At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead testing strategy and quality assurance for large-scale digital projects.
- Company: Join DVLA, a mission-driven digital organisation impacting over 50 million users.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension, flexible working, and 25+ days annual leave.
- Other info: Hybrid working with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of digital services and make a difference in people's lives.
- Qualifications: Expertise in testing strategies, functional testing, and agile methodologies required.
The predicted salary is between 57515 - 82430 £ per year.
Become part of a mission-driven digital organisation delivering secure, reliable services to over 50 million users across the UK. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), in partnership with Inspire People, is seeking a Lead Test Manager with deep expertise in testing strategy, quality engineering, and large-scale digital delivery to provide strategic leadership across a complex technology estate. Based in Swansea on a permanent Grade 7 appointment, this role offers hybrid working (minimum 60% office-based in Swansea) and a salary of £57,515 to £82,430 plus c.29% employer pension contribution plus excellent Civil Service benefits.
Be a part of the Electronic Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) Transformation Programme. You will play a leading role within DVLA’s digital transformation, including the delivery of a new electronic Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) service, modernising how vehicle tax is administered and delivered digitally. This programme sits alongside broader transformation of legacy platforms and services at national scale.
As a Lead Test Manager you will:
- Provide strategic leadership of independent testing and quality assurance across multiple concurrent digital deliveries
- Define and embed testing strategies across complex, cloud-first and legacy environments
- Lead and guide engineering teams on quality engineering approaches, standards, and best practice
- Oversee and coordinate testing activities at scale, ensuring effective planning, execution and reporting
- Engage with suppliers, partners, and internal delivery teams to set expectations and ensure delivery quality
- Drive continuous testing practices, shifting quality left and identifying risks early
- Escalate quality risks to senior stakeholders, providing clear recommendations and assurance
- Represent testing and quality engineering capability internally and externally, influencing strategy and continuous improvement
Essential Skills for the Lead Test Manager include:
- Recognised expertise in defining and assuring testing strategies for complex services, including web-based and API-driven architectures
- Deep experience in functional testing and test analysis, with strong understanding of non-functional requirements (performance, security, accessibility, resilience)
- Strong knowledge of modern software delivery lifecycles, including agile methodologies and CI/CD pipelines
- Ability to lead quality engineering strategy across multiple teams, embedding automation-first, risk-based testing approaches
- Experience influencing senior stakeholders and communicating complex technical risks clearly to non-technical audiences
- Proven track record of improving quality assurance outcomes across large-scale delivery environments
In return, you can expect a flexible working culture, including:
- Hybrid working with a minimum 60% office-based in Swansea
- Flexible working arrangements including full-time, part-time and job share options
- 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days, plus bank holidays and privilege day
- Access to a generous Civil Service pension (c.29% employer contribution)
- Ongoing learning and development and clear Digital & Data career pathways
- Inclusive working environment supported by staff communities and wellbeing initiatives
Why Join DVLA? DVLA plays a critical role in keeping the UK’s roads safe and services running at national scale. This is a rare opportunity to shape quality engineering strategy across a large and complex digital estate, influencing how testing is embedded into modern, cloud-first delivery while supporting high-impact programmes that affect millions of citizens daily.
Lead Test Manager in Swansea employer: Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
Joining the DVLA as a Lead Test Manager means becoming part of a mission-driven organisation that prioritises secure and reliable services for over 50 million users across the UK. With a flexible working culture, generous Civil Service benefits, and a commitment to ongoing learning and development, you will have the opportunity to shape quality engineering strategies in a supportive and inclusive environment, all while making a significant impact on national road safety.
Contact Details:
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Test Manager in Swansea
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on DVLA and their recent projects. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions related to testing strategies and quality engineering. We can help you with mock interviews to boost your confidence and refine your responses.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss how you've led teams in the past, especially in complex environments. Highlight specific examples where you influenced strategy or improved outcomes.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to leave a lasting impression and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Test Manager in Swansea
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in testing strategy and quality engineering. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Lead Test Manager, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Lead Test Manager, you'll be guiding teams and influencing stakeholders. Use your application to demonstrate your leadership experience and how you've successfully driven quality assurance in previous roles. We love seeing examples of how you’ve made an impact!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your key points about your expertise in functional testing and agile methodologies shine through without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at DVLA. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
✨Know Your Testing Strategies
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of testing strategies, especially in complex environments. Be ready to discuss how you've defined and assured testing strategies in previous roles, particularly for web-based and API-driven architectures.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Test Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and guide engineering teams. Prepare examples of how you've influenced quality engineering approaches and standards in past projects, and be ready to discuss how you can embed these practices at DVLA.
✨Communicate Clearly with Stakeholders
You'll be engaging with various stakeholders, so practice explaining complex technical risks in simple terms. Think of scenarios where you've successfully communicated with non-technical audiences and be prepared to share those experiences.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
DVLA values continuous testing practices, so come equipped with ideas on how to shift quality left and identify risks early. Share specific examples of how you've driven improvements in quality assurance outcomes in large-scale delivery environments.
