Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Quality Assurance and Testing function, shaping best practices and mentoring colleagues.
- Company: Join the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, dedicated to saving lives at sea.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension contributions, and 25 days annual leave.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on digital solutions that support critical operational systems.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in testing within complex digital environments and strong stakeholder engagement skills.
- Other info: Flexible working options and excellent career development opportunities await you.
The predicted salary is between 57515 - 57515 £ per year.
As the Head of Quality Assurance and Testing you will lead the creation of the Quality Assurance (QA) and Test function encompassing test planning, execution, and assurance across multiple stakeholders. You’ll play a pivotal part in shaping the MCA’s testing community, mentoring colleagues, promoting best practices, and driving continuous improvement. Robust Testing and Quality Assurance are essential to delivering secure, reliable, and user-focused digital solutions, which underpin critical operational systems, directly supporting the MCA’s mission to save lives at sea.
Top Responsibilities
- Championing structured testing and its benefits to senior stakeholders and delivery partners to influence decision-making and drive adoption.
- Defining and managing the scope, priorities, and governance of the Test Function, establishing processes and standards in an environment with limited historical data or internal capability.
- Be the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for all testing practices, providing authoritative guidance and ensuring alignment with best-in-class methodologies.
- Implementing the MCA’s QAT strategy across programmes and projects, aligned to Digital, Data, & Technology (DDAT) standards and risk-based approaches.
- Managing test environments, data, tools, and automation frameworks to support efficient and repeatable testing.
- Overseeing defect management processes, ensuring timely triage, resolution, and reporting of issues.
- Collaborating with stakeholders and managing vendor relationships, negotiating contracts and ensuring external partners meet quality standards.
- Build and lead a community of practice for testing within the MCA, mentoring junior testers and promoting best practice.
About You
To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:
- Significant experience in leading testing in complex digital delivery environments, ideally within government or regulated sectors.
- Proven ability to define and implement test strategies across multiple delivery teams and suppliers.
- Recognised SME in testing practices, with a proven track record of building and enhancing test functions and driving strategic quality initiatives to influence best practices and deliver robust testing frameworks.
- Experience with test automation tools, frameworks, and continuous integration pipelines.
- Demonstrable experience in managing test environments, data, and tooling.
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
Additional Information
You will hold ISTQB Advanced Test Manager, OR BCS Intermediate/Advanced Test Management, OR Agile Testing (e.g. ICAgile, SAFe), OR ITIL Foundation, OR have equivalent experience.
Head of Quality Assurance and Test in Southampton employer: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Contact Detail:
Maritime and Coastguard Agency Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Quality Assurance and Test in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those already working at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to quality assurance and testing. We recommend using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and showcase your experience effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring examples of your previous work in leading testing functions and implementing strategies. This will help you stand out as the Subject Matter Expert they’re looking for.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the MCA team and contributing to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Quality Assurance and Test in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Quality Assurance and Test role. Highlight your experience in leading testing in complex digital environments and any relevant qualifications. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about quality assurance and how you can contribute to the MCA's mission. Be sure to mention your experience with test strategies and stakeholder engagement.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've influenced best practices or improved testing frameworks in previous roles. We love seeing measurable impacts!
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Maritime and Coastguard Agency
✨Know Your Testing Strategies
Make sure you brush up on various testing strategies and methodologies. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented these in past roles, especially in complex digital environments. This will show your expertise and help you stand out as a Subject Matter Expert.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare to talk about your experience in engaging with stakeholders. Think of examples where you influenced decision-making or drove adoption of testing practices. Being able to communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences is key, so practice explaining your ideas clearly.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As the Head of Quality Assurance and Test, you'll need to lead a community of practice. Share your experiences mentoring junior testers and promoting best practices. Highlight any initiatives you've led that improved testing frameworks or quality assurance processes.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Tools and Automation
Get comfortable discussing test automation tools and frameworks you've used. Be prepared to explain how you've managed test environments and data in previous roles. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness to implement the MCA’s QAT strategy effectively.