At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead testing and release management for transformative tech projects at Panda Ireland.
- Company: Join a rapidly evolving tech company focused on innovation and quality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse work culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team driving significant business transformation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of technology delivery while ensuring operational stability.
- Qualifications: Experience in test and release management within complex tech environments.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Panda Ireland is going through a major business and technology transformation, and we are looking for a Group IT Test & Release Manager to help make sure change is delivered safely, consistently and at pace. This is a key role within our Group IT function, responsible for leading testing, release governance and production readiness across a complex technology landscape. You’ll work across enterprise systems, operational platforms, customer service tools, data platforms, integrations and customer-facing technologies, including systems such as Workday, Freshworks and ERP platforms.
As Group IT Test & Release Manager, you’ll help build a modern, scalable and mature testing and release capability that supports rapid transformation while protecting operational stability.
This Group IT Test & Release Manager role is ideal for someone who combines strong technical understanding with governance discipline, stakeholder management and hands-on delivery leadership. You’ll be responsible for owning the end-to-end testing and release lifecycle, ensuring technology changes are properly planned, tested, approved, deployed and validated before reaching production. You’ll work closely with IT, Transformation, Operations, Finance, Customer Services, suppliers and senior stakeholders to ensure changes are delivered with quality, control and minimal disruption.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Defining, implementing and improving the enterprise-wide testing and release management framework
- Establishing consistent testing standards, governance processes and quality gates across technology and transformation projects
- Owning end-to-end testing activities including test planning, SIT, UAT, regression testing, integration testing, release validation and production verification
- Ensuring testing coverage across business processes, integrations, data flows and operational dependencies
- Introducing risk-based testing approaches that support fast-paced transformation delivery
- Identifying opportunities to introduce automation and improve quality, repeatability and delivery speed
- Managing defect governance, including prioritisation, root cause tracking and remediation
- Owning and governing the release management lifecycle across multiple platforms, suppliers and delivery teams
- Coordinating releases across critical systems including Workday, Freshworks and integrated enterprise platforms
- Managing release calendars, dependencies, approvals, rollback plans and operational readiness
- Overseeing environment governance, release readiness and refresh cycles
- Working with infrastructure, security, platform engineering and third-party suppliers to support successful release delivery
- Providing clear reporting on testing progress, release readiness, quality risks and delivery status
- Supporting agile delivery teams while maintaining strong governance and operational control
- Driving continuous improvement across testing, release and deployment processes
- Supporting post-implementation reviews and contributing to lessons learned following incidents or major releases
About You
We’re looking for someone with strong experience in test management, release management or quality engineering leadership within a complex technology environment. You’ll be confident managing multiple releases, working across technical and non-technical teams, and balancing delivery pace with the governance needed to protect business operations.
- Significant experience in test management, release management or quality engineering leadership
- Experience managing testing and releases across complex enterprise application landscapes
- Strong understanding of enterprise SaaS platforms such as Workday, Freshworks, ERP or other integrated business systems
- Experience working in agile, hybrid or fast-paced transformation environments
- Strong knowledge of ITIL change, release and service transition principles
- Experience coordinating multiple concurrent releases and delivery streams
- Strong understanding of API testing, integration testing, data validation, defect management, environment management and production readiness
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
- The ability to work across applications, infrastructure, security, data, suppliers and business teams
- A practical approach to governance, with the ability to maintain control without creating unnecessary bureaucracy
- Strong attention to detail, organisation and ownership
It would also be helpful if you have experience in operationally intensive or multi-site businesses, large-scale transformation programmes, ERP environments, Azure DevOps, Jira, ServiceNow, test automation, CI/CD practices, ITIL certification or ISTQB qualifications.
What Success Looks Like
- High-quality, low-risk releases delivered consistently across critical business systems
- Fewer production incidents and failed changes
- Improved testing maturity, coverage and automation
- Faster and more predictable release cycles
- Strong governance that supports, rather than slows, delivery
- Greater confidence from business stakeholders in technology change
- Improved operational stability during a period of rapid transformation
- Scalable and repeatable testing and release processes embedded across the business
Why Join Panda?
This is a great opportunity to play a central role in shaping how technology change is delivered across Panda Ireland. As Group IT Test & Release Manager, you’ll help establish modern testing and release practices, influence delivery standards and work closely with senior stakeholders on critical business transformation programmes. You’ll be joining a business that is changing quickly, investing in technology and building stronger, more scalable ways of working across the organisation.
Panda is committed to attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we operate and the people we serve.
Group IT Test & Release Manager in Chester employer: Beauparc
Panda Ireland is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a Group IT Test & Release Manager, you'll be at the forefront of a major technology transformation, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development. The company prioritises employee well-being and diversity, ensuring a supportive culture where your contributions are valued and impactful.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Group IT Test & Release Manager in Chester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at local meetups. 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 researching the company and its tech stack. Understand their challenges and think about how your skills can help solve them. This shows you're not just interested in any job, but specifically in what they do.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially around testing and release management. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your achievements.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Panda.
We think you need these skills to ace Group IT Test & Release Manager in Chester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Group IT Test & Release Manager role. Highlight your experience in test management and release governance, and don’t forget to mention any relevant tools like Workday or Freshworks.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed testing and releases in complex environments.
Show Off Your Stakeholder Skills:In your application, emphasise your ability to manage stakeholders effectively. Mention any experiences where you’ve coordinated with multiple teams to ensure smooth delivery and minimal disruption.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and get back to you quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Beauparc
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of enterprise SaaS platforms like Workday and Freshworks. Be ready to discuss how you've managed testing and releases in complex environments, as this will show your technical understanding and hands-on experience.
✨Showcase Your Governance Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to maintain governance without creating unnecessary bureaucracy. Discuss how you've implemented testing standards and quality gates in previous roles, as this is crucial for the Group IT Test & Release Manager position.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
Strong stakeholder management is key for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, especially when discussing how you've coordinated with various teams and managed multiple releases. This will demonstrate your communication skills and ability to work across different departments.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Be ready to talk about how you've driven continuous improvement in testing and release processes. Share specific examples of how you've introduced automation or improved delivery speed, as this aligns perfectly with the company's goals during their transformation.
