Job Title: QA Manager
Location: Fully Remote (UK Based)
Department: Technology
Reports To: Head of Software Development
About the Company:
Our client is a well-established, member-owned specialist insurer in the UK, focused on providing award-winning Income Protection, Private Medical Insurance, and Cash Plans. As a mutual, they are owned by our members, not shareholders, allowing them to prioritize long-term value and exceptional service. They are committed to innovation and are undergoing an exciting digital transformation to enhance member experience.
About the Role:
This is a rare opportunity for an experienced and driven QA Manager to impact their growing Technology team significantly. As a newly created, fully remote role you will be responsible for building and leading the in-house QA function, defining QA strategy, and championing best practices as they transition away from outsourced partners. You will have the unique opportunity to build a team, implement processes and guide the future of Quality Assurance while enjoying the flexibility and work-life balance that comes with remote working.
Key Responsibilities:
* Team Leadership & Development:
o Recruit, build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of remote QA professionals.
o Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and knowledge sharing within the QA team and across the Technology department.
o Conduct performance reviews, identify training needs, and support the professional development of team members.
* QA Strategy & Process:
o Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive QA strategy that is aligned with industry best practices, regulatory requirements, and the company's business objectives.
o Define and enforce QA processes, methodologies, and standards across the entire software development lifecycle (SDLC).
o Drive the adoption of test automation frameworks and tools to improve efficiency, test coverage and reduce time to market.
o Establish and monitor key quality metrics (e.g., Defect Removal Efficiency, Test Coverage, Automation Coverage) to track progress and identify areas for improvement.
o Manage the QA budget and resources effectively.
* Testing & Quality Assurance:
o Oversee all aspects of testing, including functional, non-functional, regression, integration, security and user acceptance testing (UAT).
o Ensure comprehensive test planning, test case development, test execution, and defect management for all projects and releases.
o Implement and maintain a robust test environment management strategy.
o Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory requirements within the financial services/insurance industry (e.g., FCA, PRA guidelines).
* Collaboration & Communication:
o Work closely with business stakeholders (Product Owners, Developers, Project Managers, and Business Analysts) to ensure alignment and effective communication throughout the SDLC.
o Champion a "shift-left" approach to quality, promoting early and continuous testing.
o Provide regular, clear reporting on QA activities, progress, risks, and issues to senior management.
* Continuous Improvement:
o Stay up-to-date with the latest QA trends, tools, and technologies, evaluating their potential application within the company and driving their adoption where beneficial.
o Proactively identify opportunities to improve QA processes, tools, and methodologies, fostering a culture of innovation within the team.
o Drive initiatives to enhance the overall quality and efficiency of software delivery across the business.
Skills and Experience:
* Essential:
o Proven experience as a QA Manager or Test Lead, with a demonstrable track record of successfully building and managing high-performing QA teams.
o Strong understanding of various testing methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, etc.) and the software development lifecycle (SDLC).
o Extensive experience with both manual and automation testing techniques, with a strong emphasis on driving automation adoption.
o Hands-on experience with industry-standard testing tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Selenium, Appium, Postman, JMeter, Playwright)
o Experience in creating and maintaining detailed test plans, test cases, and test scripts.
o Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and persuade at all levels.
o Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a keen eye for detail.
o Proven experience working in a regulated environment, preferably within the financial services or insurance industry.
o Demonstrable experience managing and leading remote teams effectively.
* Desirable:
o Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure)
o Experience with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices.
o Experience with performance and security testing.
o ISTQB Advanced Level Test Manager certification or equivalent.
o Certified Scrum Master (CSM) or SAFe certification.
o Experience in migrating from outsourced to in-house QA.
Benefits:
* Competitive salary up to £75,000 per annum.
* Fully remote working (UK-based).
* Generous non-contributory pension scheme.
* Private medical insurance.
* Life assurance.
* 28 days holiday plus bank holidays.
* Support for professional development.
* Opportunity to make a significant impact in a growing and dynamic organization.
To Apply:
If you are a passionate and experienced QA leader looking for a challenging and rewarding opportunity to build and shape a QA function from the ground up, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience, your approach to building and leading QA teams and your salary expectations. #J-18808-Ljbffr