At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and implement testing strategies for enterprise systems in a dynamic IT environment.
- Company: Join Buro Happold, a forward-thinking company focused on innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, 25 days holiday, and flexible benefits.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive culture with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a role that drives quality and transformation across global projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in IT testing, strong stakeholder management, and knowledge of automation tools required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Join the IT Business Systems team at Buro Happold as a Test Manager. This person can be based in our Bath or London office on a hybrid working model. As part of our continued digital transformation journey, we are looking for an experienced IT Test Manager to join our team. This role will play a key part in establishing and leading a scalable testing capability that supports the successful delivery of strategic enterprise systems and business transformation initiatives. Working across programmes involving ERP, CRM, Finance, and HR platforms, you will help ensure quality, governance, and delivery assurance are embedded throughout the project lifecycle. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys building capability, improving delivery standards, and driving best practice within a complex global environment.
About The Role
As IT Test Manager, you will be responsible for defining and implementing the testing strategy across enterprise business systems programmes within the IT PMO function. You will establish governance frameworks, testing standards, and delivery assurance processes that support both project delivery and operational stability. The role combines strategic oversight with hands-on leadership, ensuring testing activities are scalable, efficient, and aligned to evolving business needs. You will work closely with programme managers, project teams, IT leadership, third-party suppliers, and business stakeholders to coordinate testing activities, improve delivery quality, and drive continuous improvement across the organisation’s testing practices. The role will also lead the introduction and enhancement of automation frameworks, tooling, reporting standards, and test operating models to support a modern, effective testing capability.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and implement the enterprise testing strategy aligned to business systems and transformation programmes.
- Establish testing governance frameworks, standards, QA processes, and delivery assurance practices within the IT PMO.
- Act as a key quality and readiness gate across programmes and projects.
- Build and develop a scalable centralized testing capability supporting enterprise systems delivery.
- Introduce and standardise testing methodologies across Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid delivery environments.
- Define and track quality KPIs, reporting metrics, and testing dashboards.
- Lead the implementation of automation frameworks and testing tools.
- Support continuous testing practices and integration with delivery and release pipelines.
- Oversee test planning, execution, defect management, and reporting activities.
- Ensure appropriate coverage across functional, integration, UAT, data migration, and non-functional testing.
- Manage third-party vendors, systems integrators, and testing partners.
- Engage senior stakeholders across IT and business functions, providing clear communication on quality risks and delivery readiness.
- Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing testing team while promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
About You
You will bring proven experience leading testing activities within enterprise IT and business systems environments, ideally within a PMO, transformation, or large-scale delivery function. You will have experience establishing or maturing testing capabilities and will be comfortable operating across both strategic governance and hands-on delivery activities.
We Are Looking For Someone With
- Proven experience as an IT Test Manager, QA Manager, or Test Lead in enterprise environments.
- Strong experience delivering testing across ERP, CRM, Finance, and HR systems.
- Experience working across Agile and traditional project delivery methodologies.
- Knowledge of test automation frameworks and modern QA tooling.
- Familiarity with tools such as Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, JIRA, TestRail, Azure DevOps, or similar platforms.
- Strong understanding of governance, reporting, and delivery assurance practices.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- The ability to influence teams and drive improvements across delivery practices.
- A collaborative and pragmatic approach with strong organisational and leadership capability.
- Relevant certifications such as ISTQB, Agile, Scrum, or DevOps qualifications would be advantageous.
Why Join Buro Happold?
At Buro Happold, we believe in creating a better, more sustainable world. You’ll be part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and excellence. We offer a supportive environment where your contributions make a real difference.
What We Offer You
- Hybrid working arrangements.
- Attractive salary and benefits package.
- Holiday entitlement of 25 days per annum (exclusive of bank holidays) and flexible holiday arrangements.
- Generous company pension scheme.
- Flexible benefits including cycle scheme, dental insurance, optical cover, travel insurance, season ticket loans, and corporate discounts.
- Enhanced parenthood leave policies.
- 3pm finish on the last Friday of the month.
- A strong commitment to your continuous development.
- Entitlement to two memberships to professional bodies or subscriptions.
- A commitment to your wellbeing through a comprehensive employee assistance programme and wellbeing activities.
- A supportive and inclusive environment that will welcome you through social and outreach activities from the Young Employees Forum to mentoring.
- An international culture that wherever your career takes you at Buro Happold, you won’t be far from the exceptional.
We welcome applications from individuals who are seeking flexibility in their careers and from those who feel underrepresented in the industry.
Test Manager employer: Buro Happold
Buro Happold is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and collaboration, offering a supportive environment where your contributions truly matter. With hybrid working arrangements, a generous benefits package, and a strong commitment to employee development, you will thrive in a culture that values continuous improvement and inclusivity. Join us in our Bath or London office and be part of a team dedicated to creating a more sustainable world while enjoying a fulfilling career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Test Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at Buro Happold or similar companies. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to testing strategies and governance frameworks. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with articulating your experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills through real-life examples. When discussing your experience, focus on specific projects where you established testing capabilities or improved delivery standards. This will help you stand out as a candidate who can drive best practices.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows your genuine interest in joining the Buro Happold team.
We think you need these skills to ace Test Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with testing in enterprise environments. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Test Manager, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Test Manager, you’ll be leading teams and driving improvements. Use your application to demonstrate your leadership experience and how you've successfully managed testing activities in the past. We love seeing examples of collaboration and mentorship!
Highlight Your Technical Know-How:Mention any experience you have with automation frameworks and modern QA tools like Selenium or JIRA. We’re keen to know how you’ve implemented these in previous roles, as they’re crucial for the position. Don’t forget to include any relevant certifications too!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you 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 shows you’re serious about joining our team at Buro Happold!
How to prepare for a job interview at Buro Happold
✨Know Your Testing Strategies
Make sure you’re well-versed in various testing methodologies, especially Agile and Waterfall. Be ready to discuss how you’ve implemented these strategies in past roles and how they can be applied to Buro Happold's enterprise systems.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Test Manager, you’ll need to lead a team effectively. Prepare examples of how you’ve built and mentored high-performing teams in the past. Highlight your ability to influence and drive improvements across delivery practices.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Tools
Brush up on your knowledge of testing tools like Selenium, JIRA, and Azure DevOps. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve used these tools to enhance testing capabilities and ensure quality assurance in previous projects.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your excellent communication skills by preparing to discuss how you’ve engaged with senior stakeholders in the past. Share specific instances where you’ve communicated quality risks and ensured delivery readiness across projects.
