Job Introduction
Test Manager
Location: Lincoln / Hybrid | Salary: £50,788 - £58,188 | Closing date: August 10th
Interview date: w/c Tuesday August 26th - September 5th
Set the standard for quality in one of the UK’s most ambitious local digital transformations.
Lincolnshire County Council is investing in a modern, agile digital environment - and we're looking for a confident and capable Test Manager to lead our quality assurance strategy. If you're experienced in test leadership, thrive in agile and DevOps teams, and want to help shape services that reach thousands across Lincolnshire, this is the role for you.
About the Role
You’ll report directly to the Head of Strategy, Architecture and Product, and will be responsible for leading the council’s testing function across a range of agile delivery teams. These teams combine internal talent and supplier-led resources and are tasked with delivering scalable, resilient solutions that meet both business need and public expectation.
You’ll define our testing strategy, guide the use of automation, assure supplier quality, and ensure compliance with frameworks like GDAD, WCAG and NIST. You’ll work across multiple platforms including Microsoft Fabric, Power Platform, and ESRI ArcGIS, embedding best practice from development to deployment.
What You’ll Be Doing
Designing and embedding a test strategy aligned to agile and DevOps environments
Leading the QA approach across internal and supplier-led product teams
Driving test automation within CI/CD pipelines
Assuring supplier test plans and performance against contractual requirements
Overseeing UAT, parallel testing, and user feedback validation
Working with cybersecurity teams to ensure secure-by-design development
Leading performance and resilience testing across hybrid infrastructure
Ensuring quality across data integration, cross-platform compatibility, and accessibility standards
Promoting a quality-first, automation-enabled delivery culture
Providing defect triage, test reporting, and clear insights to senior stakeholders
About You
You’re already experienced in test management and are ready to shape QA culture and practice across a large organisation.
You’ll bring:
A proven background in defining and leading test strategy in agile environments
Strong experience with automated testing, performance/security testing, and UAT
Experience working across CI/CD pipelines and hybrid cloud infrastructure
Familiarity with Microsoft Fabric, Power Platform, and enterprise integration
The ability to assure and guide third-party suppliers
A collaborative approach, able to work with architects, product teams, and business leaders
Excellent analytical, reporting, and stakeholder communication skills
Relevant certifications in ISTQB, DevOps, Agile or similar frameworks are desirable, but not essential if you can demonstrate deep practical expertise.
Why Join Us?
Lead quality assurance for digital services that impact 750,000+ people
Work in a values-led council with a clear digital strategy
Hybrid working with flexibility and work–life balance
Join a supportive, ambitious architecture and delivery function
Access professional development, BCS membership, and industry networking
Interested in shaping digital assurance for public good?
Click apply or contact James Randall at james.randall@lincolnshire.gov.uk for an informal conversation.
Please read the job information pack before applying.
This role is based in Lincoln with hybrid working arrangements.
Previous applicants need not apply
On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward.
We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.
Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
A Smarter Working Employer
We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary. Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.
Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.
Attached documents
