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- Tasks: Lead assurance activities across complex delivery streams in a major defence programme.
- Company: Join a leading defence organisation with a focus on innovation and security.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, opportunity to work on impactful projects, and professional growth.
- Other info: Active DV Clearance needed; full-time onsite role in Basingstoke.
- Why this job: Make a difference in national security while working in a dynamic, collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in programme test management and Agile delivery environments required.
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 Hampshire employer: CBSbutler Holdings Limited trading as CBSbutler
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 Hampshire
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the defence sector, especially those who’ve worked on similar programmes. LinkedIn is your best mate here; drop them a message and ask for a chat about their experiences.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on Agile and SAFe methodologies. Be ready to discuss how you’ve managed assurance across complex delivery streams. We want to hear your stories about overcoming challenges in multi-supplier ecosystems!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your governance and risk management skills during discussions. Bring examples of how you’ve driven alignment between different teams and stakeholders. This will highlight your capability assurance expertise!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Test Assurance Consultant in Hampshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Programme Test Assurance Consultant role. Highlight your experience in assurance and acceptance activities, especially in complex delivery environments. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
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. Mention your experience with Agile teams and how you've managed assurance across various domains. Let us know what makes you tick!
Showcase Relevant Experience: When filling out your application, be sure to showcase your relevant experience in large-scale defence or secure government programmes. We’re keen on seeing how you've engaged with senior stakeholders and managed risks in previous roles.
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, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at StudySmarter!
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 successfully managed assurance across complex delivery streams, especially in multi-supplier ecosystems. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since this role involves working with various stakeholders, be ready to talk about your experience engaging with senior management and cross-functional teams. Share examples of how you've driven alignment between engineering, delivery, and operational functions to ensure successful outcomes.
✨Understand the Environment
Given the nature of the work, it's crucial to demonstrate your understanding of secure and highly regulated environments. Be prepared to discuss how you've navigated governance, risk management, and quality metrics in past roles, and how these experiences will help you champion best practices in this new position.