Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Quality Assurance and Testing function, shaping testing practices and mentoring colleagues.
- Company: Join the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, dedicated to saving lives at sea.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, flexible working, and 25+ days annual leave.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on digital solutions that support critical operations and save lives.
- 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.
Benefits
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
- 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
- Access to the staff discount portal.
- Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
- Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
- 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
About You
- 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.
How to Apply
This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Sunday 26th April 2026.
Head of Quality Assurance and Test in Southampton employer: Maritime & Coastguard Agency
Contact Detail:
Maritime & 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 folks in the industry, especially those already working at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. A friendly chat can give us insights into the company culture and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your testing knowledge. We should be ready to discuss our experience with test strategies and how we’ve influenced best practices in previous roles. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our leadership skills! As the Head of Quality Assurance and Test, we need to demonstrate how we've built and led teams before. Share specific examples of mentoring junior testers and driving quality initiatives.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, it shows we’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 Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in leading testing in complex digital environments. We want to see how your skills align with the responsibilities listed in the job description!
Showcase Your Expertise: As a potential SME in testing practices, don’t hold back! Share specific examples of how you've built and enhanced test functions in previous roles. This will help us see your impact and expertise in action.
Engage with Stakeholders: Demonstrate your strong stakeholder engagement skills by including examples of how you've communicated technical concepts to non-technical audiences. We love seeing how you can bridge that gap!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Maritime & Coastguard Agency
✨Know Your Testing Strategies
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of testing strategies and methodologies. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented these in past roles, especially in complex digital environments. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the concepts but can also apply them effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Quality Assurance and Test, you'll need to lead teams and mentor junior testers. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, influenced decision-making, and driven quality initiatives. Highlight your ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
✨Familiarise Yourself with the MCA's Mission
Understanding the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's mission to save lives at sea is crucial. Be prepared to discuss how your role in QA and testing can directly support this mission. This shows your commitment to the organisation's goals and how you can contribute meaningfully.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions about their current testing practices, challenges they face, and how they envision the future of their QA function. This not only demonstrates your interest but also helps you gauge if the role aligns with your career aspirations.