At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead functional testing for complex implementations, ensuring quality and timely delivery.
- Company: Join a leading financial services firm focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work in a global team and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic role that drives quality in financial technology.
- Qualifications: 10-15 years in functional testing, with strong leadership and project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € 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
Alpha Front Office Test Lead, Assistant Vice President employer: State Street
At Alpha, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work environment that empowers our employees to excel in their roles. As an Assistant Vice President in our Global Testing Practice, you will benefit from comprehensive professional development opportunities, a collaborative culture that values innovation, and the chance to work on complex, impactful projects within the financial services sector. Our commitment to quality and excellence ensures that you will be part of a team that not only drives success but also prioritises your growth and well-being.
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 know you’re on the hunt, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your responses and show them you’re not just another candidate, but the right fit for 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 in front of the real interviewers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for the role and appreciation for the opportunity.
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 role of Implementation Functional Test Lead, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to manage end-to-end test execution. Use metrics where possible to show how you’ve contributed to successful project outcomes.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your key points stand out. This will help us quickly see why you’re a great fit for the team!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at State Street
✨Know Your Testing Strategies
Before the interview, brush up on various testing strategies and approaches relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss how you would develop a test strategy for the function you're applying for, and think about examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your hands-on ownership in planning and execution.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
This role requires strong project management discipline, so be prepared to talk about your experience with managing dependencies and milestones. Bring specific examples of how you've coordinated testing efforts across teams and ensured alignment with overall program goals.
✨Defect Management Know-How
Since defect management is a key responsibility, come equipped with insights on how you've handled defect identification, triage, and resolution in previous roles. Discuss any tools you've used, like JIRA, and how you maintained transparency and predictability in defect management.
✨Collaboration is Key
Highlight your collaboration skills by preparing examples of how you've worked closely with business, technology, and integration teams. Emphasise your ability to communicate effectively and drive initiatives that improve testing processes, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
