SMRC Test Lead

SMCR Lead Tester

Contract  |  Inside IR35  |  London (Hybrid)

We are looking for a Test Lead to take ownership of testing on a major SMCR regulatory change programme for a leading financial services client. This is a contract engagement, Inside IR35, paying £300 per day, based in London with a minimum of 50% office attendance.

About the Client

Morela is proud to be supporting a well-established change and transformation consultancy that partners with major financial services organisations on complex regulatory and business change. The consultancy is known for its people-led approach to change, helping clients land new ways of working that genuinely stick rather than simply delivering projects.

This engagement sits within a regulatory change programme focused on the Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SMCR), with the consultancy building out a dedicated testing capability to take the programme safely through to go-live and operational readiness.

The Role

As SMCR Lead Tester you will develop and manage the Test Strategy, governance framework and future testing approach for the programme. You will lead SIT, UAT and Operational Proving, coordinating testing across business, technology, suppliers and dependent work streams.

This role combines strategic test leadership with hands-on testing where required. The client is particularly keen on people who bring genuine change management expertise and experience of complex financial services or regulatory transformation, rather than a project or programme management background.

Responsibilities

Develop and own the Test Strategy, Test Plans and Test Operating Model for the programme
Lead SIT, UAT and Operational Proving from planning through to sign-off
Coordinate testing across multiple delivery teams, suppliers and business functions
Establish testing governance, quality assurance and reporting, keeping senior stakeholders informed and confident
Define test environment, test data and tooling requirements
Run defect management, triage, resolution and re-testing
Get hands-on with testing where the programme needs it
Support go-live readiness and operational acceptance

Essential Requirements

Extensive experience leading testing across large-scale business and technology change programmes
Proven experience developing Test Strategies, Test Plans and Test Operating Models
Strong hands-on SIT, UAT and Operational Proving experience
Experience coordinating testing across multiple delivery teams, suppliers and business functions
Strong defect management, triage, resolution and re-testing experience
Strong testing governance, quality assurance and reporting capability
Experience defining test environments, data requirements and tooling approaches
Strong senior stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
Experience supporting go-live readiness and operational acceptance

Desirable Experience

Financial services regulatory experience (SMCR exposure a real plus) or other regulatory change experience
Background in complex financial services transformation

Working Environment

Contract role, Inside IR35
Hybrid, with a minimum of 50% attendance at the London office
Close collaboration with business users, SMEs, technology teams and third-party suppliers
A regulatory change environment where quality, governance and clear evidence really matter
Interested? Get in touch with Adam Moore at  with your CV and current availability