Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of test engineers to ensure top-notch quality in airport technology.
- Company: MAG, the largest UK-owned airport operator, serving over 60 million passengers annually.
- Benefits: Flexible working, free parking, subsidised transport, and extensive company discounts.
- Why this job: Shape the future of airport operations with innovative testing strategies and technologies.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in testing leadership and modern methodologies.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to continuous improvement and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
Based at Manchester, Stansted or East Midlands Airport
Permanent Role
Office or Flexible/Hybrid working for a better work/life balance
We are proud to be a diverse employer, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds.
At MAG we provide the airport facilities and travel services that people need to connect with the world. As the largest UK‑owned airport operator, we serve over 60 million passengers a year from Manchester, London Stansted, and East Midlands Airports. With over 270 destinations across the globe, our businesses not only bring people together but also support the prosperity of the regions in which we operate.
We know that creating a first‑class journey for our customers starts with creating a first‑class career journey for our colleagues. That’s why we’re committed to building inclusive environments in which our people can thrive.
You’ll also have access to some great benefits including:
- Free parking
- Subsidised public transport
- Huge range of company discounts
- 2 volunteering days per year
- Free Virtual GP service, available 24/7
- Care Concierge service
The role involves playing a pivotal leadership role within MAG Tech, providing the strategic direction for testing and quality assurance across all MagTech projects. Leading a team of up to 20 test engineers, you’ll ensure our technology deliverables meet the highest quality standards and support our ambition to deliver seamless, secure, and innovative airport operations.
Reporting directly to the Chief Technology Officer, you will shape testing strategy, embed best practice methodologies, drive automation, and work closely with engineering, product and business partners to ensure testing is integrated effectively throughout the development lifecycle.
What will make you successful in the role?
We’re looking for an experienced testing leader who brings a blend of technical expertise, strategic capability, and team‑oriented leadership.
You’ll bring:
- Extensive testing expertise, with a strong background leading testing of complex systems and implementing modern testing methodologies.
- Technical proficiency across automation frameworks and tools such as Selenium, Cypress, JUnit, TestNG and CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, Azure DevOps, GitLab CI).
- Experience with hybrid cloud and SaaS environments, understanding their specific testing challenges and opportunities.
- Strong automation and CI/CD mindset, with the ability to design, implement and optimise automated test suites.
- Leadership and people‑management strengths, with evidence of developing and motivating high‑performing test teams.
- Capability development, including building internal testing expertise and fostering knowledge‑sharing.
- The ability to devise and execute testing plans for highly regulated and national critical infrastructure projects, enabling rapid and regular high-quality releases into production.
- Clear stakeholder engagement skills, working effectively with software engineering, solution architecture, service operations and change teams.
- Robust risk‑management and analytical skills, enabling strong decision‑making on defect prioritisation, release readiness and quality governance.
- A commitment to continuous improvement, staying ahead of new technologies, tools and testing approaches.
At MAG we believe in the importance of diversity & inclusion for all. We are committed to creating a workforce that is reflective of our society and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.
We’re also committed to wellbeing, with a strong focus on mental health and supporting underrepresented groups through our Colleague Resource Groups.
Head of Test in Manchester employer: MAG (Airports Group)
Contact Detail:
MAG (Airports Group) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Test in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant meetups, and engage with professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with yours. We want you to shine, so practice common interview questions and think about how your experience as a testing leader can add value to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills through real-world examples. When discussing your experience, highlight specific projects where you led testing initiatives or implemented automation frameworks. We love seeing how you’ve made an impact in previous roles!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re always looking for talented individuals who are passionate about making a difference in the airport operations space.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Test in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Test role. Highlight your extensive testing expertise and leadership experience, showcasing how you've led teams and implemented modern testing methodologies.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how your background aligns with MAG's mission. Don’t forget to mention your technical proficiency in automation frameworks!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your capability in leading high-performing test teams and driving automation. Numbers and results speak volumes!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you started on your journey with MAG!
How to prepare for a job interview at MAG (Airports Group)
✨Know Your Testing Methodologies
Make sure you brush up on modern testing methodologies and frameworks like Selenium and Cypress. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented these in past roles, as this will show your technical proficiency and strategic capability.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Test, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership and people-management strengths. Prepare examples of how you've developed high-performing teams and fostered a culture of knowledge-sharing and continuous improvement.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with MAG's operations and the specific challenges of testing in hybrid cloud and SaaS environments. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs and how you can contribute to seamless airport operations.
✨Engage Stakeholders Effectively
Prepare to discuss your experience in stakeholder engagement. Think of examples where you've worked closely with software engineering and change teams to ensure testing is integrated throughout the development lifecycle, highlighting your communication skills.
