Test Manager- SC Cleared in Stoke-on-Trent

A leading Independent IT Infrastructure and Services Consultancy are looking for a Test Manager with Security Clearance. Outside IR35. Up to £500 per day. 4-month contract initially.

As a Test Manager, you will lead and deliver test management engagements across medium to large projects, ensuring agreed requirements are validated, risks are identified, and defects are effectively managed to reduce the cost of remediation. You will take end-to-end ownership of test strategy and delivery, providing clear reporting to programme and senior stakeholders, promoting best practice test management, and driving continuous service improvement. The role involves collaboration with global, multi‑location teams, often within client environments, and contributing to commercial and performance objectives.

Responsibilities:

• Defining and managing test strategies, plans, execution schedules, tools, defect and risk management processes, governance reporting, go/no‑go decision support, and lessons learned.
• Ensuring adherence to agreed frameworks, standards, policies, and project controls to deliver successful outcomes aligned to financial and delivery objectives.
• Lead end‑to‑end test management across the full project lifecycle, ensuring delivery aligns to defined methodologies and quality standards for transition and transformation projects.
• Support pre‑sales activities by reviewing requirements, contributing to solution responses, and creating test cost models.
• Develop, maintain, and manage all test management artefacts, including test plans, schedules, documentation, and tools, ensuring alignment with the overall project plan.
• Facilitate test initiation workshops, manage testing resources, and coordinate test activities across all phases in line with agreed governance and timelines.
• Provide regular progress reporting, manage escalations, participate in project reviews, and ensure stakeholder alignment throughout the testing lifecycle.
• Drive quality and commercial outcomes by ensuring service readiness, controlling test duration against forecasts, reducing the impact of defects, and capturing and applying lessons learned for continuous improvement.

Experience Required:

• Minimum 8-10 years Test Manager and Defect Management experience in an infrastructure or managed service environment.
• ISTQB Foundation certified.
• Knowledge of ISO-IEC-IEEE 29119 and/or TMMi.
• Knowledge of ITIL v3 Service Validation & Testing.
• Knowledge of technical infrastructure (datacentre, end-user and service desk environments).
• Use of formal Test Management tools.
• Detailed knowledge of formal Test Management methodologies, processes and approaches.
• Fluent in English with excellent communication skills both written and oral.
• Good demonstrable emotional intelligence, negotiating and influencing skills to deal with sensitive customer issues.
• Ability to present to small sized internal and external audiences to develop personal networks and manage stakeholders.
• Demonstrable time and organizational management skills, good leadership, coaching and organizational skills working with limited supervision.
• Proven ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Valid UK Security Clearance.

Desirable:

• Experience in working within a globally diverse team.
• ITIL v3 Intermediate Level, Prince 2 or PMI certified.
• Experience as a Test Analyst or Project Manager.
• ISTQB Advanced Test Manager certified.
• Experience of performance, security and non-functional testing.