Software Test Team Lead

As the Test Team Lead, you'll thrive on ensuring your team performs their best to make our inhouse software as bug free as possible. You'll optimise our testing processes making sure as much automation is achieved as feasible., As our next Test Team Lead you'll work on a range of technical cloud based projects delivering services to the citizens of Leeds. You will develop the teams capabilities to deliver automated testing processes against new technologies in line with our cloud adoption strategy. It is envisioned that this will include developing a whole new aspect of testing practices as we implement MS Dynamics and orient the team to be more platform focused. The role is integral to our DevOps team where you will work alongside others with a range of skills to deliver on agile projects., Leeds City Council is on a journey to the cloud and is investing in new technologies and people. As part of that journey, we need a Team Leader to head up our in-house software testers. The successful candidate will be expected to grow and develop the team in line with Leeds business needs. The right individual will have a blend of managerial and technical development skills, knowledge and experience, The role will include responsibility for the following:

• Technical development and training of the staff working on the team.
• To maintain a professional testing and support function.
• Ensuring adoption of best testing practices standards and their application to all developments.
• Liaising and building relationships with business partners, technical teams and 3rd party organisations to ensure smooth provision and maintenance of service and the successful deployment of solutions into the live operational environment.
• Undertake regular reviews of the team's performance and processes.
• To assist in the development and implementation of application lifecycle management patterns and practices.
• Provide resource cost estimations and quotes for project work.
• Preparation of all appropriate project test documentation including a test plan and progress reports
• This list is not exhaustive, other areas or responsibility and growth will emerge as Leeds continues its journey of technical change. Multi cloud adoption will feature as part of this journey and as such the successful candidate will need knowledge and experience in this area., Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee's responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
  
  As the Test Team Lead you will bring to the role:
• Experience of managing a professional testing and support team.
• A commitment to adopt the best testing practices and standards and apply them to all developments.
• An in-depth knowledge and experience of testing concepts and fundamentals including black and white box testing, regression, performance, load, and accessibility testing, as well as automation and manual styles.
• Effective application of testing fundamentals and principles to ensure efficient bug detection and reporting, and to ensure quality in developed products.
• A Focus on continuous learning and development for self, others and the organisation as a whole., ISTQB Foundation Certification or similar desirable.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements. Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview or Certificate. Skills Required These are defined as 'Skill' - 'Description' - 'What is required for the post' Communication - Verbal, technical, reporting, stand-ups, face to face, etc - must be able to communicate effectively across a range of individuals ranging from technical, business, citizen and political. Management - duties such as 121's, performance management, timekeeping, sickness, appraisals, objective setting - understands and performs these effectively. Testing Automation - producing and maintaining automated testing processes - familiar with tools and processes to automate test processes and minimise manual effort. Knowledge Required These are defined as 'Knowledge' - 'Description'. - 'What is required for the post' Testing Concepts - In depth knowledge and experience of testing concepts and fundamentals including black and white box testing, regression, performance, load, and accessibility testing, as well as automation and manual styles. - Effective application of testing fundamentals and principles to ensure efficient bug detection and reporting, and to ensure quality in developed products. Modern standards approach - Fundamental knowledge of modern coding and delivery standards, for example, agile, CI/CD pipeline delivery, automation frameworks, AI, RPA. - Understands key principles of modern standards approaches and how they apply to the work they are undertaking. Cloud concepts - Familiar with Azure and AWS cloud concepts. - Understands associated tools and concepts and can work with them effectively. Experience Required The format is 'Experience' - 'Description'. - 'What is required for the post' Project/BAU Leadership - support and oversight of self-organising teams of testers, business users and third parties to effectively deliver projects - Will maintain, resource and manage priorities within these projects. Service Support - Maintains and supports services. - Monitors teams' effectiveness at supporting services, intervenes when appropriate, ensures team deals with issues in a timely manner. Prototyping/MVPs - testing of prototypes or MVP in line with business requirements - Able to apply team's technical knowledge and experience to test workable prototypes and MVPs. Behavioural & other Characteristics required Planning and organising - Ensures effective management of own time management and test team members. Communicating and influencing - Communicates purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respects the needs, responses and opinions of others. Working with Others - Forms effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support. Managing a Quality Service for the Customer / Citizen - Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, tackling problems and taking effective steps to address them. Process Improvement and Change - Seeks out opportunities to create effective change and suggest innovative ideas for process improvement. Review ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback. Making Effective Decisions - Use experience, knowledge, and evidence to make informed decisions and provide expert advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications, and risks of decisions. Developing Self and Others - Focus on continuous learning and development for self, others and the organisation as a whole. Leadership - Show pride and passion for public service. Engage others in delivering a shared vision. Strategic View - Understands how own role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Delivering at Pace - Takes responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive. DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role. Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates. Skills These are defined as 'Skill' - 'Description' - 'What is required for the post' Programming Concepts - Fundamental knowledge of concepts such as OOP, inheritance, classes, libraries, Git Repos and applying them effectively - Understands the fundamental concepts and applies them effectively. Knowledge The format is 'Knowledge' - 'Description'. - 'What is required for the post' Project Management Concepts - Covering concepts such as risk management, Gantt charts, PIDs. - Aware of Project Management Concepts. Experience The format is 'Experience' - 'Description'. - 'What is required for the post' UX & UI Design - The design and interaction specialism required to ensure high levels of usability, accessibility and optimal user journeys in the development of user-facing features. - Comfortable with the fundamentals behind UX & UI design to the point of being able to critique existing and/or apply to new products. Wire-framing - Covering concepts such as space allocation, content prioritisation, functionality and user behaviour. - Aware of these concepts and working to understand them fully.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.


• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further