At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and mentor testers while optimising software testing processes.
- Company: Join Companies House, a key player in digital transformation and public service.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 30 days leave, and a generous pension scheme.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of digital services with a focus on innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in coding, Agile environments, and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Security clearance is necessary for this role.
The predicted salary is between 44000 - 58000 £ per year.
This is an exciting opportunity in the Digital Services team! You’ll be joining our team at a time of transformation, shaping the future of our department. We use Agile Methodologies and promote a culture of continuous improvement.
We are looking for an enthusiastic Functional Test Manager with great technical skills able to coach and mentor other testers and lead our test automation and functional approach to software testing. This is a rewarding role within the Test Team, and provides an opportunity to contribute to the success of existing and future services provided by Companies House.
Companies House offers a flexible and welcoming culture that promotes a healthy work life balance as well as a proactive approach to wellbeing that allows us to be our best at work. We recognise that people are the key to our success so offer a fantastic benefits package including:
- Flexible working with no core hours
- 30 days annual leave
- 8 bank holidays and 1 privilege day
- Enrolment into the Civil Service Pension scheme with a contribution rate averaging 28%
Key responsibilities will include:
- Acting as an advocate for test improvement and optimisation, while providing expert advice and guidance to teams.
- Maintaining a managed view of all test activity to ensure that testing is being appropriately carried out across all teams including risk mitigation and planning activities.
- Development of dashboards and monitoring metrics to measure quality, using the analysis of these metrics to inform future quality strategies and quality initiatives.
- Building and maintaining relationships with external organisations and companies, agreeing on contractual acceptance criteria for IT deliverables and providing assurance on the quality of external products and services.
- Staff management, succession planning, recruitment activities and supplier management.
You will have the opportunity to make the test community thrive by exploring new and emerging tools to improve the service we provide.
Further information of the skills required can be found on the DDaT Profession Capability Framework at Test manager - GOV.UK. Please note this role requires Security Clearance.
Person specification:
We are looking for the following experience and skills which will be assessed at sift and interview:
- Proficient in scripting or coding using a mainstream programming language and hands-on experience with Java/Selenium, Typescript/Playwright.
- Implementing and rolling out new test frameworks.
- Coaching, mentoring and leading others, with strong interpersonal skills to foster a culture of collaboration and learning.
- Experience testing stand-alone services as well as complex systems built of many microservices/sub-systems.
- Experience working in Agile/Scrum environments.
- Proficiency at using version control systems, preferably Git.
- Working experience with various types of databases (MongoDB, Oracle, SQL, InfluxDB).
- Knowledge of containerisation tools (Docker, Kubernetes).
Any experience of the following would be advantageous:
- Concourse / Jenkins
- Docker
- JMeter
- Karate/Rest API
- Postman/SOAP UI
- SQL
- Unix based systems
- XML
Alongside your salary of £51,584, Companies House contributes £14,943 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
We offer an excellent benefits package that includes:
- A generous 30 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays and 1 privilege day
- Enrolment into the Civil Service Pension Scheme with a contribution rate of averaging 28%
- A range of recognition schemes including instant awards to thank and recognise each other's efforts and contributions
- Strong ethos of equality, diversity and inclusion
- Great work life balance with flexible and mobile working available for many roles
- A pro-active approach to employee wellbeing that allows our employees to flourish and be their best at work
- Online financial support and advice
- Seasonal flu jabs
- Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave allowances
- A focus on career development and progression
- A number of inclusive network groups to support our colleagues
- A great sports and social society
- Cycle to work scheme
Next Steps: Click 'Apply Now' to be taken to our main advert Civil Service Jobs where you can see more details regarding the role, the incredible benefits we have to offer and what it's like to work in Companies House. If you have any questions about the role or process, please reach out to us.
This role closes on 8 June 2025.
Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Information Technology and Other Industries Government Administration
Functional Test Manager employer: Companies House
Contact Detail:
Companies House Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Functional Test Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Agile methodologies, as this role heavily emphasises Agile practices. Consider joining online forums or local meetups to discuss Agile testing strategies and share experiences with other professionals.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your technical skills, particularly in Java/Selenium and Typescript/Playwright. You might want to work on personal projects or contribute to open-source projects that utilise these technologies to showcase your hands-on experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current employees at Companies House or similar organisations. Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect and engage with them, as they can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations for the Functional Test Manager role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience in coaching and mentoring others during the interview. Think of specific examples where you successfully led a team or improved testing processes, as this will demonstrate your leadership capabilities.
We think you need these skills to ace Functional Test Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the Functional Test Manager role. Focus on your proficiency in scripting, Agile methodologies, and any experience with test automation tools like Java/Selenium or Typescript/Playwright.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for testing and your ability to lead and mentor teams. Mention specific examples of how you've improved testing processes or implemented new frameworks in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, emphasise your experience with complex systems and microservices, as well as your familiarity with version control systems and databases. This will demonstrate your technical expertise and suitability for the role.
Showcase Soft Skills: Don't forget to mention your interpersonal skills and ability to foster collaboration within teams. Companies House values a culture of continuous improvement, so highlight any experiences where you've successfully coached or mentored others.
How to prepare for a job interview at Companies House
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
As a Functional Test Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your proficiency in scripting or coding, particularly with Java/Selenium and Typescript/Playwright. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've implemented test frameworks and how you approached challenges.
✨Emphasise Your Leadership Experience
Highlight your experience in coaching and mentoring other testers. Share examples of how you've fostered collaboration and learning within teams, as this is crucial for the role. Companies House values strong interpersonal skills, so be ready to discuss how you've built relationships in previous roles.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Agile Methodologies
Since the role involves working in Agile/Scrum environments, brush up on Agile principles and be ready to discuss how you've applied them in your past experiences. Mention any specific tools or practices you've used to enhance team performance and testing efficiency.
✨Prepare for Questions on Quality Metrics
Expect questions about how you measure quality and the metrics you use to inform quality strategies. Be ready to discuss your experience with developing dashboards and monitoring metrics, as well as how you've used data analysis to drive improvements in testing processes.