At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and execute operational readiness testing for production systems.
- Company: Join Scrumconnect, a dynamic digital transformation consultancy.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive culture with flexible working options and career growth.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at our core; we welcome all applicants.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by ensuring systems are ready for launch.
- Qualifications: 6-9 years in QA/testing with strong OAT experience required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Scrumconnect Consulting is a UK-based digital transformation consultancy delivering secure, scalable, and user-centred solutions across government and enterprise organizations. We specialise in agile delivery, cloud platforms, data, and modern engineering practices—helping clients build reliable services that meet high operational and compliance standards.
The Lead Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT) Tester is responsible for leading and executing operational readiness testing to ensure systems are fully production-ready before go-live. You will own the OAT strategy, manage test execution, produce operational evidence, and provide assurance that services are stable, resilient, monitored, and supportable. This role involves close collaboration with delivery, infrastructure, DevOps, and support teams, as well as mentoring junior testers.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the planning and execution of Operational Acceptance Testing activities
- Define OAT scope, approach, and entry/exit criteria
- Ensure alignment with release and deployment timelines
- Act as the OAT point of contact for stakeholders
- Lead and oversee operational test coverage, including:
- Monitoring and alert validation
- Alert simulation and escalation testing
- Backup and restore testing
- Failover and disaster recovery execution
- Batch job restart validation
- Stability and soak testing
- Access, security, and support readiness checks
- Ensure detailed and auditable operational test evidence is produced
- Log, prioritise, and track operational defects and risks
- Coordinate retesting and validate fixes
- Maintain OAT artefacts, reports, and audit documentation
- Work closely with infrastructure, DevOps, and support teams to validate operational readiness
- Lead OAT walkthroughs, reviews, and sign-off sessions
- Support release, go-live, and milestone readiness reviews
- Provide operational assurance to programme and delivery leadership
- Mentor and support QA/OAT team members
- Review test artefacts produced by junior testers
- Promote best practices and continuous improvement within OAT
Required Experience
- 6–9 years of QA / Testing experience
- Strong hands-on experience in Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT)
- Prior experience leading OAT activities or teams
- Experience across SIT and UAT with a strong operational focus
- Excellent analytical, documentation, and stakeholder management skills
- Experience working in regulated or controlled environments
- Strong understanding of production readiness and live support models
Nice to Have
- Experience with cloud platforms (AWS and/or Azure)
- Exposure to monitoring, logging, and alerting tools
- Understanding of incident, problem, and change management processes
- Experience working in Agile delivery environments
At Scrumconnect Consulting, we believe diversity drives innovation. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and supported. We actively encourage applications from women, people with disabilities, individuals from under-represented communities, and those seeking flexible working arrangements. As a Disability Confident Level 1 employer, we provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and employment to ensure equal opportunity for all.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead OAT Tester (SC Eligible/ Cleared) in Staines
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Scrumconnect Limited or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
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✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Scrumconnect Limited.
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We think you need these skills to ace Lead OAT Tester (SC Eligible/ Cleared) in Staines
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Scrumconnect Limited.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Scrumconnect Limited and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scrumconnect Limited
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Scrumconnect Limited uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
