Software Test & Release Lead

Job Purpose

Internal job title: Test & Release Lead

Advertised Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 (depending on experience).

Location: Remote working with hub allocated when required.

Looking for a new Test Lead/Manager opportunity that offers professional development, flexible working, creative autonomy, and prioritises wellbeing?

We are the charity who look after and bring to life 2,000 miles of waterways across England and Wales, because we believe that life is better by water. Every role across the Trust plays it's part in transforming our canals and rivers into spaces where local people want to spend time and feel better, bringing wellbeing benefits to millions. See how we make difference: (https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/how-we-make-a-difference)

The role

The Test & Release Lead is responsible for overseeing the entire software release and testing lifecycle, ensuring that IT solutions are delivered on time, within scope, and at the highest quality. While no coding/building is required , this role involves coordinating and managing the efforts of multiple teams, including developers, testers, and business stakeholders, to streamline the release processes and ensure that all deliverables meet the defined requirements and quality standards.

A substantial focus of the role will be to support our ERP transformation project. The ideal applicant will be able to business need and requirements; translating this into a whole test and release solution: test strategy, planning, reporting, monitoring, etc.

The highly engaged IT team has a defined information strategy, encompassing some very exciting projects using the latest technologies, all covering a very diverse business in an organisation that is doing something good in the world. This makes the work fun, and at the same time provides opportunities for self-development, challenge and variety.

Location

You will be offered on a remote working basis, with a requirement to attend our main hub spaces as and when required for team working and collaborative meetings.

Relevant hubs include: Leeds, Liverpool, Burnley, Newark, Birmingham, Milton Keynes, Gloucester, London.

The regularity & flexibility of travel will be discussed further at interview stage.

See our canal network here: (https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network).

Knowledge, Skills/Qualifications & Experience

Read the full job advert here: Canal & River Trust - Test & Release Lead- Job Advert

Key accountabilities:

• Test ing & Test Management - Define, implement, and manage comprehensive testing strategies for both functional and non-functional requirements. Oversee the preparation, execution, and reporting of all testing phases, including unit, integration, system, regression, and user acceptance testing (UAT). Coordinate with development teams to ensure all test cases are created and executed in alignment with project timelines.
• Maintain and manage the defect tracking process, ensuring all defects are documented, prioriti s ed, and resolved efficiently.
• Identify and manage testing risks, resolving issues to ensure timely delivery.
• Release Management: Plan, manage, and coordinate software releases, ensuring smooth deployment and minimi s ing downtime or disruption. Develop and maintain the release schedule for the software products, including major releases, patches, and emergency fixes.
• Identify risks and dependencies within the release processes, proposing solutions for mitigation. Monitor and report on release progress, performance, and post-release reviews, ensuring continuous improvement.
• Continuous Improvement: Implement best practices in release and testing processes, identifying opportunities for automation and process improvements.
• Collaboration: Foster a collaborative environment where development, testing, and operations teams work together to optimi s e processes.

About you

• Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Management, or a related field.
• Experience:
  • Established experience in release management and software testing.
  • Proven experience managing the end-to-end release process for complex software products , specifically large - scale ERP .
  • Solid experience in test management, with hands-on involvement in both manual and automated testing.
  • Experience with test management tools like JIRA, HP ALM, or similar.

• Technical Skills:
  • Understanding of software development methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, etc.).
  • Familiarity with testing frameworks and automation tools (e.g., Selenium, JUnit).
  • Strong knowledge of version control systems (e.g., Git) is an advantage.
  • Experience with cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP) is an advantage.

• Soft Skills:
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Attention to detail and ability to maintain high standards of data accuracy.
  • Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.

To apply: click on the "Apply for this job" button and follow the process - complete the application form & upload current CV.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk

What We Offer

In addition to your salary of £45,000 - £50,000 depending on experience , you will benefit from a competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, great holiday entitlement and numerous other employee benefits, including several salary sacrifice benefits, all of which can be found here (https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits). These include:

• 25 days paid holiday, plus paid Bank Holidays, increasing to 27 days plus Bank Holidays after 3 years
• Home working status with 'hub' facilities available if a need to work outside of home - flexibility. Monday to Friday working, no weekend working.
• Annual £200 personal learning & growth award to spend on any learning related activity - hobbies; aspirations etc.
• Free access to specialist counselling on a range of issues - health; financial; lifestyle; well-being; domestic & neighbourly matters.
• Access to a range of employee benefits including - store discounts; boating holiday discounts; holiday purchase scheme.
• 2 days paid volunteering leave, volunteering for local community project work.

At the Trust we care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We strongly believe that a diverse workforce brings with it a diversity of ideas, thinking and ways of working which enhances what we do as a Trust. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.

All candidates will be treated on the basis of their merits, skills and abilities and solely by being assessed against the requirements for the job.

When you join the Canal & River Trust you become a member of an engaged team working to preserve our heritage for future generations. Come and share your passion and knowledge with a team that makes a difference to millions of people every day.

Find out more about us on our website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us]]>