At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure IT changes meet compliance standards and promote Agile practices.
- Company: Join Allianz, a leader in fostering an inclusive and innovative work environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, bonuses, and discounts on insurance products.
- Why this job: Be a guardian of quality and make a real impact in IT governance.
- Qualifications: Experience in Agile methodologies and strong analytical skills required.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of continuous improvement and career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 46200 - 66000 ÂŁ per year.
The IT Quality Assurance (QA) Analyst plays a critical role in ensuring that all IT change activity across OpsIT, Transformation, and wider IT initiatives meets our organisational compliance targets. This role acts as a guardian of quality, governance, and control, ensuring that every change—regardless of delivery method—adheres to required standards, policies, and regulatory expectations. You will champion Agile ways of working while ensuring that both Agile and Waterfall delivery models operate within a robust, auditable control framework, monitoring adherence to IT change policies, and escalating non‑compliance, directly supporting our commitment to safe, compliant, and well‑governed change delivery.
This role is central to embedding consistent, compliant practices across IT. It supports the standardisation of Agile and Waterfall methods, monitors delivery performance against key compliance and quality metrics, and drives cross‑functional improvement initiatives that reduce risk and strengthen our control environment. You will act as a coach and enabler—helping teams adopt effective delivery practices while ensuring alignment with IT governance, audit requirements, and regulatory obligations.
The QA Team provides expert guidance on delivery methods and IT controls, ensuring transparency, traceability, and compliance throughout the change lifecycle. The team’s work underpins our ability to evidence control effectiveness, meet audit expectations, and achieve our compliance targets.
Key Accountabilities
- Conduct assurance reviews across Agile and Waterfall change initiatives to verify adherence to IT change policies, standards, and mandatory controls.
- Produce clear, actionable compliance reporting that highlights risks, gaps, and trends, supporting leadership in meeting compliance targets.
- Identify and elevate instances of non‑compliance, ensuring timely remediation and reducing exposure to audit findings.
- Ensure Agile and Waterfall practices are consistently embedded within IT change frameworks and aligned to auditable IT controls.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement and adaptive delivery.
- Support IT elements of the AzUK Change Framework(s), facilitating process improvement and embedding Agile and waterfall practices.
- Conduct regular reviews to ensure consistent adherence to both Agile and waterfall processes; track and report non‑compliance metrics and support resolution.
- Collect data and conduct reporting, data analysis and development of statistical models to enable use of metrics; guide process improvement and support reporting of project delivery and quality.
- Provide process advice, support and training as required to the IT and Change communities.
- Input into cross‑functional Agile forums to review and enhance working practices.
- Support initiatives that improve IT performance, operational resilience, and Agile maturity.
Governance Activities
- Collaborate with colleagues across Allianz Operations Functions (Change, IT, InfoSec, P&R and Data) and Allianz Technology in the effective delivery of change related activities and ensure Agile delivery aligns with governance and compliance requirements.
- Provide support for IT Risk and Controls processes, ensuring Agile practices incorporate appropriate controls.
Technical Skills
- Agile certifications (e.g., Certified Scrum Master, SAFe Agilist, ICAgile).
- Experience of the SDLC (Software Development Lifecycle) across both traditional waterfall and Agile deliveries.
- Six Sigma Green Belt (or equivalent process improvement/change management certification).
- Project Management (e.g., Prince 2 Practitioner, APMP, Certified Scrum Master).
- Strong IT analysis skills with an Agile mindset.
- Collaboration with parties – especially Allianz Technology and other change and run service providers, internal business stakeholders and related functional areas work streams.
- Understanding of IT and Agile governance and management practices.
- Experience of working within a regulated organisation.
- Understand/knowledge of COBIT Controls.
- Strong delivery record.
- Familiarity with Agile, test and quality metrics and reporting to various levels of business and IT management.
- Reviewing and quality assuring Agile and waterfall project deliverables and IT development and BAU operational activities.
Experience
- Experience in defining, updating, and distributing Agile and waterfall quality standards, and advising on their use.
- Conducting Agile and waterfall delivery reviews and audits of Change and BAU Run activities to ensure conformance to standards.
- Knowledge of Agile and Waterfall governance, software development lifecycles, and change management.
- Leading process improvement assignments with measurable business benefits.
- Working closely with and influencing stakeholders across multiple teams.
- Driving and leading quality improvement in a professional community.
What We Will Offer You
- Flexible buy/sell holiday options.
- Hybrid working.
- Annual performance related bonus.
- Contributory pension scheme.
- Development days.
- A discount up to 50% on a range of insurance products including car, home and pet.
- Retail discounts.
- Volunteering days.
Our Ways of Working
Do you need flexibility with the hours you work? Let us know as part of your application and if it’s right for our customers, our business and for you, then we’ll do everything we can to make it happen. Here at Allianz, we are signatories of the ABIs flexible working charter. We believe in supporting hybrid work patterns, which balance the needs of our customers, with your personal circumstances and our business requirements. Our aim with this is to help innovation, creativity, and you to thrive - Your work life balance is important to us.
Integrity, Fairness, Inclusion & Trust
At Allianz, we believe in fostering an inclusive workforce and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Our commitment to equal opportunities, gender equity, and balanced gender representation, is demonstrated by our numerous accreditations: EDGE certified for gender inclusion, Women in Finance Charter members, Disability Confident employer, Stonewall Diversity Champion, Business in the Community’s Race at Work Charter signatories, and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard employer. We embrace neurodiversity and welcome applications from neurodivergent and disabled candidates, offering tailored adjustments to ensure your success. We encourage our employees to advocate for their needs, whether it’s assistive technology, ergonomic equipment, mentoring, coaching, or flexible work arrangements.
Accessible Application for All
As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we support candidates with disabilities or long‑term health conditions through the Offer an Interview Scheme, for those meeting the essential skills for the role. Contact our Resourcing team to opt into this scheme or for assistance with your application, including larger text, hard copies, or spoken applications.
For any inquiries or to submit your application, please contact: Scott Burns
Closing date: 28/01/2025
IT Quality Assurance Analyst in Guildford employer: Allianz UK
Contact Detail:
Allianz UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Quality Assurance Analyst in Guildford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to IT Quality Assurance. Think about how you can showcase your Agile and Waterfall experience, and be ready to discuss how you've ensured compliance in past roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere—focus on companies that align with your values and career goals. Check out our website for openings at StudySmarter, where we value quality and compliance just as much as you do!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. It shows you're genuinely interested and keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace IT Quality Assurance Analyst in Guildford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with Agile and Waterfall methodologies. We want to see how your skills align with the role of IT Quality Assurance Analyst, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!
Showcase Your Compliance Knowledge: Since this role is all about ensuring compliance, be sure to mention any experience you have with governance frameworks or regulatory standards. We love candidates who can demonstrate their understanding of compliance in IT change activities.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and bullet points where possible to make your achievements stand out. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Allianz UK
✨Know Your Agile and Waterfall Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on both Agile and Waterfall methodologies. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these frameworks in past roles, especially in relation to compliance and quality assurance. This will show that you understand the nuances of each approach and can adapt to the company's needs.
✨Prepare for Compliance Questions
Since this role is all about ensuring compliance, expect questions around IT change policies and regulatory expectations. Think of specific examples where you've identified non-compliance or improved processes. This will demonstrate your proactive approach to governance and control.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be prepared to talk about your experience with data analysis and reporting. Highlight any tools or methods you've used to track compliance metrics or improve delivery performance. This will illustrate your ability to use data to drive improvements and support decision-making.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement Mindset
The company values a culture of continuous improvement, so come armed with examples of how you've driven process enhancements in previous roles. Discuss any initiatives you've led or participated in that resulted in measurable benefits, showcasing your commitment to quality and efficiency.