At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead functional testing for complex financial implementations and ensure high-quality delivery.
- Company: Join a global leader in investment management with a commitment to employee growth.
- Benefits: Flexible work-life support, paid volunteer days, and inclusive development opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and diverse workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while shaping the future of finance.
- Qualifications: 10-15 years in functional testing, strong leadership, and collaboration skills required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.
We are seeking a strong delivery-focused testing professional to serve as an Implementation Functional Test Lead within the Alpha Global Testing Practice. This role partners closely with the Implementation Test Manager and is accountable for managing end-to-end test execution for a specific function (e.g., Front Office, Middle Office, Back Office, or Data) within an Alpha implementation.
The role requires hands-on ownership of planning, execution, coordination, reporting and defect management to ensure high-quality, predictable delivery outcomes.
Alpha implementations are complex, multi-functional programs spanning business processes, data, and technology across the investment lifecycle. Functional test execution must be tightly coordinated, well-governed, and aligned with overall program milestones. The Functional Test Lead plays a critical role in ensuring function-level testing is executed effectively, risks are surfaced early, and dependencies across teams are actively managed.
What you will be responsible for:
- Partner with the Implementation Test Manager to manage all aspects of test execution for an assigned function within a specific Alpha implementation.
- Own function-level test execution delivery, including:
- Test strategy and approach for the function
- Detailed test planning and scheduling
- Day-to-day execution management across test phases
- Defect management, triage, and resolution tracking
- Status reporting, risk identification, and issue escalation
- Provide strong project management discipline for the functional testing workstream, including dependency tracking and milestone alignment.
- Coordinate closely with business, technology, and integration teams to ensure functional scope, data readiness, and environments are aligned.
- Partner with the System Performance team to support planning and execution of performance testing activities relevant to the function.
- Partner with the Automation team to drive adoption and execution of automation, ensuring functional test coverage, reusability, and alignment with overall test strategy.
- Own end-to-end defect management for the assigned function, including defect identification, logging, triage, prioritization, tracking, and closure across test phases.
- Lead defect triage forums at the functional level, partnering with business, technology, and integration teams to drive timely resolution.
- Ensure defects are risk-assessed, severity-aligned, and impact-aware, with clear traceability to business processes and test scenarios.
- Proactively identify defect trends, systemic issues, and quality risks, escalating to the Implementation Test Manager with clear mitigation recommendations.
- Maintain strong governance over defect SLAs, aging, leakage, and reopen rates, ensuring transparency and predictability in execution.
- Ensure accurate and disciplined use of defect management tools (e.g., JIRA), including reporting, dashboards, and audit-ready documentation.
- Ensure adherence to testing standards, governance, and best practices across functional test cycles.
- Manage and guide functional test analysts and testers (FTEs and vendors), providing clear direction and execution oversight.
- Produce clear, concise test status reporting for the Test Manager and broader implementation leadership.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of functional testing approaches, assets, and execution models.
- Play an advisory role in projects facing challenges, providing direction, solution and stabilization support.
- Proactively drive initiatives, identify gaps and implement improvements across projects.
What we value:
- Strong execution mindset with the ability to operate independently while aligning closely with broader program leadership.
- Experience leading functional testing within complex, client-facing transformation or platform implementation programs.
- Ability to balance hands-on test leadership with structured reporting and stakeholder communication.
- Strong collaboration skills across Testing, Performance, Automation, Technology, and Business teams.
- Commitment to quality, risk management, and delivery predictability.
These skills will help you succeed in this role:
- End-to-end test execution and delivery management
- Functional test planning and execution leadership
- Defect management and risk-based decision making
- Experience leading defect triage and resolution governance
- Project and delivery coordination skills
- Experience with agile or hybrid delivery models (e.g., JIRA, Confluence)
- Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills
- Ability to work effectively in a global, multi-vendor environment
- Knowledge of front, middle, and back-office workflows and data flows (preferred)
Education & Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Technology, Finance, Management, or related disciplines
- 10–15 years overall experience, with strong experience in functional testing for financial services or technology transformation programs
- 4–8 years of experience leading testing workstreams or functional teams across internal and external stakeholders
Across the globe, institutional investors rely on us to help them manage risk, respond to challenges, and drive performance and profitability. We keep our clients at the heart of everything we do, and smart, engaged employees are essential to our continued success.
We are committed to fostering an environment where every employee feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential. As an essential partner in our shared success, you’ll benefit from inclusive development opportunities, flexible work-life support, paid volunteer days, and vibrant employee networks that keep you connected to what matters most. Join us in shaping the future.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we consider all qualified applicants for all positions without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, marital status, domestic partnership or civil union status, familial status, military and veteran status, and other characteristics protected by applicable law.
Alpha Front Office Test Lead, Assistant Vice President employer: State Street Corporation
At State Street, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee growth and inclusivity. As an Alpha Front Office Test Lead, you will be part of a collaborative team dedicated to delivering high-quality outcomes in a complex environment, with access to flexible work-life support, vibrant employee networks, and continuous development opportunities that empower you to reach your full potential.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Alpha Front Office Test Lead, Assistant Vice President
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and role thoroughly. Understand their values, recent projects, and challenges they face. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online platforms to get comfortable with common questions. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Alpha Front Office Test Lead, Assistant Vice President
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in functional testing and project management. We want to see how your skills align with the specific requirements of the Alpha Front Office Test Lead role.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your successes! Use metrics and examples to demonstrate how you’ve effectively managed test execution and defect management in previous roles. This will help us see the impact you've made.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key points stand out. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role, and ensure your passion for quality and delivery shines through.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This way, you’ll ensure it reaches the right people and you can easily track your application status. Plus, it’s the best way to stay updated on any further steps!
How to prepare for a job interview at State Street Corporation
✨Know Your Testing Fundamentals
Make sure you brush up on your testing methodologies and frameworks. Understand the end-to-end test execution process, especially in a financial services context. Be ready to discuss how you would manage defect tracking and resolution, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your project management experience, particularly in coordinating complex testing efforts. Be specific about how you've managed dependencies and milestones in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your ability to align with broader program leadership.
✨Communicate Clearly and Effectively
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, especially when discussing risk management and quality assurance. Use concise language to explain how you would report status updates and escalate issues, as strong communication skills are vital for this position.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Experience
Be ready to share instances where you've successfully collaborated with cross-functional teams, including business, technology, and integration teams. Highlight your experience in leading defect triage forums and how you’ve driven timely resolutions, as teamwork is key in this role.
