Test Manager (12 month Fixed Term Contract)

Job Title: Test Manager (12 month fixed term contract – until February/March 2027)
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday, 36.25 hours per week
Salary: up to £55,000 and bonus and benefits
Location: Flexible – embrace fully UK remote or hybrid work from any of our vibrant UK offices in London, Cardiff, Durham or Blackpool.

At Tandem, we're not just a bank; we're a movement for positive change. If you're an ambitious and dedicated Test Manager, ready to make an impact, we've got a space with your name on it!

Reporting to the Director of Service & Systems, the Test Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating the Test Team, including the planning, monitoring, and controlling of Test activities and tasks. This also involves the line management of several Test Team members, including Test Leads.

The Test Manager is responsible for preparing and maintaining the Organisational Test Strategies, maintaining adherence to the Testing Controls, managing Test work packages, leading on and implementing continuous improvement to testing process and controls, and building on embedded frameworks currently in place. The Test Manager is also responsible for the hiring, training, mentoring and motivating team members.

The Test Manager should be comfortable with working collaboratively with key colleagues and senior stakeholder, to support the implementation of new technologies, or upgrades to existing software. The Test Manager should be methodical and result driven, with a passion for detecting and solving problems and demonstrate project management/organisational skills.

We are Tandem - Where impact meets innovation

Tandem is the UK's greener digital bank on a bold quest to revolutionise the way we save, borrow, spend, and share – all while nurturing our planet, our people and our customers. As one of Europe’s fastest growing digital banks, our values of being Brave, Enterprising, Simple, and Together (BEST) ensure our 500-strong team collaborate to drive a brighter, greener future.

Your team: Collaborators in change

Tandem is proud to offer a workplace with diverse experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds which leads to a unique company culture for our people and a better experience for our customers.

The Test Manager role sits within the Bank’s (manual) Test Team. The Test Team is small, but diverse in terms of expertise and experience, which supports testing activities across several different business lines and platforms.

Your Impact: Building a greener tomorrow

As a Test Manager at Tandem your focus will be on:

• Line management of several team members, including regular 121’s, Objective setting, and appraisals
• The hiring of Team Members (as and when the need arises)
• Training and mentoring team members and ensuring the team are equipped to carry out their tasks
• Motivating the team to help them achieve their full potential
• Overseeing overall testing efforts, including managing test resources, creating and implementing test strategies and processes, and ensuring testing aligns with the Banks overall goals and objectives
• Maintaining adherence to the embedded Testing Controls
• Maintain embedded Testing frameworks, and identify and implement improvements in the testing processes
• Work with applicable delivery teams to plan, coordinate and deliver new or upgraded software, at the highest possible quality
• Define, produce, and maintain Organisational Test Strategies
• Analyse Test Results and key outcomes
• Produce and/or support with the Production of Test Plans and other Test Artifacts that align with the agreed Test methodology and processes
• Manage, produce and/or support with the Test Estimation process for applicable work packages
• Participate in Peer Reviews of applicable Test Artefacts produced by team members, ensuring there is consideration and documentation pertaining to risk, scale and approach
• Produce key Test Metrics to support with internal Test monitoring, and produce required periodic Stakeholder Reporting
• Produce Key Stakeholder Reports, aligning with delivery needs and defined Test Strategy and Plan
• Involvements in various stakeholder meetings
• Ensure the timely delivery of Testing milestones
• Support Live implementation activities
• ‘Hands on’ with Test Planning, Test Scope/Case Creation and Test Execution activity as required

We’d love to hear from you if you have:

• Several years practical experience within a Software Testing role and strong experience with hands-on Software Testing
• Experience working in a similar Test Manager/Test Lead role
• Demonstratable experience in planning and organisational skills, and the application to testing projects or work packages, and the work of the team
• Detailed understanding of the Software Development Lifecycle including different delivery methodologies
• Detailed working knowledge of the Software Test Lifecycle and a comprehensive understanding of the different Test Phases
• Expertise in defining Test Strategies, Test Plans and Test Execution approaches
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Experience of understanding and analysing complex business processes, complex data, and requirements
• Experience in understanding test efforts and producing Test Estimates
• Demonstratable experience in effective contribution to the management of Test activities and Test Reporting, including progress reporting and test metrics/insights
• Strong background in Stakeholder Management and engagement, ensuring effective communication and collaboration
• Experience in maintaining testing processes in line with defined Testing Controls
• A curious and proactive individual, with strong attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
• Strong logical and critical thinking skills
• IT literate and proficient in Microsoft Office packages
• Proven experience in leading, developing, and motivating team members
• Experience with planning and issue tracking tools (e.g., Jira)
• Experience with Test Planning/Management tools (e.g., Zephyr)
• Technically ‘hands-on’ as required, to ensure the smooth implementation of delivery items
• Experience in People Management including regular checking, Objective setting and defining key results

It would be great, but not essential if you have:

• ISEB/ISTQB Certified in Software Testing (Foundation Level or higher)
• IT based degree or equivalent experience
• Experience in Non Functional Testing, or have a sound awareness of Non Functional Testing and applicable techniques
• Adept at learning new systems and processes
• Testing experience within a Financial Service or Regulated environment
• Understanding of financial processes and terminology
• Strong understanding of, or experience in API Testing and API Test Tooling (e.g., Postman)
• Strong understanding of, or experience in SQL queries (MS SQL Server)
• Strong understanding of, or experience in testing web services, and working with XML files
• Strong understanding of, or experience in testing mobile applications
• Managing a Team Recruitment process

Rewards that reflect your value, what’s in it for you?

At Tandem, your hard work is rewarded in many ways and we have an enhanced employee benefits package on offer from your very first day with us:

• 25 days annual leave plus 8 days Bank Holiday
• An additional day off for a ‘celebration day’ including, but not limited to, birthdays, weddings, religious holidays, graduations etc
• Buy or sell up to 5 days holiday a year
• Healthcare cash plan through Westfield Health
• Electric Vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Cycle to Work salary sacrifice scheme and a free helmet
• Salary sacrifice Pension contribution*, 4% employee contributions matched with 4% Tandem contribution (*Subject to salary eligibility)
• Smart Tech scheme (buy goods with 0% interest)
• 10% discount on solar panels
• Tandem Hub for treats, cash back and discounts on UK retailers
• 2 days per year paid volunteering
• Free cereal, snacks and drinks in all offices
• Quarterly team social budgets

Our Green Deal: Your Impact Amplified

A little welcome gift from us to you, we’ll plant a tree in the Tandem Grove and you can enter into our “Green Deal” below:

• Volunteer 2 days a year for charity > receive an early Friday finish
• Raise £200 per annum for charity > Tandem provide PR and marketing support
• Have renewable energy at home > receive an additional 1 day annual leave
• Drive an electric car > receive £500 towards a home charger

Ready to make your mark?

Apply now and let's pave the way to a greener world, together. Our approach to DE&I is reflected in our hiring process so please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments.

Sourcing Model

Recruitment at Tandem works primarily on a direct sourcing model and does not accept resumes from recruitment agencies which are not on the preferred supplier list. We are not responsible for any related fees for resumes submitted to job postings, our employees, or any other part of our company. You can find our Applicant Privacy Policy on our Careers page.

Tandem is an equal opportunity employer and are committed to meeting our responsibilities under the Equality Act (2010). We respect the diverse experience and talents that every individual brings to our Company, and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.

Please be aware that background checking (including credit and criminal records checks) form part of our recruitment process. We will adhere to our duties under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.