Head of QA - LVL05

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Job Title: Head of QA

Location: London (Hybrid)

Job Purpose:

The Head of QA leads and owns the QA strategy for Royal Mail, embedding modern agile QA within teams, and performing traditional waterfall test assurance. Sets the strategy of mix of internal v third parties. They are accountable for the QA budget and partner performance, ensuring we have the right Test as a Service partners, delivering value for money and quality of QA/test services, to embed quality at all levels of software engineering within Technology teams.

What will you do:

You will define, implement, and mature a QA strategy supported across technology and be accountable for the QA budget and partner performance, ensuring we have the right Test as a Service partners, delivering value for money and quality of QA/test services. You will also define and implement KPI-driven quality outcomes that support the strategy and business needs. Ensure the adoption of modern shift left test practices including test automation and embedding testing in teams not as a later phased assurance role, moving from manual test and release to automated CI/CD
You will scale down the reliance on manual Assurance type testing over time and build the right capacity/capability of Royal Mail and external testing/assurance resources and suppliers (incl. TaaS). You will target reduction of Reducing TaaS through automation or insourcing
Ensure cost-effective provision of testing/assurance capability and own the technical quality and standards of the Testing & Assurance function, driving "the how" for Product and Platform teams.

What skills and experience should you have?

• Strong technical background and expertise in Testing & Assurance principles, practices, and methodologies.
• Ability to inspire, motivate, and guide Chapter/CoP members towards common goals by setting a clear vision, providing direction, and fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Ability to negotiate and collaborate with stakeholders to reach agreement on priorities, scope, and trade-offs.
• Strong business acumen and understanding the need to balance varying sources of business demand.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to align engineering efforts with organizational goals.
• Ability to analyse complex problems, think critically, and make data-driven decisions.
• Supplier Management skills - considerable experience in dealing with external Suppliers.

Qualifications:

• Significant experience (typically 10+ years) in software development testing and assurance, with progressively increasing responsibilities and leadership roles.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.

What we offer you...

• Competitive Salary
• 18% Bonus
• Competitive Pension Scheme
• Car allowance (or cash alternative)
• Hybrid Working (2-3 days in office)
• Private Healthcare
• 25 days holiday (plus the option to buy more)
• Plus, many more benefits!

We don't expect every candidate to meet the full criteria for the role. If your experience looks a little different from the job requirements, but you feel you have the relevant skills to bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you.

Royal Mail are proud of our diverse employee network groups and the active role they play to support belonging and encourage a positive work environment. We are firmly committed to inclusion and passionate about our people representing the communities we serve.

We are happy to support your need for any adjustments during the application and hiring process. Please share the details within your application if required.