QA Team Lead

Job Introduction

The UK Technology department (UKT) is responsible for operating and maintaining the Bank’s systems and infrastructure, ensuring it is reliably available for customers and colleagues alike. Currently, the Bank is part way through a multi-year transformation programme to modernise the Bank’s systems and infrastructure that is intended to support an improved customer & colleague experience and reduce IT risks. 

We are looking for a Lead Test Analyst, in support of our modernisation efforts, to drive forward the test strategy, including the automation testing of key development work streams. The role holder will be responsible for mentoring and managing a team of Test Analysts who are responsible for executing the testing of a catalogue of new features. They will also work collaboratively with UK and Swedish development teams, whilst focusing on the timely delivery of agreed outcomes that meet both business and customer needs. The role offers challenges like:

• Ensuring that the team uses test techniques aligned with the enterprise test strategy
• Optimising automated testing for our development teams to enable increased efficiency and effectiveness
• Supporting the testing required during the multi-year migration from old to new platforms in a secure, controlled manner

As the UK Bank adopts modern ways of working, it is also important that the successful candidate is familiar with Agile concepts and has proven experience of working in one or more Agile methodologies/frameworks. Digital solutions should be delivered iteratively, through a continuous, prioritised approach, enabling accelerated time to market and the early realisation of value.

This is an exciting time for Handelsbanken UK, and this role presents a significant opportunity that will enable the chosen candidate to play a key part in the UK Bank’s digital transformation journey, whilst also making a real difference to the needs and experience of its customers. 

Main Responsibilities 

• Be an advocate of Quality Assurance, Continuous Improvement and industry recognised best practices.
• Define and maintain QA strategy, approach, and execution for the team that you manage and align with enterprise test strategy
• Ensure that the teams adhere to the principles, guidelines and best practices of the QA strategy as defined
• Lead and direct the Test Analysts to work effectively in multi-disciplinary Agile teams
• Be accountable for test automation within projects, mentor and provide leadership to the Test Analysts
• Establish a multi-layered test automation approach with minimal duplication of test coverage across layers, to facilitate fast feedback and reliable deployments
• Establish a culture of collaboration between different Agile disciplines within the team and implement a shift left approach to quality assurance with Product Owners, Business Analysts, Developers and other disciplines
• Support the transition of QA processes as part of the bank’s modernisation journey including mentoring new and existing teams
• Work with HR team, Talent acquisition partners and other QA managers to ensure that hiring process is well supported and continuously improved as appropriate.
• Participate in interviews, induction, training, line management and performance evaluation of direct reports
• Monitor all QA activities / results / defects / root cause analyses, identify areas of improvement and implement process improvements within the teams you manage
• Gather and present testing metrics and testing activities for the projects to key stakeholders
• Ensure the optimum usage of available tools to gain the maximum benefit of the QA effort, including tools for functional and non-functional assurance
• Manage training and continuous learning of QA staff by means of short courses, conferences, meetups, certifications, etc.
• Collaborate with the relevant team members to understand the scope of the projects and help clarify business requirements/acceptance criteria
• Manage stakeholder engagement across the various departments to ensure that products are delivered as per business requirements
• Be accountable for effective governance and compliance with relevant controls

Ideal Candidate

Research (by Harvard University) shows that women are particularly likely to second guess themselves and not apply - so if you are worried you don't meet all the criteria, get in touch anyhow and let us do the worrying…

• Be a strong leader with experience in implementing and shaping the company’s QA processes and strategies
• Strong technical skills, both functional and non-functional, manual and automation, ideally in a continuous delivery environment
• Strong stakeholder and conflict management skills
• Excellent knowledge and experience of Risk Management, Risk Identification and Risk Based Testing
• Experience in managing test teams delivering large and complex programmes.
• Flexible with the ability to work under pressure
• Able to motivate a team, recognise good talent and bring out the best out of each individual
• Experience in implementing effective automation test strategies to facilitate fast feedback and deployments

• Experience in legacy IBMi (IBIS) platforms and related tools including MDCMS, SQL etc (highly desirable)
• Experience in managing testing of lending products (loans, mortgages, risk & collateral) & GL (highly desirable)

• Experience in being part of modernisation and digital transformation programmes (highly desirable)
• Experience in test estimation, test planning, test designing, test progress and test completion reporting
• Experience in working with CI/CD tools like Jenkins/TeamCity and related build deployment processes
• Experience in working in Agile methodologies such as Scrum or Kanban and contributing to the Agile ceremonies

• Knowledge of all areas of the testing life cycle (systems testing, SIT, regression testing, UAT)
• Experience in defect management and root cause analysis
• Experience in regulated environments, working with InfoSec and Architecture to ensures adherence to the Bank's Risk Management framework and relevant risk and compliance policies and procedures, ensuring timely and appropriate escalation of concerns to relevant stakeholders

• Proven understanding of setting up test environments in highly complex technical environments
• Strong understanding of non-functional testing
• Experience in performance testing using Gatling/Jmeter (desirable)
• Experience of working in core banking is highly regarded but not essential

• Experience of working in Digital projects i.e., Online and Mobile Banking (desirable)

• Good time management skills and ability to meet targets and fulfil agreements
• Experience in distributed version control systems (Bitbucket, Git)
• Hands on automation testing experience with Java, Selenium, RestAssured (highly desirable) 
• Experience in contract testing with tools like Pact (highly desirable)

• Proficient in User Story authoring and defining acceptance criteria

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• The ability to build effective networks with stakeholders, both internally and externally.

Company Information

Handelsbanken is a relationship bank with a decentralised way of working, a strong local presence thanks to a nationwide network of branches, and a long-term approach to customer relations. Each Handelsbanken branch operates as a local business enabling it to make decisions at a local level and provide a bespoke service. The focus is always on the need of the individual customer and not on the sale of specific products. 

We are embarking on an exciting Business Transformation journey. This transformation will significantly enhance our technology system systems, processes and services, bringing evolution to our ways of working. Join us in this transformative journey, where your dedication, adaptability and commitment will play a crucial role in shaping the future of banking for our valued customers. 

The Bank is deeply committed to embedding good equality and diversity practice into all of our activities. This is so that we are an inclusive, welcoming and inspiring place to work that encourages everyone to apply, regardless of socio-economic background, age, disability, pregnancy and/or parental status, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), veteran status, marital and civil partnership status, religion or belief, sex, gender reassignment or sexual orientation. 

Check our Handelsbanken website for further information

At Handelsbanken, we deeply value our unique culture and values including trust in and respect for each individual. We take pride in nurturing a work environment where people flourish, and where they are empowered to take decisions in their areas of expertise. We take a long term perspective in everything we do and want each employee who joins us to build a long terms successful career with the Bank.  

What is in it for you?

• We have a wide range of learning and development available, empowering and enabling our colleagues to take ownership of their own development. 
• Competitive Salary and an extensive range of benefits is provided, including private medical insurance, income protection and life assurance
• A market-leading pension contribution of 15% paid by the bank, which can be invested in a wide range of funds (including ESG and Shariah funds)

Application next steps

Your journey with us begins once you have submitted your application. One of our Handelsbanken recruiters will be reviewing your details and will later organise a phone conversation if you match the role requirements. If there is a mutual fit, we will extend an invitation for you to participate in an interview.   

How can we support you to be your best self? Our Talent Acquisition team will be happy to provide support e.g. if you need additional time to prepare for an interview or you have any requirements for any part of the interview/hiring process – just let us know by email uk_talent@careers.handelsbanken.co.uk. 

This advert will be live for a minimum of two weeks. However, please note that after the two weeks, the closing date could change at any time depending on the number of responses received.