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.
Sheffield
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'll 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'll 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'll 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'll 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'll 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) employer: Jarvis King
As a leading communications and technology business in Sheffield, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that invests heavily in our employees' growth and development. With a strong focus on career advancement, world-class training, and a supportive hybrid working environment, we offer competitive salaries, generous benefits, and the opportunity to work on complex, high-impact projects that make a real difference in the public sector. Join us to be part of a dynamic team where your expertise in test management will be valued and your contributions will shape the future of mission-critical networks.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Test Manager | Networks (SC Cleared)
✨Tip Number 1
Network with industry professionals! Attend meetups, webinars, or conferences related to telecoms and testing. This is a great way to get your name out there and learn about job openings that might not be advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions specific to test management and system integration. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio of your previous test strategies and plans. This will help you stand out during interviews and demonstrate your hands-on experience in managing complex projects.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Test Manager | Networks (SC Cleared)
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-have for this role, make it prominent in your application. We need to know you’re ready to hit the ground running, so mention it early on to grab our attention!
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 directly 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 the past.
✨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 inside out. Bring examples of how you've contributed to bid responses before, particularly in a testing context, to show your familiarity.
✨Demonstrate Your Technical Authority
Be prepared to defend your test plans and quality decisions. Think of scenarios where you had to make tough go/no-go calls or manage test scope trade-offs under pressure. Showing confidence in your technical authority will help you stand out as a candidate.
