IT Test Lead

As IT Test Lead, you will shape and govern our testing strategy across a diverse portfolio, ensuring releases are reliable, secure and fit for purpose. You will set standards, frameworks and tools, providing governance rather than day-to-day testing. You’ll train and coach teams, review evidence and supply assurance to support confident release decisions. This role sits within a broader IT Strategy to modernise technology and strengthen governance and cyber security, offering a meaningful impact on residents, businesses and council services.

• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• flexible and agile working
• discounts on Cafés, restaurants and shops
• generous Pension Scheme
• gym memberships discounts

• Set the strategic direction for testing and quality assurance across projects, releases and service changes
• Develop and maintain testing governance, standards, frameworks, processes, templates and tools for others to follow
• Provide training, guidance and coaching so business users, IT teams and external suppliers can apply the agreed testing approach effectively
• Provide independent oversight, quality assurance reporting, risk assessments and readiness recommendations to support informed decisions

• Significant experience leading testing activities across complex technology projects and environments
• Strong understanding of test lifecycle management, quality assurance and risk-based testing methodologies
• Ability to communicate clearly with technical and non-technical audiences and build trusted advisory relationships
• Experience coordinating multiple priorities across diverse teams and aligning testing with business objectives
• Experience with enterprise testing and delivery tools; professional testing qualification or equivalent knowledge/experience
• Leadership, organisational and stakeholder management skills

• collaborative
• proactive
• problem-solving
• test lifecycle management
• quality assurance
• risk-based testing