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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead testing for complex network solutions and manage a team of Test Practitioners.
- Company: Join a leading UK communications and technology business with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, pension scheme, flexible benefits, and world-class training.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on high-profile projects while advancing your technical career.
- Qualifications: Expertise in test management and active SC clearance required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 70000 £ per year.
Manchester
Up to £70,000 + 10% Bonus
10% Company Pension + Share Schemes + Excellent Benefits
Hybrid Working | 3 On Site | 2 Remote
Active SC clearance is required for this role from day one. Candidates must already hold current SC clearance. Due to the nature of the work, the business cannot sponsor new applications for this position.
The Role In a Nutshell
Own the testing of high-profile, high-value and highly complex network solutions delivered into large enterprise and public-sector customers. You will act as the project-wide escalation point for everything test-related, from bid-stage estimates through System Integration Testing, Release Testing and Acceptance Into Service, on solutions where a defect doesn’t just affect one product, it ripples across business-critical infrastructure.
The Business
One of the UK’s most established communications and technology businesses, serving large enterprise and public-sector customers with mission-critical networks, voice and managed services. With significant annual investment in research and development and a substantial UK engineering workforce, this business has the scale, the technology and the customer base to take on the country’s most complex programmes. The business invests genuinely in career development, world-class training, and the kind of work that accelerates a technical career.
The Role
You will own end-to-end Test Strategy and Test Plans for complex multi-vendor solutions spanning network, voice, security and managed services. The work covers the full delivery lifecycle, from bid stage through AIS and into in-life support, meaning you’re feeding test estimates into Shipley bid responses one day and owning defect triage and go/no-go evidence the next.
You will be the single point of escalation for all testing matters on your projects, liaising with project managers, programme managers, solution architects, vendors and customer stakeholders. You will work closely with the Test & Validation Manager, escalating issues as required and shaping the testing approach against customer requirements.
The role carries genuine technical authority. You’re accountable for the creation and quality of every test plan, report and script your team produces, and for the fitness-for-purpose of the overall testing strategy. You will also assess, impact, coordinate and allocate work to Test Practitioners, defining the depth of testing required, data sources and key deliverables in conjunction with technical staff.
Skills & Experience
- Expert-level understanding of Test and Validation processes and procedures
- Demonstrable Test Management experience on complex, high-value project deliveries
- Strong Test Planning capability covering full lifecycle integration testing
- System Integration Testing and Release Testing on enterprise-scale solutions
- Active SC clearance held at point of application
- Experience supporting bid responses using Shipley methodology
The following would be an advantage:
- Background in telecoms, networks or managed services
- Experience delivering into UK Government, MoD or wider public-sector customers
- Familiarity with AIS (Acceptance Into Service) and operational handover processes
- Willing to undertake additional UK security clearances as project requirements dictate
- ISTQB or equivalent test qualifications
Your Responsibilities
- Own Test Strategy, Plans and Reports across the full project lifecycle from bid to in-life
- Lead and coordinate a team of Test Practitioners across multiple concurrent deliveries
- Act as project-wide escalation point for all test-related matters
- Author the testing sections of bid responses using Shipley methodology
- Drive integration test execution through SIT, Release Testing and AIS gates
- Liaise with project managers, programme managers and customer stakeholders to inform testing approach
- Define the depth of testing required, data sources and key deliverables alongside technical staff
- Govern test script integrity, requirements traceability and defect triage
- Escalate to the Test & Validation Manager as required
Other skills required:
- Decision Making - Confident judgement on go/no-go calls, test scope trade-offs and resource prioritisation under live programme pressure
- Stakeholder Management - Strong communication with project managers, customers and senior internal stakeholders to gather insight and shape testing approach
- Technical Authority - Ability to defend test plans and quality decisions clearly to both technical specialists and commercial leadership
- Commercial Awareness - Understands the bid-to-delivery lifecycle and how testing estimates and risk feed into Winning New Business responses
- Leadership - Allocates and coordinates work across Test Practitioners, building accountability and quality discipline within the team
Benefits
- Salary up to £70,000
- 10% on-target bonus
- Company Pension scheme (5% minimum employee contribution, 10% company contribution)
- On-call allowance
- 25 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays), increasing with service
- Huge range of flexible benefits including cycle to work, healthcare and season ticket loan
- World-class training and development opportunities
- Option to join company Share Saving schemes
Test Manager | Networks (SC Cleared) in Manchester employer: Jarvis King
Contact Detail:
Jarvis King Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Test Manager | Networks (SC Cleared) in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network with industry professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. Reach out to connections in the telecoms and testing sectors, and don’t hesitate to ask for informational interviews. This can give us insights into the role and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to test management and system integration. We should also be ready to discuss our experience with Shipley methodology and how we’ve handled complex projects in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our technical authority during interviews. Be prepared to defend our test plans and decisions clearly, demonstrating our understanding of the bid-to-delivery lifecycle and how testing impacts project success.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply directly through our website! It’s often the best way to get noticed. Tailor your application to highlight your SC clearance and relevant experience in telecoms and network testing to stand out.
We think you need these skills to ace Test Manager | Networks (SC Cleared) in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in test management and system integration testing. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Show Off Your SC Clearance: Since active SC clearance is a must from day one, make it prominent in your application. We need to know you’ve got this covered right away, so don’t bury it in the details!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, especially when it comes to your test strategies and experiences. Use bullet points if it helps to make your key points stand out!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Jarvis King
✨Know Your Test Strategies
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of test strategies and plans. Be ready to discuss how you've owned the testing process in previous roles, especially in complex projects. Highlight your experience with System Integration Testing and Release Testing, as these are crucial for the role.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with project managers, customers, and senior stakeholders. This role requires strong stakeholder management, so be ready to explain how you've shaped testing approaches based on stakeholder insights in past projects.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Shipley Methodology
Since you'll be authoring testing sections of bid responses using Shipley methodology, it’s essential to understand this process. Brush up on how to integrate testing estimates into bid responses and be prepared to discuss any relevant experiences you have.
✨Demonstrate Your Technical Authority
Be confident in discussing your technical authority and decision-making skills. Prepare to defend your test plans and quality decisions clearly, showcasing your ability to make go/no-go calls under pressure. This will show that you can handle the responsibilities of the role effectively.