Program Test Manager

Planit is now a proud NRI company and part of a global movement to deliver a sustainable and secure future through better Information Technology exchanges. Our team offer expert consultancy, bespoke services, tailored training and unique solutions to complex projects. Specialising in digital quality, Planit have a geographic footprint across many continents, with 1700+ permanent employees and have been recognised in Gartner's Magic Quadrant for Application Testing Services.

Our values and ethos are focused on an intrinsic connection to our people, the awareness of our environment and our pursuit to be better than yesterday. We continue to lead the industry with unrivalled ideas, ability, and a quest to discern paradigms.

**NOTE: Newcastle location - must be local or prepared to travel daily**

**About the Role**:
We are looking for a Program Test Manager to join our growing team and lead the testing function for a major cloud migration program with a leading institution. This strategic role will sit within the program leadership team, overseeing testing across multiple workstreams. You’ll define and implement robust testing strategies and lead cross-functional teams to ensure the successful delivery of high-quality software and platform solutions.

You will bring deep experience in quality assurance leadership, managing diverse teams, and delivering testing outcomes across large-scale transformation programs, ideally within the banking and financial services sector.

**Responsibilities**:

- Develop and implement a comprehensive test strategy aligned with the program’s business and operational goals
- Lead and manage cross-functional test teams across multiple workstreams
- Establish and oversee end-to-end testing processes including planning, test case design, execution, reporting, and defect lifecycle management
- Drive test automation adoption to optimise quality outcomes and reduce manual effort
- Ensure delivery of high-quality outcomes through functional, integration, performance and security testing
- Mitigate testing risk by identifying dependencies, constraints, and blockers across environments, tools, and timelines
- Act as a trusted partner for business, technical and program stakeholders, delivering updates, managing expectations, and leading resolution conversationsChampion continuous improvement through retrospectives, test process reviews, and quality engineering practice uplift

**Essential Skills and Experience**:

- 10+ years in software testing, with 5+ years in senior or program-level leadership roles
- Demonstrated success managing testing for enterprise-level cloud transformation programs
- Experience working within large financial institutions, preferably in banking
- Strong understanding of software development methodologies such as Agile, Waterfall, and Hybrid
- Knowledge and hands-on leadership across a range of testing types including functional, non-functional, performance, and security
- Familiarity with test automation tools such as Selenium, JMeter, or similar frameworks
- Effective stakeholder management and reporting at program and executive levels
- Experienced integrating and managing multiple test teams across diverse technologies and domains
- Knowledge of financial regulatory and compliance requirementsExcellent verbal and written communication skills

**Culture and Benefits**:
We believe in fostering a culture where our people are rewarded for the work they do and looked after from their first day at Planit With us you'll experience:

- Opportunities to grow your skills vertically and horizontally taking advantage of a world class training and development programme.
- True flexible working initiatives
- Joining an organisation where innovation is at the heart of what we do.
- Career development initiatives in place so you can be your best self.
- Wellness activities, staff discounts, free LinkedIn Learning licences, referral bonuses, car leasing options and much more

If you believe that this role is for you APPLY TODAY

Planit is an equal opportunity employer.