Manager, IT QA Transformation & Automation

Position

Position Overview

The Manager - IT QA leads the Quality Assurance function within the IT department in a fast-paced environment. This role is responsible for establishing the QA strategy and methodology standards across all aspects of QA services, including tooling, process methodologies and performance testing. A key objective is to transform the IT QA area to align with business processes, focusing on the efficient delivery of quality and ensuring the continuity of business operations. This position requires a strong emphasis on test automation as a primary enabler of efficiency and agility in IT product delivery.

Key Accountabilities 

Transform the IT QA Organization and drive continuous improvement process to achieve:

• Business-Aligned QA Scope: Align the IT QA functional scope with the Business Process Model, ensuring tests assure the quality, reliability, and performance of specific Business Functions.
• Robust Regression Testing: Define and execute a comprehensive Regression Test Suite, harmonizing the process with DevOps practices for continuous integration and delivery.
• Automated Test Execution: Modernize test execution by developing and leveraging automated testing where it maximizes benefits and optimizes costs.
• Flexible QA Delivery Options: Offer tailored IT QA delivery options for Programs, Projects, and Production Support functions, accommodating diverse project delivery methodologies from Waterfall to Scrum/Agile.

Drive Delivery of IT QA Services by:

• Collaborating with Product and Project Teams: Partnering on demand management, planning, and resourcing for all QA activities.
• Managing QA Teams: Leading internal and external teams to ensure effective and timely delivery of QA deliverables throughout the SDLC.
• Delivering and Approving Test Strategies and Plans: Developing comprehensive Test Strategies and Plans for projects and driving the review and approval process.
• Managing Risks and Issues: Collaborating with Project Managers to proactively manage risks and issues within the IT QA domain.
• Optimizing Resource Utilization: Managing capacity, utilization, and licensing of software tools supporting the IT QA function.
• Monitoring and Improving Performance: Monitoring testing/QA metrics, reports, and SLAs; and supporting corrective actions as needed.
• Driving Test Automation: Identifying test automation opportunities, and developing new automations or updating existing automations

Manage IT QA Leads – direct reports:

• Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to QA Leads, fostering a collaborative, high-performing team, and promoting continuous learning.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, set clear goals, provide constructive feedback, and identify development opportunities for QA Leads.
• Allocate resources effectively, monitor workload balance among QA Leads and address any resource constraints.

Manage External Vendors (Service Providers) in IT QA by:

• Managing Vendor Relationships: Leading vendor relationship management activities to support the delivery of testing/QA services, serving as the primary contact for project team members and IT functional partners.
• Participating in Vendor Candidate Screening: Participating in screening potential consultant testing/QA candidates to ensure appropriate experience and fit.
• Validating Vendor Estimates and Plans: Reviewing and validating vendor-provided staffing estimates, approaches, and schedules for new engagements/scopes of work.
• Supporting Vendor Onboarding: Supporting the onboarding of new consultant personnel and accelerating their integration into the account by providing appropriate knowledge transfer.
• Managing Financial Administration: Performing financial administrative functions in accordance with company policies regarding testing/QA budgeting, including tracking actual costs versus budget forecasts, providing variance explanations as necessary, and supporting the timely processing of invoices (reviewing invoices for accuracy, coding invoices to the appropriate project/GL account).

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Sciences or a related field
• Minimum of 8 to 10 years' experience in testing activities for large scale projects, using outsourcing model
• Minimum or 2 to 3 years experience leading teams
• Minimum 2 to 3 years of experience in managing Test Automation processes
• Experience with resource management, financial tracking, scheduling
• Strong communications skills including the ability communication technical issues in business terms so that leadership can evaluate options and make sound decisions
• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of JIRA and ServiceNow
• Experience in managing SaaS solutions/subscriptions
• Experience in utilizing UiPath as Test Automation platform

The hiring range for this position ranges from $134,000- $190,000. The salary offered will be dependent upon candidates’ relevant skills and experience.