Principal IT Test Manager

Overview

Introduction: Together, we’re working to welcome millions more passengers, while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability. At Heathrow, you can be part of this – providing solutions that make every journey better for millions each year. That means ensuring we meet the changing needs of the passengers, colleagues and partners who use our airport to work, travel, trade, shop, eat, explore and connect. Our Solutions team covers project management, process improvement, business change, technology, cyber defence, masterplanning, infrastructure and procurement. It brings together people with the skills to deliver prestigious and often large-scale projects, from transforming terminals to making big reductions in our carbon emissions.

Every day will test your skills and give you the opportunity to make your mark. You might be working with the technology and data that power our city within a city, driving vital commercial agreements with everyone from retailers to airlines, or improving the unique infrastructure that includes everything from 200 buildings to 250 HV substations. It’s a collaborative environment, where you can rely on the support of the experts around you as you take on projects you’ll both take pride in and feel passionate about.

Job Description

With an average annual Capex profile of circa £120m, strong testing and quality assurance practices are fundamental to the functionality, resilience, and usability of the technology at Heathrow. The breadth of our work includes business-critical applications essential to the running of our airport, as well as infrastructure and network services that support our operations, airlines, and business partners. These systems must meet the diverse functional needs of all airport stakeholders and uphold the highest standards of resilience and cyber security.

The Principal IT Test Manager plays a pivotal leadership role in shaping and maintaining a world-class testing capability across Heathrow IT. This includes oversight of test management practices, automation tooling, non-functional testing, and quality assurance across all programmes and suppliers.

Working closely with Heads of IT, IT Project Managers/Delivery Leads, System Integrators, and Suppliers, the Principal IT Test Manager will lead a Test Team capable of delivering excellence in testing outcomes. They will lead and mentor Test Managers and their teams (both Heathrow and supplier-based), ensuring consistent delivery quality, process conformance, and continuous improvement.

As the strategic lead for the Testing Centre of Excellence, they will define and uphold testing standards, processes, and governance frameworks. They will ensure the Test Assurance Framework is implemented appropriately across all IT Programmes, providing evidential oversight, advice, and guidance internally and externally.

The Principal IT Test Manager will also be accountable for the deployment and optimisation of the MS Modern Requirements toolset within Azure DevOps (ADO), enabling traceability, collaboration, and assurance across the delivery lifecycle.

Where required, the Principal IT Test Manager may undertake direct Test and QA delivery responsibilities within specific Programmes or large-scale projects, ensuring benefits are realised and risks are mitigated. They must be able to establish credibility with stakeholders at all levels and be confident in challenging and influencing decision-making to ensure testing and QA are embedded effectively across the IT portfolio.

Your role will involve

• Design and Leadership of Test Assurance Framework – Accountable for designing, implementing, and managing a quality-focused Test Assurance Framework aligned to Heathrow IT Quality Standards and industry best practices.
• Programme-Wide Implementation and Oversight – Ensure all projects and programmes appropriately incorporate the Test Assurance Framework, including integration into supplier work packages.
• Governance and Compliance – Assure testing and control through appropriate project governance mechanisms; liaise with Heathrow and supplier Architects to ensure testing activities comply with the Heathrow Gateway Lifecycle and architectural governance standards.
• Strategic Influence and Relationship Management – Build strong interfaces with IT Programme Leaders, Senior Project Leaders, System Integrators, and suppliers to ensure effective relationship management and alignment of testing objectives; influence multi-sourced delivery teams to embrace transparency and quality.
• Quality Assurance of Testing Artefacts – Oversee the quality of key documentation including test plans, assurance checklists, traceability matrices, and reporting outputs; ensure documentation meets Heathrow’s standards.
• Continuous Improvement and Value Realisation – Continuously improve test assurance efficiency to reduce cost, accelerate delivery, and enhance quality; demonstrate value for money aligned to risk profiles and benefits realisation.
• Community Development and Capability Building – Lead the IT Test Manager community through structured training, mentoring, and development; implement and maintain a maturity matrix to assess capabilities and define growth paths.
• Testing Centre of Excellence Leadership – Lead the Testing Centre of Excellence with strategic direction, best practice guidance, and continuous improvement across the testing domain.
• Tooling Strategy and Oversight – Oversee the deployment and optimisation of the MS Modern Requirements toolset within Azure DevOps (ADO) to support traceability, collaboration, and assurance.
• Integrated Planning and Portfolio Oversight – Create and maintain an integrated test assurance plan covering all Technology Programmes and Projects; ensure test assurance activities are reflected in project plans and cost estimates.
• Programme-Level Test Leadership – Where required, undertake direct Test and QA delivery responsibilities within specific Programmes or large-scale projects, ensuring benefits are realised and risks mitigated.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Challenge – Establish credibility with senior stakeholders, challenge decisions, and influence outcomes to embed testing and QA across the IT portfolio.

Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• An ISTQB® CTEL-TM certification or Advanced Level Test Management (CTAL-TM) certification
• Significant experience in Test Management on large-scale and/or multi-project environments, particularly with third-party outsource suppliers
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to adapt to ensure testing coverage and quality
• Strong stakeholder and relationship management skills, tactful, team-oriented across multiple virtual teams
• Excellent communication skills (oral, written, and presentation) for diverse groups including Executives and Subject Matter Experts
• Ability to adapt to a rapidly changing business environment and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously
• Experience of the Azure DevOps toolset with the Modern Requirements extension, and other test management and test automation toolsets

Desirable

• Knowledge of the airport business and airline processes

About Us

There’s something so special about working at the world’s most iconic airport. Heathrow offers a career filled with unique opportunities and a dynamic environment that welcomes millions of passengers and partners each year.

Our purpose is linked to sustainability, growth, and delivering value for passengers, colleagues and partners. Join us on that journey and we’ll help you achieve your ambitions too.

Our rewards

We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits including performance-based bonuses, annual leave, pensions, private health insurance, wellbeing tools, and opportunities for learning and development to support a fulfilling career.

Working Location

Heathrow supports a Hybrid working approach. Some roles allow remote work for approximately two days per week. Working arrangements vary by team and will be confirmed during the recruitment process. You’ll need to be based in the UK and within a commutable distance to Heathrow.

Sustainable Travel to work

Heathrow’s Sustainable Travel Guide provides easy and sustainable travel options.

Equal Opportunities

As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all. Heathrow is an accessible place to work with diverse networks and an inclusive culture.