QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of hands-on testing experience, including at least 3 years in a Test Management role.
• Demonstrated experience managing testing across complex IT landscapes – including enterprise applications, infrastructure upgrades/migrations, and data platforms
• Strong working knowledge of both functional and non-functional testing (e.g., performance, security, disaster recovery).
• Experience with multi-vendor and third-party delivery models.
• Solid understanding of Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid delivery methodologies.
• Familiarity with automated testing tools and frameworks (e.g., Selenium, JMeter, Postman) and CI/CD pipelines
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills with the ability to influence technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong leadership and team management skills; capable of motivating and organising teams under pressure.
• Analytical and detail-oriented mindset with a strong focus on quality and risk mitigation.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and delivery streams concurrently.
• Confident in test estimation, planning, scheduling, and resource forecasting.

ROLE OVERVIEW

Calmac Ferries Limited (CFL) is a ferries and port operations business with 1,800 staff and turnover of more than £350m. We operate 33 ferries across 31 routes and 50 ports, carrying 5 million passengers and 1 million vehicles each year.
CFL are seeking an experienced Test Manager to lead and coordinate quality assurance activities across a diverse and complex IT estate. This role will be responsible for overseeing the end-to-end testing lifecycle across applications, infrastructure, and data platforms to ensure the successful delivery of high-quality IT solutions. Operating client-side within a broader delivery programme, the Test Manager will manage a team of client-side test analysts and external test partners collaborating closely with internal stakeholders, third-party suppliers, and delivery partners.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Define and maintain a comprehensive test strategy and test plans across all IT delivery areas, including application development, infrastructure changes, and data integrations.
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of client-side test analysts ensuring clarity of roles, responsibilities, and expectations.
• Identify and manage test partners to assist in meeting demand for testing
• Drive continuous improvement and use of automated testing to improve scope of testing and shortened cycle times
• Oversee test preparation, execution, defect management, and test reporting activities across multiple projects and releases.
• Establish test governance processes and quality gates in collaboration with project and programme management teams.
• Work with test partners and third-party vendors to review and align their testing approaches, ensuring integration with the overall test strategy.
• Manage test environments and test data preparation activities.
• Define and track quality metrics and KPIs to assess release readiness and ensure continuous improvement.
• Provide testing management information and progress updates to key stakeholders
• Act as the point of escalation for all testing-related issues and risks, and support timely resolution of blockers
• Ensure compliance with organisational standards, industry good practices, and regulatory requirements relevant to quality assurance and software testing