Development Manager

Our client, is seeking an experienced, delivery-focused Delivery Manager / Test Manager to join their specialized technology hub on a long-term contract.
In this dual-impact role, you will bridge the gap between operational delivery management and technical QA governance. On one side, you will drive operational efficiency by streamlining delivery rhythms, managing team capacity, and establishing structured processes using modern tracking tools and data-driven dashboards. On the other side, you will lead end-to-end testing strategies for complex software requirements across highly integrated backend ecosystems.

This position requires a hands-on leader who can architect test automation frameworks, enforce strict entry/exit criteria, manage audit-ready compliance pathways, and act as the central communication pivot for cross-functional engineering squads.
Duration: 12-Month Contract
Core Focus:
Delivery Management, Test Governance, UI & API Automation, Cross-System QA Coordination, and Capacity Analytics
Methodology:
Agile / Scrum
Advantages  Strategic Dual-Domain Impact:
Gain high-visibility exposure by managing both operational delivery metrics and enterprise quality assurance pipelines.
Modern Test Automation Tech Stack:
Influence technical testing strategies within a mature environment leveraging Java, Selenium, Rest Assured, and modern CI/CD tools.
Complex Enterprise Ecosystem:
Deepen your professional portfolio by orchestrating validation runs across critical high-volume platforms, payment channels, and vendor integrations.
Long-Term Contract Stability:
Establish a secure foundation with a 12-month commitment within an innovative, collaborative financial technology division.
Responsibilities  Delivery Management & Operational Efficiency  Workflow Optimization:
Drive consistent team delivery rhythms, establish structured processes, and eliminate operational roadblocks using Jira, MS Project, and Microsoft tools.
Data-Driven Diagnostics:
Leverage SQL, Excel, and Power BI to analyze capacity planning, track resource allocations, and deliver high-fidelity performance and cost transparency reports to leadership.
Tech Hub Enhancement:
Identify and implement process improvements based on quantitative metrics and qualitative observation, allowing developers to focus heavily on product delivery.
Test Governance, Strategy & Execution  Quality Assurance Standards:
Establish and enforce unified test governance, test planning, and compliance structures, ensuring all test evidence and formal sign-offs meet strict internal and external audit requirements.
System Entry/Exit Gatekeeping:
Enforce strict entry/exit criteria and testing baseline standards across multiple interdependent technology systems.
Hands-on Automation Strategy:
Design, build, and maintain robust test automation frameworks. Coordinate and execute automated test suites across applicable test cycles (Smoke, SIT, Regression, etc.).
Cross-System Coordination & Stakeholder Engagement  Ecosystem Test Coordination:
Coordinate comprehensive end-to-end (E2E) testing across complex platforms, including core systems, transactional workflows, and third-party vendor applications.
Dependency & Release Management:
Actively align test cycles (Feature, SIT, UAT, Regression, Production Validation) with wider corporate release schedules and change management protocols.
Strategic Communication & Triage:
Act as the central point of contact between testers, developers, business leads, and IT executives. Facilitate defect triage sessions, resolve team escalations, and guide go/no-go readiness decisions.
Qualifications

Experience:

Minimum 8+ years of progressive professional experience in software testing, test management, or technical delivery management roles.
Test Automation Expertise  Proven, hands-on experience designing and executing UI and API test automation scripts utilizing Java, Selenium, and Rest Assured.
CI/CD & Version Control  Functional experience managing automated pipeline triggers and repositories leveraging Jenkins, Git Hub, and/or Bitbucket.
Data Analysis & Tracking Toolset  Strong technical proficiency using SQL to query databases, coupled with data visualization capabilities in Power BI and Advanced Excel.
Project Management Tools  Fluent working knowledge of Jira, Confluence, and MS Project to govern backlogs, timeline dependencies, and baseline charts.
Methodology Alignment  Comprehensive understanding of Agile/Scrum delivery models with active participation in standard Agile…