Programme Test Manager

Programme Test Manager (ITSM Transformation)

Full-time

Inside IR35 contract

💰 £650 per day, inside IR35. Initial contract from ASAP through to platform go live on 19th Feb 2027 (extensions possible)

📍 Remote. There is a London office available if you want to use it, but attendance is not required

Company & role

A global IT solutions and managed services provider is midway through a large scale IT Service Management transformation, replacing its service management platform across multiple business areas in a phased, multi wave rollout. The programme is now entering its heaviest testing period, running continuously from late September through to final go live in February 2027.

They need a Programme Test Manager to own testing end to end. That means writing the SIT, UAT and OAT strategy from scratch, then leading it on the ground across the remaining waves and the internal IT phase, with the earlier phase also benefiting from the approach where bandwidth allows.

This is a single point of accountability role. You will define how testing works, coordinate testing across both the client side and the software partner, run defect management through to programme close, and report progress and risk into programme governance.

Why This Role Stands Out

You are being brought in to build the testing approach, not inherit someone else's. The strategy does not exist yet, so there is genuine scope to set the standard, then prove it across three phases and multiple waves.

It is also a rare piece of continuity. Rather than a short test management stint on one release, you carry the same programme from strategy through every wave to final go live and Hypercare, which is the part most testing leads never get to see through.

The remit is broad. You will be the testing voice in front of programme leadership, challenging the current approach, shaping governance and quality gates, and carrying real authority over test decisions.

Fully remote

Key Responsibilities

• Create and own the end to end testing strategy covering System Integration Testing, User Acceptance Testing, Operational Acceptance Testing and defect management across all remaining programme phases and deployment waves
• Rapidly assess the existing testing approach, identify gaps and risks, and implement practical improvements
• Build and maintain the integrated test plan, keeping the client side and the software partner aligned across every workstream
• Define testing scope, entry and exit criteria, governance, environments, data requirements, reporting standards and quality gates
• Lead testing execution on the ground, coordinating business, technical and supplier resources through each phase to successful sign off
• Run defect management end to end, including triage, prioritisation, escalation and resolution tracking
• Report progress, risks, dependencies and quality metrics into programme boards and senior stakeholders
• Validate service management processes, integrations, support models and operational procedures through OAT to support business readiness
• Facilitate test planning workshops, execution sessions, defect reviews and test exit reviews
• Support Hypercare after each deployment and transition testing artefacts and ownership into BAU at programme close

Ideal Experience

Essential:

• Proven track record establishing and leading testing strategies on large scale technology transformation programmes
• Experience running testing across multiple phases, workstreams and deployment waves
• Hands on leadership of SIT, UAT and OAT from planning through to exit and business sign off
• Strong defect management experience covering triage, prioritisation, escalation and resolution
• Experience working within client and supplier delivery models, coordinating internal teams alongside an external implementation partner
• Ability to assess an existing testing function quickly and improve it, rather than starting from a blank page in ideal conditions
• Credibility with senior stakeholders, including presenting risk and progress to programme boards
• Comfortable balancing strategy with hands on delivery, producing testing artefacts yourself where needed

Desirable:

• Testing experience on ITSM transformation programmes, for example ServiceNow, HaloITSM, Ivanti, Cherwell or similar
• Working knowledge of ITIL processes and service management operating models
• Experience of service transition and Hypercare
• ISTQB or equivalent testing qualification