I need to fill a UAT Test Lead position urgently.  This position will be a day rate contract, ideally from July 2024 to February 2025:

Job Purpose:

To provide best practice in software testing. Supporting the Head of Testing and Environments in creating a high-performing testing team, enabling IT Services to meet the strategic aims of the University.

Duties and responsibilities:

• To support the Head of Testing and Environments in the delivery of a successful testing capability, through the provision and application of specialist testing skills
• Support Project Delivery Manager and/or Heads of Development by providing relevant test estimation, updating/delivering test plans, updated test case execution results, as well as escalating any testing issues, risks or slippages.
• To understand business requirements so that the software tested delivers the objectives and/or desired outcome of the requirements.
• To understand the master test and project plans to create the test strategy to gain understanding of the software under test and any other software related to it as well as providing input into the test schedule.
• Support the Head of Testing in defining testing strategies and processes and ensuring they are implemented across IT Services
• Contribute specialist knowledge in the creation of high-level estimates, carrying out task breakdowns and managing lower-level plans for self or team on larger projects.
• To generate test cases based on verbal or written requirements and procure or create the required test data for testing.
• To create and/or assist in creating test automation for assigned projects whilst being able to execute assigned tests (manual and/or automated) and be accountable to these.
• To report defects discovered in testing and to implement the retesting of resolved defects. Update both manual and automated test cases based on the discovered defects to improve the regression test suite.
• To report test results to relevant stakeholders and provide continual status of work progress and any problems faced to the Test Manager and/or Project Manager
• To support the team with testing tasks as required and provide continual input to the team to improve test process including the mentoring and coaching of other team members.
• To contribute specialist knowledge in the creation of high-level estimates, carrying out task breakdowns and managing lower-level plans for self or team on larger projects
• To provide specialist knowledge to support the pro-active prioritisation and resolution of application related incidents. Supporting the problem management with root cause analysis
• To collaborate with business users and/or wider project teams to formulate understanding of requirements, to triage defects and in supporting UAT.
• To work with the Head of Testing and Environments to manage planning of the testing processes and activities for changes to systems within team, including facilitating UAT, regression testing and post-release testing.
• To oversee testing activity within the team, executing test cases or test scripts and ensuring test reporting adheres to agreed standards.

Expectations in all testing roles at this level

• Experience in functional, integration, regression, systems testing, automation and UAT testing.

• To provide coaching and mentoring of junior roles in the team and across IT Services as part of personal development
• To apply and maintain specific information security controls as required by organisational policy and local risk assessments.
• To ensure compliance with University policies, regulations, legislative requirements, and quality assurance standards
• To comply with the University’s equal opportunities policy and use this role to promote equal opportunity wherever possible.
• To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your colleagues, in accordance with the University’s health and safety policy
• Any other reasonable duties that fall within the scope of the post, as allocated by the line manager, following consultation with the post holder.

Essential:

• Demonstrable experience in IT Services in a complex organisation and can show full working knowledge and proficiency of their own area of expertise.
• Leadership skills demonstrable through work experience
• Good communication skills, including the ability to describe complex technical solutions to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Good interpersonal skills, including the ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with a range of internal and external partners.
• The ability to use creativity and innovation to solve complex problems.
• Experience of test management and test planning for application development
• Is organised, has good attention to detail, is a team player and can work on his/her own.
• Demonstrable 6+ years testing experience in IT Services
• Demonstrable experience of various software delivery methodologies such as Agile, Waterfall and TDD
• Demonstrable experience of application support, including incident and problem management for business-critical systems
• An understanding of how this role can help to enhance the University’s widening participation, equal opportunities and social inclusion agendas, and a commitment to translate this understanding into action.
• Respect for the purposes of the University and a belief in, and commitment to, the role of higher education in society

Desirable:

• Experience in non-functional testing, for example, performance testing, load testing and device testing.
• Experience of working in a Higher Education context.
• Experience of coaching and mentoring for technical and non-technical audiences to significantly improve the skills, knowledge, and experience of others.

The User Acceptance Tester/Lead you will be responsible for the coordination and execution of a programme of work relating to the implementation of a new Student Record System. 

• Coordinate defect and bug prioritisation and resolution through the period of UAT testing.
• Liaison with teams across the organisation to track and assist in prioritisation efforts.
• Support configurations and testing business processes.
• Build and execute the UAT plan - working with IT and business SMEs and other stakeholders.

Beneficial:

Worked in a similar UAT Test Lead Role in a HE environment.  However, if the candidate has not worked in a HE sector before, we do still require an experienced UAT Test Lead so the candidate would have to demonstrate their experience in working in this area.

We cannot accommodate reviewing applications for candidates that have a commute more than one hour from north Bristol.  This position requires on campus working.  Initially, there will be some home working days but when we start UAT in October 2025, the candidate will be required to be working on campus 5 days per week.

I am happy to set up time for us to discuss.