Test Manager

We are looking for an experienced Test Manager with a strong background in data platform testing, particularly across Microsoft Fabric, Azure services, PySpark notebooks, and automated testing frameworks. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring quality and governance across data pipelines, lakehouses, and reporting layers.

This role requires a hands-on leader who can define and implement a comprehensive quality strategy for a modern, cloud-native, notebook-driven environment.

This is being offered as a Fixed Term Contract (Salaried) for 12 months. 
Location: Hybrid/remote, but our Bournemouth offices are a key location and 1-2 office visits per month.

Key Responsibilities

- Define and implement the end-to-end test strategy for Microsoft Fabric workloads (Lakehouses, Pipelines, Notebooks, Power BI).
- Lead and manage the QA effort across multiple agile teams.
- Drive the development and maintenance of automated testing for:
                1-PySpark notebooks in Fabric/Databricks
                2-Data pipelines and transformations
                3-Delta tables and lakehouse validation
- Embed testing into CI/CD pipelines (Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions).
- Ensure quality gates are enforced through all stages of the medallion architecture (bronze, silver, gold).
- Define test approaches for schema validation, data reconciliation, and business rule testing.
- Collaborate with data engineers, architects, product owners, and DevOps to deliver high-quality, scalable solutions.
- Establish reusable patterns for parameterized notebook testing and data-driven assertions.
- Own test planning, execution, environment readiness, and reporting.
- Ensure governance standards (e.g., audit, data privacy, regulatory compliance) are met.

Skills & Experience 

• Experience at Test Manager level within a major blue-chip with experience of managing large and complex projects across multiple platforms

• Experience of managing complex new system deliveries, integration and migration programmes

• Life Insurance experience, ideally across different projects and operational areas

• Superior knowledge of Jira

• A strong understanding of different development methodologies and approaches and the techniques employed to test them

• Must maintain an up-to-date view of industry standards and trends and demonstrate the ability to assess these and adapt and apply as appropriate

• Must display a strong understanding of risk-based testing techniques and approaches.

• Superior knowledge of Jira (or similar project tracking software)

• ISEB foundation level in Software Testing

• Strong knowledge of different software release methodologies and strategies

• Superior communication skills and the ability to present summary level information that is accurate and relevant

• High level presentation skills including regular presentation at Manager and Senior Manager level

• Demonstrate a history of creating and maintaining a department to team where there was a culture of providing first class service

• Demonstrate a history of creating and maintaining a department to team where there was a culture of continuous improvement backed up by processes that drive this

• Experience of managing a large department with input to budgetary modelling and responsibility for testing spend

Also
- Clear communicator with strong stakeholder engagement.
- Comfortable working in cross-functional, agile teams.
- Passionate about test automation and process improvement.
- Able to balance technical leadership with delivery timelines.

Rewards and Benefits
At LV= Life and Pensions, you’ll go above and beyond to do the right thing for our customers. We’ll reward your hard work with an attractive, competitive salary and benefits package, which includes:
• 30 days' holiday, with the option to buy up to 2 additional days
• Competitive pension scheme - LV= Life and Pensions will double-match the amount you pay, up to 14% (subject to National Minimum Wage requirements)
• An annual bonus scheme based on company and personal performance 
• Single-cover private medical insurance (with the option for you to upgrade to family cover)
• Flexible benefits, including a cycle to work scheme, personal accident insurance, critical illness cover and dental insurance
• Up to 20% discount on our life products for you and your immediate family
• A group life assurance policy with 4 x your basic pay to go to your dependents (you’ll have the option to increase to 8 x cover)
• Group Income Protection (if you become a member of the Pension scheme and reach 5 years of service)
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for support when you need it
• A virtual GP service
• Shared parental leave.

Here at LV= Life and Pensions we love to hear from great people, so don’t forget to connect with us on social media. 
We’re proudly an equal-opportunity employer and we highly value diversity and inclusivity.
We don’t discriminate on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. 
We’re also open to conversations about flexible working as part of your application - if it’s right for our customers, our business and for you, then we’ll do everything we can to make it happen.

Please note that we are unable to offer Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship for this role. Therefore, you must ensure that you are eligible to work in the UK without our sponsorship in order for your application to be considered.

Please note that any successful internal colleagues will be offered a secondment opportunity. The secondment policy is available on the intranet for internal colleagues.