QA Automation & UAT Analyst (Legal Software) in Ipswich

Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals and over 600 staff based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client.

The IT Team sits within our wider Business Services Division. The team is responsible for all aspects of IT across the business, covering User Support, Infrastructure, Security, Data and Development Teams. Please note this role is available at our Ipswich, Cambridge, Chelmsford and Norwich offices.

The Quality Analyst role is pivotal in ensuring the delivery of high-quality legal software applications that meet the stringent standards of our firm. This role is dedicated to safeguarding the integrity and reliability of our software solutions, which are critical to the efficient operation of our legal services. By meticulously planning, executing, and automating tests, the Quality Analyst helps to identify and resolve defects early in the development process, ensuring that our software is both robust and compliant with legal and regulatory requirements. This role also contributes to continuous improvement initiatives, leveraging industry best practices and emerging technologies to enhance our testing processes and overall software quality.

• Test Planning and Strategy: Develop and maintain comprehensive test plans and strategies tailored to legal software applications. Ensure alignment with project requirements and timelines.
• Test Execution: Conduct manual and automated testing to identify defects and ensure software functionality across complex API, web based and other applications. Perform regression, performance and security testing as needed. Log, track, and manage defects using appropriate tools. Collaborate with development teams to prioritise and resolve issues promptly.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure all software meets the firm's quality standards and complies with legal and regulatory requirements. Conduct thorough reviews of test results and provide feedback to development teams.
• Automation Implementation: Design, implement, and maintain comprehensive automated testing frameworks to enhance testing efficiency and coverage. Continuously improve automation processes and tools.
• Reporting and Documentation: Generate detailed test reports, metrics, and documentation to communicate testing progress and results to stakeholders. Maintain accurate records of testing activities and outcomes. Stay updated with industry best practices, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes. Propose and implement improvements to testing processes and methodologies. Work closely with cross-functional teams, including developers, business analysts, project managers and other QAs, to ensure seamless integration of testing activities.
• User Acceptance Testing (UAT) Leadership: Lead UAT activities, ensuring thorough validation of software by stakeholders and end users. Collaborate closely with stakeholders and end users to gather feedback, address concerns, and ensure the software meets their needs and expectations. Facilitate training sessions and provide support to end users during UAT to ensure effective testing and adoption of the software.

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.

What we are looking for:

• Understanding of QA methodologies, life cycle and processes.
• Proficiency in automated and manual testing techniques.
• Demonstrated experience creating and maintaining automated test scripts using Java, or C#, Python, Java Script programming languages.
• Capability to generate comprehensive user test scripts and scenarios to validate software functionality.
• Strong knowledge of testing tools such as Selenium, JUnit/TestNG, AzureDevOps and XRay.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with legal software applications and regulatory requirements.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Experience in leading user training sessions to ensure effective use of software applications.
• Hands on and self-motivated, able to work both independently and collaboratively with ease.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute effective test plans and strategies.
• Experience in implementing and maintaining automated testing frameworks.
• Proven track record of identifying and resolving defects in complex software systems.
• Ability to generate detailed test reports and communicate findings to stakeholders.
• Experience in a legal firm or similar professional services environment is desirable.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification in software testing (e.g., ISTQB)
• ISTQB Advanced Level Test Automation Engineer (CTAL-TAE)

Hybrid Working: Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. During your 6 month probation period, there will be a requirement to be in the office full time whilst you are developing in the role. Once you have successfully passed probation, this role attracts a split of 60% office days and 40% working from home days per week. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.

As a Birketts colleague, you will be eligible to receive a wide range of benefits:

• Long Service holiday award - 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
• Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
• Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme
• Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
• Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
• Paid CSR Day
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Subsidised gym membership
• Electric car scheme
• Dress for your Day Policy

You can find out more on our website: https://www.birketts.co.uk/recognition-reward-benefits/

Inclusivity and Culture: At Birketts, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Birketts is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.

If you require this advert in an accessible format, please visit https://diversityjobsgroup.com/company/birketts/

Artificial Intelligence (AI): At Birketts, we recognise the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal profession and recruitment. We welcome innovation and understand that candidates may use AI tools to support their job applications. However, we expect all applicants to use AI responsibly and ethically. Our expectations regarding AI use in applications: Your application should reflect your own voice, experiences, and insights. AI may assist in structuring or refining your responses, but it must not replace your personal input. Do not use AI to misrepresent your qualifications, experiences, or skills. Any form of exaggeration or fabrication may result in rejection from the process. If you have used AI tools to assist with your application, be prepared to discuss how and why you used them during the interview process. Do not submit content generated by AI tools that may include personal or sensitive data not intended for public disclosure. AI-generated content should be reviewed and edited by you to ensure accuracy, relevance, and alignment with the role and our firm’s values. We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment practices. The use of AI should enhance, not compromise, your application. We encourage candidates to demonstrate critical thinking, commercial awareness, and a genuine interest in our firm. If you have any questions about our expectations or the use of AI in your application, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team via talent@birketts.co.uk