Contract Test Lead

Job Title: Contract Test Lead - Pensions Transformation Location: Leeds / Hybrid Duration: 6 months Day Rate: Outside IR35 Why Apply? Looking for a Test Lead contract you can get straight into? A well-established UK pensions provider is in the middle of a major transformation programme. They need an experienced contract Test Lead to take charge of day-to-day testing and keep delivery audit-ready from day one. You'll report to the Test Manager and lead testing across internal teams and third-party suppliers. It's a high-visibility contract where your experience in regulated environments is what the client is paying for. Must have recent experience in one of the following industries Pension industry Financial industry Insurance industry Responsibilities Lead the planning, coordination, execution and reporting of testing across the transformation programme Oversee SIT, UAT, regression, end-to-end, performance and operational readiness testing Coordinate and assure third-party testing suppliers, escalating risks, issues and deviations Maintain an audit-ready testing approach that meets regulatory, security and compliance requirements Produce test plans, schedules, resource plans and quality gates Run defect triage, making sure defects are prioritised, tracked and resolved on time Provide assurance on OAT and non-functional testing, including performance, security and penetration testing Ensure test coverage across pensions administration systems, digital platforms, data migration and regulatory reporting Recommend improvements to automation, shift-left practices and CI/CD integration Give stakeholders clear reporting on progress, quality metrics, risks and defects Guide and coordinate the testing team day to day Requirements Proven track record as a Test Lead in financial services, such as pensions, insurance, banking or another regulated environment End-to-end testing experience on complex transformation programmes Knowledge of pensions administration systems and processes Strong skills in test planning, defect management, risk assessment and stakeholder engagement Hands-on experience with Azure DevOps or similar Technical testing experience, including API and integration, mobile, data validation and reconciliation, and performance/load testing Experience managing third-party testing suppliers ISTQB Foundation (or equivalent) Available at short notice We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.