Programme Test Manager

We are seeking a highly experienced Programme Test Manager to join our QA team. The successful candidate will be responsible for improving the QA practices for one of our clients who wants to give more focus quality of deliverables. They have many scrum teams, and it will be assessing, recommending and driving through process change. The role requires defining test strategies for large and complex test delivery, reviewing, implementing, and training on testing tools ensuring they are leveraged effectively within a QA context, reviewing test practices and maturity, defining improvement path and coaching the team on change. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in a top tier consultancy, extensive client facing experience, and a strong technical background in system testing, e2e integration testing, user acceptance testing, performance, and resilience.

What you will be doing:
- Defining test strategies for large and complex test delivery focussed on online booking systems and associated websites and applications

- Reviewing, implementing, and training on testing tools ensuring they are leveraged effectively within a testing activity

- Reviewing test practices and maturity, defining improvement path and coaching the team on change

- Participating in the test delivery, ensuring the testing meets quality, time, and cost objectives

- Working with key stakeholders at the client, building strong trusted relationships

- Having a clear understanding of the firm’s commitment to creating a more inclusive culture

- Driving automation maturity, direct scope and priorities for automation teams

- Defining quality KPIs, test progress and status reporting

- Managing your time and daily tasks to ensure project success

- Helping develop staff on your teams

- Keeping abreast of industry trends and advancements in ecommerce and software testing

What we want from you: 

- Experience of system testing, e2e integration testing, user acceptance testing, performance, and resilience

- Experience of testing monolith and composable commerce cloud-based implementations

- A proven track record in a top tier consultancy and extensive client facing/ stakeholdeer experience

- ISTQB foundation or higher

- Relevant Test Management and leadership experience with Test Management Tool Expertise (such as ADO, Xray, Zephyr, Tricentis)

- Good understanding of automation best practice and tooling

- Experience of testing Web Services either using Postman / SOAP UI / ReadyAPI or Automated frameworks such as RestAssured or RestEasy

- Ability to drive automation maturity and direct scope and priories for automation team

- Experience defining quality KPIs, test progress and status reporting

- Track record of bug advocacy and defect management

- Proven technical ability - combined with strong business acumen

- Previous System Testing and Integration Testing experience – technical testing background

- Full knowledge of the project lifecycle and experience of working on a multi-stream Agile delivery model across multiple locations

- Be a problem solver. You must be able to think through technical problems and provide pragmatic solutions

- Experience of providing estimates for testing effort

- Understanding of automated quality pipelines and how testing can and should be incorporated

- Experience of using JIRA and creating Dashboards

- Experience of producing effective management reports, managing expectations and conflict as well as great resource planning experience.

- Experience and knowledge of data governance with strong understanding of data dependencies and structures (preferably with knowledge of JSON)

- Risk identification, management, and mitigation experience

If you know some of this, even better: 

- Retail sector experience

- Microservices testing experience

- eCommerce platform knowledge in HCL Commerce, Magento, SAP Commerce or Salesforce

- Experience of using content management systems

- Knowledge of the following technologies & applications; Java, Oracle, MySQL, XML, JSON, UNIX

- Exposure to test automation tools, such as Java or JavaScript based frameworks

- ISTQB Certified Agile Tester qualification

- (url removed) accreditation

What we can offer you:

Alongside the opportunity to work with some of the most exciting brands around the world, we’ll also prioritise your career development and help you grow your skills. We’ll empower you to make a difference, allow you to be yourself, and respect who you are.

We offer a great benefits package including hybrid working that works for everyone, discretionary bonus, competitive pension, social events, training opportunities, medical and dental insurance, life assurance, meal cards and much more.

VML is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce to create connected brands and drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Intel, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave™ Reports, which name WPP as a “Leader” in Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. As the world’s most advanced and largest creative company, VML’s global network is powered by 30,000 talented people across 60-plus markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.  

 AT VML Commerce & Technology:

 Our commerce and technology division houses strategic consultants, creative and technical architects and skilled developers, testers, operators and many more that together help some of the world’s leading organisations to deliver outstanding digital experiences across all major routes to market worldwide: marketplaces, online retailers, D2C, B2B and social platforms. With over 4,200 experts in 55 operational centres across 34 countries, our capabilities span the entire buying journey from customer acquisition, through engagement, to conversion and loyalty, driving multi-channel growth for world-leading brands. 

 We work with some of the most exciting brands such as The Coca-Cola Company, EY, Bosch, Unilever, Ford, DFS, Mercedes-Benz, Johnson & Johnson, Nestlé, Sainsbury’s, Selfridges, Shell and Tiffany & Co. 

 We’ve built over 500 platforms for brands and retailers and generate in excess of $29bn annually for our clients and work with over 50 strategic partners including Adobe, SAP, Salesforce, HCL, Shopify, Sitecore, BigCommerce, commerce tools and Acquia.

 Our reputation is based on our people, and we believe we have some of the best in the business.

As our business grows internationally, we’re looking for new people to join us on our journey to inspire and take a key role in shaping some of the best commerce solutions, services, and websites in the world. Working as a team, no problem is insurmountable; we share in our clients’ successes and believe that anyone can show creative bravery no matter what their role is in the team.
If you need reasonable adjustments at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.

At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization—creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers—who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction. 

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