested software meets quality criteria. Leadership: Provide guidance, mentorship, and support to QA team members, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment. People Management: Manage multiple Senior QA Analysts/QA Analysts/Associate QA Analysts and be responsible for career development, objectives, performance reviews and other people management responsibilities. Identify training needs for team members to enhance skills and knowledge in QA methodologies and tooling. Quality Assurance: Ensure that software meets all specified requirements and quality standards. Implement and maintain quality metrics to monitor and improve testing processes. Collaboration: Drive collaboration with product managers, business analysts, developers, and other stakeholders to clarify requirements, resolve issues, and ensure a common understanding of quality expectations. Also collaborate with fellow QA leads to ensure alignment in QA processes, standards and guiderails. Communication: Act as a primary communication point for QA, providing regular status updates to stakeholders Process Improvement: Continuously assess and optimize testing processes and practices for greater efficiency, effectiveness, and alignment with industry best practices Resource Planning and Management: Analyse and manage QA resource requirements for upcoming work, to ensure projects, BAU and other streams of work are adequately resourced within squads. Coordinate with other teams for Systems Integration Testing (SIT). Drive an ‘automation first’ approach to all testable items Conduct QA review sessions/retrospectives Promote and drive the implementation of QA best practices within squads and project teams, including with third party partners Oversee and review the testing in squads by QAs, ensuring correct processes and standards are being followed. Offer support and guidance where necessary Work with the Principal QA, Test Managers and other QA Leads to be aware of software industry developments and continually review testing processes and strategies to ensure that the squad remain current. Standard Accountabilities To actively support and encourage at all times, compliance with our quality principles, company policies and best practice in security, legal and regulatory requirements. To safeguard information, paying particular attention to customer and employee data and business sensitive information To be aware of and understand Atlanta’s Whistleblowing Procedure and Code of Conduct. To question and act upon concerns about malpractice or wrongdoing by following the Atlanta’s Whistleblowing Procedure Ensure your own continuous professional development by participating in external networking / conferences /associations / groups, to stay current on Industry developments & innovations. Encourage, support and coach other team members in their own development. Maintain a positive and solution-oriented approach to work, providing open and honest feedback. In all internal and external contact, present a professional and positive image of the department, the team and the company as well as maintaining mutually constructive, positive, and beneficial relationships. Take all reasonable steps to ensure appropriate confidentiality. Undertake such other duties, training and/or hours of work as may be required, and which are consistent with the general level of responsibility of this role Essential Extensive experience in software QA, with an expert understanding of modern testing methodologies, tools, and practices Extensive experience working in both agile squads and project teams Strong exploratory testing skills and experience, with the ability to upskill others in this skillset Strong knowledge and experience of technical QA skills, specifically API testing and mobile/browser testing Strong knowledge and working experience of Test Driven approaches to software engineering (ATDD, BDD & TDD), with the ability to upskill others in this skillset Strong leadership skills with the ability to guide and mentor QAs Strong knowledge and appreciation of test automation Strong working knowledge of functional and non-functional testing Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues and contribute to their resolution A passion for quality and a continuous improvement mindset Experience in mentoring development squads/teams in their approach to QA Strong interpersonal skills that demonstrate a curious, learning and brave approach to work Demonstratable experience in similar Lead positions with the ability to line manage multiple QAs Experience working with 3rd party development/test partners both onshore and offshore