At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and assure the end-to-end testing lifecycle across a dynamic programme.
- Company: Join a heritage-rich firm with over 175 years of innovation in savings and investments.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38 days annual leave, competitive pension scheme, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Inclusive culture welcoming diverse backgrounds and supporting career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by ensuring quality and sustainability in financial solutions.
- Qualifications: Strong testing expertise and experience in managing complex change initiatives.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Our purpose is to give everyone real confidence to put their money to work. With a heritage dating back more than 175 years, we have a long history of innovation in savings and investments, combining asset management and insurance expertise to offer a wide range of solutions. Our two distinct operating segments, Asset Management and Life, work together to provide access to balanced, long-term investment and savings solutions.
Through telling it like it is, owning it now, and moving it forward together with care and integrity; we are creating an exceptional place to work for exceptional talent. We will consider flexible working arrangements for any of our roles and also offer workplace accommodations to ensure you have what you need to effectively deliver in your role.
The Role: We’re looking for a Programme Test Delivery & Oversight Manager who will be accountable for leading and assuring the end-to-end testing lifecycle across a programme. The role ensures that delivered outcomes are fit for purpose, operationally sustainable, and aligned to customer, regulatory and business requirements. Importantly this role also defines and governs the programme test strategy, provides integrated oversight of all testing activity, and ensures that third-party delivery is controlled, transparent and delivered to agreed quality standards. Please note this is a 12 month Fixed Term Contract.
Key Responsibilities for this Role:
- Define, baseline and maintain a robust programme-level test strategy, including scope, approach, environments, data, entry and exit criteria, and quality gates.
- Establish and manage an integrated test plan across all testing phases - including SIT, UAT, OAT, NFT, performance, security and resilience - ensuring alignment to programme milestones and business readiness.
- Provide active oversight and assurance of third-party test delivery, ensuring outputs meet agreed standards and risks and issues are proactively managed.
- Own defect management governance, ensuring effective triage, prioritisation, resolution and visibility of root causes.
- Deliver clear, evidence-led reporting to programme and executive governance, including transparent articulation of risks, issues and residual quality exposure.
- Provide clear, evidence based recommendations on go-live readiness, ensuring risks are understood, documented and appropriately mitigated.
Key Knowledge, Skills & Experience:
- Strong programme level testing expertise, combining strategic oversight with hands-on control across planning and delivery.
- Proven track record of leading end-to-end testing across complex, multi-vendor transformation programmes.
- Extensive experience in testing or QA with significant experience in test management leadership on complex change initiatives.
- Evidence of managing multiple test phases and coordinating cross-functional teams and suppliers.
- Strong governance discipline, with the ability to operate effectively in a regulated financial services environment.
- Experience managing third-party suppliers, providing oversight, assurance and performance management.
- Ability to translate technical test outcomes into clear business risk and decision-making insight.
- Strong stakeholder management across business, operations and technology functions.
You will be experienced with various tools and technology, including but not limited to: Enterprise test management and defect tracking tools such as Jira (with Xray/Zephyr), Azure DevOps, ALM or TestRail; Integrated QA and automation platforms (e.g., Tricentis, qTest, Katalon) and an understanding of how these support end-to-end testing and reporting; Working knowledge of CI/CD and automation tools (e.g., Selenium, Postman, Jenkins) and their role in modern testing approaches; Producing quality metrics and reporting using tools such as Jira dashboards, Power BI or similar. Exposure to non-functional and data testing tools (e.g., JMeter, LoadRunner, SQL-based validation) is desirable, particularly within complex transformation or migration programmes.
Ideally you will hold an ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level, with Advanced Level – Test Management being strongly desirable. Alternative qualifications include but are not limited to: Additional ISTQB certifications (e.g. Test Automation, Technical Test Analyst, Agile or Expert Level) desirable; Relevant QA certifications such as CSTE, CSQA or Certified Manager of Software Testing; Programme or delivery certifications (e.g. PRINCE2, PMP, Agile/Scrum); ITIL or equivalent service management certifications beneficial, particularly in environments with third-party suppliers; Continuous improvement or quality certifications (e.g. Six Sigma).
We’d love to hear from you if you’re someone who’s genuinely curious - the kind of person who asks thoughtful questions and digs a little deeper to understand what’s really going on. You enjoy working with others and naturally bring people together, even when things feel a bit unclear. You think ahead, notice patterns early and stay focused on creating real value for the people around you. Most of all, you care about making things better - for colleagues, for customers, and for the workplace as a whole. If this sounds like you, we want you to apply!
Location: Various – London, Sterling, Kildean, Home Based – England & Scotland
Job Level: Manager / Expert
What we offer:
At M&G, we’re committed to helping you thrive and supporting your wellbeing, both at work and beyond. Our benefits are designed to help you balance your professional and personal life, while planning confidently for your future. Our UK benefits include:
- A valuable pension scheme of 18%, with 13% made up of Employer Contributions and 5% Employee Contributions.
- Share Save and our Share Incentive Plan, together with access to financial wellbeing and support services.
- 38 days annual leave including bank holidays, with the opportunity to purchase up to 5 extra days and additional flexibility through our Time Off When You Need It policy.
- Comprehensive support and paid parental leave covering maternity, adoption, surrogacy, and paternity leave.
- Health & Protection cover including Private Healthcare, Critical Illness cover and Life Assurance for you, with family options.
We have a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture at M&G, underpinned by our policies and our employee-led networks who provide networking opportunities, advice and support for the diverse communities our colleagues represent. Regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, nationality, disability or long term condition, we are looking to attract, promote and retain exceptional people. We also welcome those who take part in military service and those returning from career breaks.
M&G is also proud to be a Disability Confident Leader, and we welcome applications from candidates with long-term health conditions, disabilities, or neuro-divergent conditions. If you need assistance or an alternative means of applying for a role due to a disability or additional need, please let us know by contacting us at: careers@mandg.com
Programme Test Delivery & Oversight Manager in Stirling employer: Prudential Distribution
At M&G, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and growth. With flexible working arrangements, a generous benefits package including an 18% pension scheme, and a commitment to diversity, we empower our employees to thrive both professionally and personally. Join us in London, Sterling, Kildean, or from the comfort of your home, and be part of a team that values integrity, collaboration, and innovation in the financial services sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Test Delivery & Oversight Manager in Stirling
✨Join Financial Networking Events
Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.
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Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like Prudential Distribution.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.
✨Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like Prudential Distribution might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Test Delivery & Oversight Manager in Stirling
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Prudential Distribution will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Prudential Distribution. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Prudential Distribution confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Prudential Distribution
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Prudential Distribution.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Prudential Distribution that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
