Role Summary
The Test Lead will lead end-to-end quality engineering and testing delivery across the Keystone transformation program, covering system integration, adapters, dual run validation, and business process assurance.
The role is accountable for ensuring test strategy alignment, execution excellence, governance, and business confidence across a complex, multi-vendor utility landscape involving legacy-to-target system migration and integration ecosystems.
Key Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
1. Test Strategy & Program Planning
• Define and own overall test strategy across program phases:
o SIT, UAT, E2E, Dual Run, Regression
• Develop integrated test plans, schedules, environments, and resourcing model
• Align testing activities with:
o Business readiness milestones
o Release calendars
o Integration dependencies
• Ensure test coverage across systems, adapters, and business journeys
2. End-to-End Test Delivery
• Lead delivery of:
o System Integration Testing (SIT)
o User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
o End-to-End (E2E) testing
o Regression and release validation
• Ensure validation of:
o Functional business processes
o Cross-system integrations and adapters
o Data consistency and downstream impacts
• Drive risk-based and priority-driven execution model
3. Integration & Adapter Testing
• Oversee testing of upstream, downstream, and third-party integrations
• Validate correct functioning of:
o APIs and event flows
o Batch and real-time processing
• Ensure traceability between business journeys and integration touchpoints
4. Dual Run & Business Validation
• Support execution of parallel system validation where applicable
• Ensure accurate:
o Data reconciliation
o Output comparison (billing, financials, customer journeys)
• Provide assurance for business readiness and operational continuity
5. Quality Governance & Test Management
• Establish and lead Test Management Office (TMO)
• Define and track key quality metrics:
o Test coverage
o Defect density and leakage
o Execution progress
• Conduct entry/exit criteria reviews and quality gate sign-offs
6. Defect Lifecycle Management
• Own end-to-end defect management process:
o Identification, triage, prioritisation, closure
• Lead defect triage forums across teams and vendors
• Perform root cause analysis and continuous improvement tracking
7. Environment & Test Data Management
• Ensure availability of:
o Test environments aligned to release plans
o Production-like test data scenarios
• Manage environment conflicts, dependencies, and test scheduling
• Ensure compliance with data privacy and regulatory requirements
8. Stakeholder & Vendor Management
• Act as single point of accountability for testing delivery
• Engage with:
o Business stakeholders
o Program leadership
o Technology teams and vendors
• Provide clear communication, escalations, and resolution management
9. Reporting & Go-Live Readiness
• Deliver transparent and data-driven reporting:
o Daily / weekly test dashboards
o Risk and dependency tracking
• Support Go/No-Go decisions with evidence-backed insights
• Ensure business sign-offs for release readiness
10. Risk, Compliance & Continuous Improvement
• Identify and mitigate testing risks and delivery challenges
• Ensure adherence to:
o Regulatory standards
o Audit requirements
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across test lifecycle
Desirable skills/knowledge/experience: (As applicable)
Experience
• 15–20 years in Quality Engineering / Testing
• 5+ years as Test Lead / Test Manager in large transformation programs
• Proven experience in:
o End-to-end test delivery across multiple phases
o Integration-heavy enterprise programs
o Utilities / Energy domain (preferred)
Technical Skills
• Strong expertise in:
o SIT, UAT, E2E, Regression Testing
o Integration & API testing
• Experience with tools:
o Azure DevOps / JIRA / ALM
• Good understanding of:
o Test data management
o Environment management
o Automation frameworks (desirable)
Leadership & Governance
• Strong capability in:
o Test planning, estimation, and delivery management
o Multi-vendor coordination and governance
o Executive-level reporting and stakeholder communication
• Ability to drive:
o Quality gates
o Evidence-based decision making
Preferred Qualifications
• ISTQB certified
• Experience in:
o UK Utilities
o Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure)
• Exposure to:
o Dual run programs (advantage but not mandatory)
