Software Test Manager

About Squarcle / The Team

Squarcle is an independent strategy and operations consultancy. We are dedicated to ensuring that our clients have both a well-defined strategy and a supply chain that is aligned to provide a performance advantage. Squarcle is a people-oriented organisation that prides itself on its culture and strives to build a family of high-performing experts to tackle the constantly evolving challenges of the global supply chain. Unlike many consultancies, Squarcle is equally dedicated to delivery as it is to design.

The Technology Services department is responsible for providing expert Technology Services advice to clients that operate within a fast-moving global environment. The team is made up of subject matter experts who work with a manager/senior Services and provide evidence and insight to support the work of the broader department. Working together or independently, each role will be expected to work onsite and remotely with our clients to help them resolve their most complex and exciting technological challenges.

Squarcle is committed to equality and diversity. Our aim is to build a diverse, dedicated, and high-performing team of subject matter experts to help our clients achieve supply chain and operational excellence.

Job Overview / Introduction

We are seeking an experienced Test Manager to establish, lead, and continuously improve the testing and quality assurance capability across one or more digital and technology services. The role is responsible for defining the test strategy, managing delivery assurance, and embedding quality throughout the software development lifecycle. The Test Manager will work closely with product, engineering, architecture, and delivery teams to ensure solutions are fit for purpose, resilient, secure, and meet both functional and non-functional requirements.

Primary Role And Responsibilities

• Define and own the overall test strategy, approach, and governance for assigned services or programmes.
• Plan, manage, and assure all testing activities across the delivery lifecycle, including functional, integration, system, UAT, performance, and non-functional testing.
• Lead and coordinate testing across internal teams and third-party suppliers, ensuring clear roles, responsibilities, and outcomes.
• Embed quality engineering practices into agile and DevOps ways of working.
• Establish risk-based testing approaches aligned to service criticality and business priorities.
• Ensure test environments, data, and dependencies are planned, available, and fit for purpose.
• Track and report on test progress, quality metrics, risks, and defects, providing clear assurance to senior stakeholders.
• Drive increased use of test automation and continuous testing where appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with security, accessibility, data protection, and operational requirements.
• Continuously improve testing standards, tooling, and practices across the organisation.

Documentation & Communication

• Produce clear, comprehensive technical documentation and communicate architecture decisions and designs to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Mentorship

• Support and mentor junior team members, sharing knowledge on emerging technologies and architectural best practices.
• Work effectively in diverse teams within an inclusive team culture where people are recognised for their contribution.
• Assist the Head of Digital in developing Squarcle’s digital capabilities.
• Conduct performance reviews and annual appraisals for all direct reports.

Secondary Roles and Responsibilities

• Commit to continuous development by supporting the organisation of team events, training sessions and recruitment activities.
• Carry out other duties as specified by the Product Owner.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, & Experience

• Proven experience managing testing for complex digital or technology services.
• Strong understanding of software delivery lifecycles, including agile and DevOps models.
• Experience defining and implementing test strategies and quality frameworks.
• Knowledge of a broad range of testing types: functional, integration, regression, performance, security, and operational readiness.
• Experience working with automated testing tools and CI/CD pipelines.
• Experience testing cloud-based or distributed systems.
• Experience working in regulated or high-assurance environments.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience managing test teams and/or external suppliers.
• Ability to assess risk, prioritise effectively, and make informed quality decisions.
• Ability to clearly communicate issues and risks to the wider team.

Desirable

• Exposure to API, integration, or service-level testing.
• Exposure to ITIL Framework.
• Exposure to service-oriented, event-driven, or integration-heavy architecture.
• Familiarity with accessibility and usability testing standards.
• Commit to continuous development by supporting the organisation of team events, training sessions and recruitment activities.
• Carry out other duties as specified by the Test Manager.
• Deputise for the Test Manager during periods of absence.

SC Clearance

This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 5 years and obtain Security Check (SC) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you’ve been recruited for. If it isn’t obtained, or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining SC security clearance can be a lengthy process, and we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made if the necessary security clearance isn’t obtained within 6 months. If you hold dual citizenship or nationality from another country, please make us aware of this during the application phase. We’re unable to offer visa sponsorship.

Benefits / Additional Information

• Generous leave package: 26 days of annual leave (including your birthday!) plus UK bank holidays — increasing to 27 days after three years, and 28 after seven years.
• You’ll also get five extra days for your five and 10-year anniversaries.
• Additional leave for members of the Reserve Forces and CFAV.
• Private medical insurance provided once you’ve completed your probation.
• Recognition and rewards: £1,000 referral bonus for successful hires, performance-related awards, milestones and life event hampers to celebrate life’s big moments.
• Development & learning: Annual training week abroad, funding for qualifications that benefit both you and the business.
• Travel & wellbeing: Cycle to work scheme, discounted travel through funded railcards.
• Pension: Our pension provider is NOW Pensions, pension contributions are 3% employer and 5% employee.