Head of QA and Test Automation
Head of QA and Test Automation

Head of QA and Test Automation

Full-Time 48000 - 72000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead QA and Test Automation strategy to enhance digital experiences.
  • Company: Join Collinson, a global leader in customer loyalty and experience.
  • Benefits: Flexible working, generous parental leave, and career development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Shape quality standards and drive innovation in a collaborative environment.
  • Qualifications: Strong QA and Test Automation experience with leadership skills.
  • Other info: Inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives and continuous improvement.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.

At Collinson, we help brands inspire loyalty and create better customer experiences. For over 30 years, we’ve partnered with some of the world’s best-known names in travel, financial services, and retail, from Mastercard and British Airways to Sephora and Radisson Hotel Group. With 2,000 dedicated people across 20 global locations, we’re united by a shared purpose: to make every journey, experience, and connection more rewarding.

This role is pivotal to shaping how Collinson designs, builds, and delivers world-class digital experiences. You’ll lead our global Quality Engineering and Test Automation strategy, building a high-performing QA function that enables confidence, scalability, and innovation across our products and platforms. As an experienced leader, you’ll coach teams, embed quality standards at every stage of delivery, and champion automation as a key enabler of speed and excellence. Your voice will influence major architectural and strategic decisions, ensuring that quality is baked into every product we release.

What you will do:

  • Define and lead Collinson’s end-to-end QA and Test Automation strategy.
  • Build and grow a talented, diverse team of SDETs and QA professionals.
  • Partner with Engineering, Product, and Delivery to design for quality from day one.
  • Shape automation frameworks across front-end, API, and end-to-end layers.
  • Provide meaningful insight on release readiness, risk, and quality metrics.
  • Develop a thriving community of practice that promotes learning and inclusion.
  • Transform our testing culture — from gatekeeping to enablement.

What you will bring:

  • Strong experience in QA and Test Automation, especially at a senior or head-of-function level.
  • Hands‑on expertise with modern frameworks (Playwright, Cypress, contract or API testing).
  • Comfort coding in TypeScript or similar languages.
  • Experience creating scalable test strategies for complex, multi‑team delivery environments.
  • A track record of building inclusive, high‑performing technical teams.
  • Strong communication and influencing skills — both technical and non‑technical.
  • Knowledge of performance and reliability testing (e.g. k6, JMeter) is desirable.

Who you are:

  • A coach and mentor who brings out the best in others.
  • A collaborator who values diverse opinions and voices.
  • Confident in decision‑making — even under pressure.
  • Passionate about continuous improvement and automation excellence.
  • Committed to creating safe, inclusive spaces where every team member can thrive.

Why join us:

We know that a person’s potential is more than the sum of their past experiences. If you meet most but not all these points, we still encourage you to apply; your unique perspective could make the difference.

What Collinson Offers:

  • Flexible and hybrid working options.
  • Work from anywhere – 8 weeks a year.
  • Generous parental leave and family‑friendly policies.
  • Career development, mentorship, and training.
  • A supportive, inclusive culture with employee resource groups and diversity initiatives.

Collinson is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes differences in all their forms including: colour, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, neurodivergence, family status, age, individuals with disabilities and people from all backgrounds, cultures and experiences as we strongly believe this contributes to our ongoing success. We are focused on continually evolving our purpose-driven, high-performing culture, providing an environment where our people have the opportunity to achieve their full potential and do interesting and meaningful work. Our company values are: Take Action, Do the right thing, One team and Be insight led. These help guide everything we do internally in terms of how we think, act and interact, right through to how we deliver value to our customers and clients.

In your application, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example - she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc). If you need any extra support throughout the interview process, then please email us at ukrecruitment@collinsongroup.com.

Head of QA and Test Automation employer: Collinson

At Collinson, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Our flexible working options, generous parental leave, and commitment to employee development ensure that every team member can thrive while contributing to meaningful projects that enhance customer experiences globally. Join us in a dynamic environment where your voice matters, and together, we can shape the future of quality engineering and test automation.
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Contact Detail:

Collinson Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of QA and Test Automation

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at Collinson or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info on the company culture and what they really value.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Collinson’s values and recent projects. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in how you can contribute to their mission of creating better customer experiences.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led QA teams or implemented test automation strategies. We want to hear about your successes and how you’ve overcome challenges in your previous roles.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression. It shows us that you’re enthusiastic about the role and appreciate the opportunity to connect.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of QA and Test Automation

QA and Test Automation
Leadership
Team Building
Automation Frameworks
Playwright
Cypress
API Testing
TypeScript
Scalable Test Strategies
Communication Skills
Influencing Skills
Performance Testing
Reliability Testing
Continuous Improvement
Collaboration

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of QA and Test Automation role. Highlight your experience in QA and Test Automation, especially any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Collinson!

Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your successes! Use specific examples that demonstrate your impact in previous roles, particularly in building high-performing teams or implementing automation strategies. This helps us see the value you can bring to our team.

Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value diverse voices and perspectives, so don’t hesitate to share what makes you unique. Whether it’s your approach to coaching or your passion for quality, we want to know the real you!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Collinson

✨Know Your QA and Automation Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest QA methodologies and test automation frameworks like Playwright and Cypress. Brush up on your coding skills in TypeScript or similar languages, as you’ll likely be asked to discuss your hands-on experience during the interview.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

As a Head of QA, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to build and lead high-performing teams. Prepare examples of how you’ve coached and mentored team members in the past, and be ready to discuss how you foster an inclusive environment that values diverse opinions.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making under pressure. Think of specific scenarios where you had to influence architectural decisions or implement quality standards, and be ready to explain your thought process and outcomes.

✨Align with Company Values

Familiarise yourself with Collinson’s core values: Take Action, Do the Right Thing, One Team, and Be Insight Led. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their purpose-driven culture.

Head of QA and Test Automation
Collinson

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