At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead assurance activities across complex delivery streams in a dynamic defence programme.
- Company: Join a major defence programme with a focus on innovation and security.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, opportunity to work on impactful projects, and professional growth.
- Other info: Work onsite in Basingstoke and engage with senior stakeholders.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a high-stakes environment while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in test assurance and Agile environments, with active DV clearance.
Location: Basingstoke - Full-time onsite
Clearance: Active DV Clearance required
Contract: 18-month contract
IR35 Status: Outside IR35
Rate: £600 to £700 per day
We’re supporting a major defence programme seeking an experienced Programme Test Assurance Manager to lead assurance and acceptance activities across a highly complex, multi-workstream delivery environment. This is not a traditional test management role. The focus is on programme-level capability assurance, acceptance governance, integration readiness, and delivery confidence across infrastructure, systems, and software domains operating at significant scale.
You’ll work across multiple Agile delivery teams, suppliers, and technical disciplines to ensure the programme delivers operational capability that is assured, accepted, and deployment-ready.
Key Responsibilities- Lead programme-wide test assurance and capability acceptance activities across complex delivery streams
- Provide independent assurance across infrastructure, systems integration, software, and operational capability delivery
- Coordinate assurance activities across multiple Agile / SAFe teams and suppliers
- Manage dependencies, risks, integration points, and acceptance criteria across the programme landscape
- Ensure governance, readiness, and evidence frameworks support formal capability acceptance
- Drive alignment between engineering, delivery, test, security, and operational stakeholders
- Oversee assurance reporting, quality metrics, and programme-level delivery confidence
- Support release and operational readiness activities within secure and highly regulated environments
- Champion best practice assurance approaches within Agile and scaled delivery models
- Proven experience operating as a Programme Test Manager, Test Assurance Manager, or Capability Assurance Lead within large-scale defence or secure government programmes
- Strong experience working within Agile and SAFe delivery environments
- Demonstrable experience managing assurance across:
- Infrastructure
- Systems integration
- Software delivery
- Multi-supplier ecosystems
- Experience operating within highly complex programmes involving multiple teams and interdependencies
- Strong understanding of capability assurance and acceptance, beyond traditional testing execution
- Experience engaging with senior stakeholders across engineering, delivery, and operational functions
- Excellent governance, risk management, and reporting capability
- Active DV Clearance
- Willingness to work full-time onsite in Basingstoke
- Defence, MOD, or secure government programme experience
- Experience within large-scale transformation or mission-critical environments
- Knowledge of operational acceptance and service transition frameworks
- Previous experience within complex systems integration programmes
Programme Test Assurance Consultant in Alton employer: CBSbutler Holdings Limited trading as CBSbutler
As a Programme Test Assurance Consultant in Basingstoke, you will join a leading defence programme that prioritises employee growth and development within a collaborative and innovative work culture. The company offers competitive rates and the opportunity to work on complex, mission-critical projects, ensuring that your contributions are meaningful and impactful. With a focus on best practices and agile methodologies, you will be supported in your professional journey while working alongside experienced professionals in a secure and dynamic environment.
Contact Detail:
CBSbutler Holdings Limited trading as CBSbutler Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Test Assurance Consultant in Alton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry on LinkedIn or at local meetups. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Programme Test Assurance Consultant role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on Agile and SAFe methodologies. We want you to be able to chat confidently about your experience with multi-supplier ecosystems and capability assurance. Show them you’re the right fit for their complex delivery environment!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your governance and risk management skills during interviews. We know these are crucial for the role, so have some examples ready that demonstrate how you’ve managed dependencies and acceptance criteria in past projects.
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! We make it easy for you to find roles that match your skills and experience. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for talented individuals like you to join our team in Basingstoke.
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Test Assurance Consultant in Alton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Programme Test Assurance Consultant. Highlight your experience in assurance activities and Agile environments, and don’t forget to mention any relevant defence or government programme work you've done.
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. Talk about your experience with multi-workstream delivery and how you’ve successfully managed assurance across complex programmes.
Showcase Your Skills:In your application, be sure to showcase your skills in governance, risk management, and reporting. We want to see how you’ve driven alignment between teams and ensured delivery confidence in past projects.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, we love seeing applications come in directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at CBSbutler Holdings Limited trading as CBSbutler
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of programme-level capability assurance and acceptance governance. Familiarise yourself with Agile and SAFe methodologies, as well as the specific challenges faced in large-scale defence programmes. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous roles as a Programme Test Manager or Test Assurance Manager. Highlight specific examples where you've led assurance activities across complex delivery streams, managed dependencies, and engaged with senior stakeholders. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Understand the Environment
Since this role involves working in secure and highly regulated environments, be ready to discuss your experience in such settings. Talk about how you've navigated governance and risk management in past projects, and how you ensure compliance while driving delivery confidence.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your understanding of the role and the organisation's goals. Inquire about their current challenges in assurance activities or how they measure success in programme delivery. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.
