Program Test Manager

Job Description – Test Manager (Major Transformation Program)

Location:
Melbourne (CBD Fringe)

Engagement:
Contract (3–12 months initial, with potential 12–24 month runway)

Start Date:
ASAP / Early January

Work Model:
4 days on-site, 1 day WFH

Overview

Our client is a large national organisation undergoing several major digital and systems transformation initiatives across multiple business units. As part of this uplift, they are seeking a highly experienced
Test Manager
to lead the testing workstream for a significant multi-year transformation program involving core operational systems, multiple integration points and a complex change landscape.

The role sits within the Technology division and will partner closely with senior leaders, delivery teams and business stakeholders across two states.

Role Purpose

The Test Manager will take ownership of the end-to-end testing lifecycle for a major program replacing legacy operational systems with modern enterprise platforms. This role requires a confident leader with exceptional communication skills, strong planning capability and extensive experience managing large-scale, integration-heavy testing environments.

Key Responsibilities

Test Delivery & Governance

• Lead and manage the complete testing lifecycle across:
• System Testing
• System Integration Testing
• Non-Functional Testing
• Data Migration Testing
• User Acceptance Testing
• Manage multiple test cycles within a hybrid Agile / staged delivery approach.
• Oversee the creation, review and execution of test plans, test cases and schedules.
• Maintain testing traceability and ensure quality standards are met.

Team Leadership

• Manage a growing team of testers (currently ~5–6, expanding over time).
• Plan and forecast workload across daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly horizons.
• Provide guidance, structure and day-to-day leadership to the team.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the primary testing representative to senior program stakeholders across multiple locations.
• Communicate complex technical information clearly and confidently, including risks, dependencies, timelines and environment considerations.
• Prepare concise executive-ready reporting (1–2 page slide summaries).
• Build strong on-site relationships—role requires a high degree of face-to-face interaction.

Automation Alignment

• Engage with automation specialists to support uplift of regression suites.
• Identify test cases suitable for automation and contribute to a long-term automation strategy.
• Support automation across multiple streams such as mobile, finance and operational systems.

Tooling & Process

• Use industry-standard test management tools (e.g., Azure DevOps or equivalent) for planning, execution and reporting.
• Support environment readiness, integration sequencing and defect management.
• Promote continuous improvement across testing practices and ways of working.

Program Context

• Multi-year enterprise transformation modernising critical operational systems.
• Large volume of functionality with
  hundreds of user stories
  and a projected pipeline exceeding 1,000.
• Heavy integration footprint with
  50–60+ system interfaces
  spanning customer, operational, supply chain and reporting systems.
• Test preparation is well underway, with several hundred test cases already developed and initial integration components available for testing.

Required Skills & Experience

Essential

• 10+ years in testing, including 5+ years in a senior Test Manager role.
• Demonstrated experience leading testing for large transformation programs with extensive integration.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong planning, structuring and prioritisation capability.
• Proven ability to manage and grow medium-sized testing teams.
• Experience with enterprise test management tooling (e.g., Azure DevOps).
• Ability to work predominantly on-site (minimum 4 days per week).

Desirable

• Experience with CRM, ERP or workflow/operations systems.
• Exposure to middleware/integration platforms.
• Understanding of automation frameworks or working alongside automation engineers.
• Experience in hybrid Agile delivery environments.

Work Environment

• Melbourne-based role requiring high physical presence to build relationships and maintain alignment with business and technical teams.
• Fast-paced delivery environment spanning interstate stakeholders.
• Long transformation runway offering strong contract continuation potential.

Why This Role

• Opportunity to lead testing across one of the organisation's largest strategic investments.
• High visibility and influence with senior leadership.
• Ability to shape testing strategy and uplift across multiple programs.
• Joining a delivery team committed to quality and modernisation.