IT Software Tester

Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen at Keystone Property Finance for a highly motivated individual with exceptional analytical and written communication skills to join our IT team. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring that the quality of software developed meets the business's needs and functions as expected.

The ideal candidate will have experience in manual software testing, test planning, test case creation, defect management, and regression testing. They will be an effective communicator and team player, possess a natural curiosity with the ability to work independently, be ambitious for personal development and learning, be proactive and efficient, and have strong interpersonal skills.

Experience working within Agile software delivery environments would be advantageous. A recognised software testing qualification, such as the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) or an equivalent BCS/ISTQB software testing certification, would be highly desirable, however is not required.

This role is predominantly office-based, with one day working from home per week after probation.

Key Responsibilities

• Reading and understanding User Stories and Technical Design Documents.

• Identify the test scope, create test plans and test cases.

• Execute test cases, document defects and liaise with developers.

• Liaise with the Line Manager, escalating any specific areas for discussion or resolution, and making suggestions for improvement.

• Use clear communication to liaise with colleagues to understand the specifics surrounding identified issues.

• Have meticulous attention to detail with an ability to work methodically.

• Work closely with Developers, Business Analysts, and Stakeholders to ensure high-quality, on-time delivery.

• Identify areas where process and service improvements can be made and develop recommendations.

• Answer queries raised during User Acceptance Testing (UAT).

• Ensure that project administration is carried out to a high standard to ensure projects are always kept up to date.

• Out-of-hours implementation testing is expected once a week. Out-of-hours time is recorded and given back.

Key Skills / Competencies

Adaptability & Flexibility

• Strong analytical skills and a logical approach to problem solving.

• High attention to detail.

• Adaptability and resilience to changing circumstances and acting in a manner that facilitates the change process.

Cooperation and Teamwork

• Participates as a team member acting with integrity, creating effective and professional working relationships with colleagues.

• Co-operates openly and honestly with colleagues and participates in team activities, sharing experiences and ideas.

• Assists other teams and team members when necessary.

Monitoring and Controlling Progress

• Actively monitors progress of day-to-day work and acts to achieve targets.

• Provides feedback to senior management on any potential problems.

Knowledge of Process

• High competence in Microsoft Office Programmes.

• Experience in the creation of test plans, test cases, test execution, defect management, regression testing, and testing documentation.

• Good understanding of Software Development Lifecycles (SDLC) and software testing methodologies.

• Experience working within Agile and/or Scrum delivery environments would be beneficial.

• Experience supporting User Acceptance Testing (UAT).

• Knowledge of test management and defect tracking tools would be beneficial.

• ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL), BCS Foundation Certificate in Software Testing, or an equivalent recognised software testing qualification would be highly desirable.

• Knowledge of the mortgage process would be beneficial.

• Experience with ClickUp would be beneficial.

• Experience in SQL would be beneficial.

Communication

• Takes on board feedback from the business and communicates feedback to the manager where required.

• Possesses strong communication skills and can effectively engage with individuals at all levels of the organisation, adapting communication style and approach to accommodate different personalities and preferences.

• Communicates facts and concepts so they can be easily interpreted and understood by others.

• Maintains a balanced approach when sharing information, providing enough detail to ensure clarity and understanding without overwhelming the recipient.

• Balances the amount and level of information provided and conveys key issues in an appropriate order.

• Communicates in plain English, speaking clearly and fluently, and uses correct grammar in all written work with attention to detail.

• Listens to instructions and passes on information as directed.

Planning Own Work

• Establishes a daily course of action to accomplish day-to-day work targets.

• Is aware of the team's priorities, targets, and objectives and plans own work accordingly.

• Is realistic with timescales.

Keystone's Values

Our values help define who we are as Keystone Property Finance. They come from the beliefs we hold, the way we behave, and how we want to work together for our customers. A successful candidate will demonstrate all these values:

• Resilience: Determination in our approach and perseverance.

• Adaptability: Embracing change and adapting our communication style to others.

• Integrity: Always doing the right thing and always with honesty.

• Excellence: Achieved through continuous improvement and as a natural result of committing to our shared values.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Proven experience in software testing, particularly manual testing.

• Experience creating test plans, test cases, and defect reports.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently.

• Experience working within Agile environments.

• ISTQB CTFL, BCS Foundation Certificate in Software Testing, or equivalent testing qualification highly desirable.

• Experience within financial services, mortgage lending, or regulated environments would be advantageous.