At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead testing for major public sector projects and shape Amber Labs' testing practice.
- Company: Fast-growing tech consultancy focused on AI and digital transformation.
- Benefits: 25 days leave, private medical insurance, remote work, and personal training budget.
- Other info: Unique opportunity to build a practice from scratch in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in AI testing and define the future of quality assurance.
- Qualifications: Experience in testing, especially with AI systems, and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
About Amber Labs
Amber Labs is a fast-growing UK technology consultancy specialising in cloud, data, AI and digital transformation. Founded in 2020, we work with clients across central government, defence and financial services, and we are on a significant growth curve. We are not just building a business, we are building a consultancy that wants to do things differently, and AI is central to that ambition. We are now investing in building out our internal capability practices, and testing is one of the first.
This role is a unique opportunity to lead delivery on one of our most important accounts while simultaneously shaping what testing looks like at Amber Labs for years to come.
The Role
This is a dual-purpose role that sits at the heart of two of our most important priorities right now. Four days a week you will be embedded as Test Lead on our major public sector account, one of our largest and most strategically significant engagements. You will own the testing workstream across a complex, multi-team programme, driving quality, governance and assurance in a high-stakes public sector environment. One day a week you will turn your attention inward. As the person building Amber Labs' Testing Practice from the ground up, you will define what good testing looks like across the business, create the frameworks, standards and playbooks that our consultants will operate to, and help establish Amber Labs as a consultancy that is genuinely differentiated in this space.
Critically, we are looking for someone who brings real AI testing capability to this role. The ability to test AI-enabled systems, understand the unique quality and risk challenges they present, and bring that expertise into our client conversations is something that will genuinely change the dialogue for us as a business. This is not a box-ticking requirement. It is central to who we want to be.
What You Will Own
- Client Delivery: (4 days per week)
- Lead the testing workstream across a complex, multi-team government programme
- Define and own the test strategy, approach, governance and assurance framework for the account
- Manage testing across multiple workstreams including functional, regression, performance and UAT
- Work closely with delivery managers, technical leads and client stakeholders to ensure quality is embedded throughout delivery
- Act as the senior quality voice on the account, providing clear and credible reporting on test progress, risks and outcomes
- Ensure that testing processes meet the governance and compliance requirements of a regulated public sector environment
- Build strong relationships with the MOJ team and contribute to the confidence and growth of the account
- Internal Practice: Building the Amber Labs Testing Practice (1 day per week)
- Establish and lead Amber Labs' Testing Practice, defining the standards, frameworks and ways of working that will underpin quality across all our engagements
- Develop testing playbooks, templates and collateral that can be deployed across the business
- Build a community of practice for testers across Amber Labs, supporting knowledge sharing and capability development
- Contribute to pre-sales and bid activity, shaping our testing propositions and helping us win work where quality assurance is a differentiator
- Advise the business on emerging testing trends, tooling and methodologies, with a particular focus on AI
- AI Testing: A Core Differentiator
- Bring genuine expertise in testing AI-enabled systems, including LLMs, machine learning models and AI-integrated platforms
- Understand and apply appropriate techniques for testing non-deterministic systems where traditional approaches do not fully apply
- Help Amber Labs develop an AI testing proposition that sets us apart in the market and opens new conversations with clients
- Stay at the leading edge of AI testing methodology and bring that knowledge into both client delivery and internal practice development
- Support the business in positioning AI testing capability as a core part of our offer as we evolve toward an AI-focused consultancy
What We Are Looking For
- Essential
- Proven experience as a Test Lead or Senior QA Engineer in a consultancy or technology services environment
- Strong track record of owning test strategy and delivery across complex, multi-workstream programmes
- Demonstrable experience testing AI-enabled systems or products, with a clear understanding of the unique challenges involved
- Experience delivering into UK Government or regulated public sector environments
- Comfortable with a wide range of testing types including functional, regression, performance, integration and UAT
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to communicate quality and risk clearly to non-technical audiences
- Experience building or contributing to testing standards, frameworks or centre of excellence activity
- Desirable
- Experience with AI testing tools and frameworks, including those specifically designed for LLM or ML model evaluation
- Familiarity with UK Government delivery frameworks and governance requirements
- Background in setting up or leading a testing practice within a consultancy
- ISTQB or equivalent testing certification
- Experience contributing to pre-sales or bid work
Who You Are
- A quality-obsessed testing professional who genuinely cares about the outcomes their work protects
- Excited by AI and what it means for the future of testing, not intimidated by it
- A builder who wants to leave something behind, not just deliver and move on
- Comfortable operating in a scaling consultancy where you will need to be both hands-on and strategic
- Someone who can represent Amber Labs with confidence in a senior client environment
- Motivated by the opportunity to shape a practice from the ground up and have a lasting impact on how a growing business operates
What We Offer
- A genuinely unique role: client delivery leadership combined with practice-building responsibility from day one
- The chance to define AI testing capability at a consultancy that is serious about becoming AI-led
- 25 days annual leave plus public holidays
- Private medical insurance with Bupa
- Remote-first working with office space at Liverpool Street when you need it
- Personal training budget to support your development, including AI upskilling
- Perkbox, giving you access to hundreds of perks and discounts across eating out, shopping, wellness and entertainment
- A very generous referral scheme
- EV scheme after one year of service
- Employer pension contributions
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience
Head of Testing employer: Amber Labs
Amber Labs is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture, where employees are empowered to lead and shape the future of AI testing. With a strong focus on personal development, including a dedicated training budget and opportunities to build a unique testing practice, Amber Labs offers a supportive environment for growth while working on impactful public sector projects. The remote-first approach, combined with access to modern office space in Liverpool Street, ensures flexibility and a healthy work-life balance, making it an attractive place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Testing
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone who works at Amber Labs. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got experience in AI testing, make sure to highlight that in conversations. Bring examples of your work to discussions or interviews. We love seeing how you tackle challenges and what makes you stand out.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out directly to us at Amber Labs through our website. Express your interest in the Head of Testing role and share why you think you’d be a great fit. It shows initiative!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for the chat! Research Amber Labs and understand our vision, especially around AI and testing. When you know what we’re about, you can tailor your conversation to show how you can help us achieve our goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Testing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Testing role. Highlight your experience with AI testing and how it aligns with our vision at Amber Labs. We want to see how you can contribute to shaping our testing practice!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. Use metrics where possible to show how you’ve driven quality and assurance in complex projects. We love numbers that tell a story!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who is not only skilled but also passionate about testing and AI. Share your thoughts on the future of testing and how you see yourself contributing to our mission.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the Amber Labs family!
How to prepare for a job interview at Amber Labs
✨Know Your AI Testing Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of AI testing methodologies and tools. Be ready to discuss how you’ve tackled unique challenges in testing AI-enabled systems, as this is a core focus for the role at Amber Labs.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that showcase your experience in leading testing workstreams and managing multiple teams. Highlight how you've driven quality and assurance in complex environments, especially within public sector projects.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Abilities
Think of instances where you effectively communicated quality and risk to non-technical stakeholders. This role requires strong relationship-building skills, so be ready to share how you’ve built trust and confidence with clients.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Frameworks and Standards
Familiarise yourself with testing frameworks and standards you’ve developed or contributed to in the past. Amber Labs is looking for someone who can shape their Testing Practice, so come prepared with ideas on what good testing looks like.
