Contract Test Lead

Job Title: Contract Test Lead - Pensions Transformation
Location: Leeds / Hybrid
Duration: 6 months
Day Rate: Outside IR35

Why Apply?

Looking for a Test Lead contract you can get straight into? A well-established UK pensions provider is in the middle of a major transformation programme. They need an experienced contract Test Lead to take charge of day-to-day testing and keep delivery audit-ready from day one.

You'll report to the Test Manager and lead testing across internal teams and third-party suppliers. It's a high-visibility contract where your experience in regulated environments is what the client is paying for.

Must have recent experience in one of the following industries

• Pension industry
• Financial industry
• Insurance industry

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, coordination, execution and reporting of testing across the transformation programme
• Oversee SIT, UAT, regression, end-to-end, performance and operational readiness testing
• Coordinate and assure third-party testing suppliers, escalating risks, issues and deviations
• Maintain an audit-ready testing approach that meets regulatory, security and compliance requirements
• Produce test plans, schedules, resource plans and quality gates
• Run defect triage, making sure defects are prioritised, tracked and resolved on time
• Provide assurance on OAT and non-functional testing, including performance, security and penetration testing
• Ensure test coverage across pensions administration systems, digital platforms, data migration and regulatory reporting
• Recommend improvements to automation, shift-left practices and CI/CD integration
• Give stakeholders clear reporting on progress, quality metrics, risks and defects
• Guide and coordinate the testing team day to day

Requirements

• Proven track record as a Test Lead in financial services, such as pensions, insurance, banking or another regulated environment
• End-to-end testing experience on complex transformation programmes
• Knowledge of pensions administration systems and processes
• Strong skills in test planning, defect management, risk assessment and stakeholder engagement
• Hands-on experience with Azure DevOps or similar
• Technical testing experience, including API and integration, mobile, data validation and reconciliation, and performance/load testing
• Experience managing third-party testing suppliers
• ISTQB Foundation (or equivalent)
• Available at short notice

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.