Job Description

ID 3175

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The Welsh Government operates name-free recruitment. The recruiting panel will not see personal information such as a candidate's name and address during the sifting process. This policy is in line with our commitment to end bias and promote equality and diversity.

Vacancy details

Vacancy title
Senior Test Manager -


Closing date
17/11/2025, 16:00


Advertising basis
Permanent
Actual starting salary
A non-negotiable starting salary of 45,974
Salary range or pay band
SEO 45,974 to 54,431
Allowances
No
Work pattern
Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)
Group
Corporate Services and Inspectorates
Directorate
DDaT and Kas
Branch
IT Services
Location (s)
Pan Wales
Pan Wales' means that the location in which the vacancy can be based is flexible, subject to the needs of the business. A list of the Welsh Government's offices can be found on www.gov.wales/welsh-government-offices. Please note it may not always be possible to accommodate a preference for a specific office location.
Purpose of post

Welsh Government

The Welsh Government delivers digital services to people and business across Wales. Led by our Chief Digital Officer, the Welsh Government is increasingly delivering more services online and has a vision (outlined in the Digital Strategy for Wales) of improving the lives of everyone through collaboration, innovation and better public services.


To achieve this vision, the Welsh Government needs specialist digital, data and technology skills across all departments in the organisation to improve the services and policies we develop for Welsh citizens.


For more information about the benefits of making a difference with us, please see the Employee Benefits Pack.

Team/Division Overview:

This is an opportunity to join our Application, Development and Support (ADS) Team the within IT Services. This is a fast paced, user focused team who support both in house and externally purchased software.

Job Role:

This post is mapped to the Test manager in the DDaT Profession Capability Framework. Follow the link to understand the role and the required skills.


As a Senior Test Manager within the Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) profession, you will lead the development and implementation of the Quality Assurance and Testing (QAT) strategy across digital services. You will ensure that testing is embedded early and effectively throughout the delivery lifecycle, promoting a risk-based approach to quality assurance.


You will be responsible for test improvement, optimisation, and talent development, and will act as a key decision-maker in the delivery environment. This role is critical to ensuring that government digital services meet the highest standards of quality, security, and user satisfaction.


The Senior Test Manager will be responsible for drafting test strategies, test plans, test scripts and for monitoring the test results, ensuring they are communicated to the Project Manager and other stakeholders.


A key role for the Senior Test Manager is to act as the link between the Project Manager and the Business area during the test phase and to establish good rapport with the Business. Similarly, it is essential that the Senior Test Manager plays a key role in the project activity in order to fully understand the scope.

We are looking for people who are:

Enthusiastic and pro-active about resolving problems Team oriented, willing to support others when needed Organised and have good planning skills to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality outputs. Experienced in communicating with a wide range of people using different communication methods. Willing to keep up-to-date with innovative testing technologies, in particular for regression testing. Key tasks
At this role level, you will:

Be responsible for test improvement and optimisation Make important decisions relating to the testing approach and strategies within the context of a delivery environment

Your main day to day responsibilities will include:

Responsible for the entire end to end Test process (this can take the form of working with ICT Engineers/Developers at the early stages of a project as part of the SCRUM team, or for a COTS product, working towards the end of the project with Users to ensure the product integrates with our systems); Responsible for a range of different software/application testing types suitable to the relevant test phase (i.e. Unit Testing, Integration Testing, Functional and Non-Functional Testing, Performance Testing, User Acceptance Testing); Analysis of the Project Managers and Technical Leads requirements in order to draft a Test Plan for each test phase and cycle, which will provide the scope, success criteria, and Test Scripts; Manage the software testing scripts on relevant software/hardware; Utilise DevOps (ADO) for the full testing lifecyle and leverage DevOps functionality wherever possible. This will also include setting up User Stories/Tasks and Acceptance Criteria within ADO Solid understanding of the Business requirements so that relevant User Acceptance Testing (UAT) testers can be identified in order to run the test scripts; Responsible for the Defect process for each Test phase, including the collection of defects from various sources, the cataloguing, and documenting the fix employed within ADO Assess the test results against expected results and acceptance criteria; Use relevant Welsh Government test tools/products (e.g. Login VSI (Login Virtual Session Indexer), Visual Studio and ADO; Present and communicate the results effectively using appropriate styles and media; Advise and support other testing activities that may be run by other Divisions/teams/Project Managers; Lead and manage a small team of test specialists; Involvement with general Project activities.




Development opportunities
As a member of the Digital, Data and Technology profession in Welsh Government you will have access to a range of learning and development opportunities.


You will have the opportunity to work on various projects and engage with colleagues at all levels from within the profession and business areas across the organisation.


Welsh Government is supportive of your learning and development and has a range of training and opportunities available including a suite of online training, coaching and mentoring and short-term experience placements which you will be able to take advantage of depending on your learning and development needs and discussions with your line manager.



Other vacancy related information
A reserve list may be held for this opportunity. Any candidate who is successful in being offered a reserve status, will remain on the reserve list for 12 months. In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead assessment criterion: Strong understanding of risk-based testing and quality assurance processes. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

DDaT Technical Assessment:

Candidates who successfully demonstrate that they meet the minimum Experience Criteria will be invited to interview. You will receive a technical scenario for you to prepare a response ready for your interview. The technical scenario and instructions will be emailed to you 5 working days before your interview.

Hybrid working

This is a hybrid role where the post holder will be expected to attend their local Welsh Government office in line with organisation expectations and to meet business needs.



Vetting level
SC - Candidates applying for a role that requires SC clearance must have normally resided in the UK for a minimum of the last 5 years
Number of posts
2
Contact point for further information regarding the post
ICTSERVICECONTROL@GOV.WALES