We are looking for a Test Lead to join our IT team on a 6-month FTC. Covéa Insurance offer a wide range of home, motor and commercial insurance backed by our award-winning customer service. Our purpose is to “help protect people against the worst happening and put it right if it does". It’s the reason we are here, and it’s the task we all focus on every day. The IT team play a key role in helping Covéa Insurance to achieve their overall business strategy and plan. The Test Lead will operate as part of a multi-disciplinary delivery centre. They will follow test best practices and contribute towards continuously improving the processes, standards and tools used for quality assurance. The Test Lead will be responsible for managing and coordinating test activities whilst also providing line management, training, and mentoring for a team of QA Test Analysts. The role is a hybrid role, therefore will involve a mix of working from home and also from our Halifax, London, Manchester or Reading office. What will I be doing? Owning all aspects of testing, including planning, execution, reporting, and defect management, applying TDD, BDD, and modern testing practices to identify defects early Proactively managing testing risks and issues, escalating when necessary, and highlight opportunities to reduce dependencies and balance workloads Line managing QA Test Analysts as required Collaborating with IT Principals and Leads to define and continuously improve testing standards, methodologies, tools, and practices Promoting a shift-left testing approach to enable early test planning and execution in the SDLC Developing and maintaining test documentation and artefacts to agreed standards Following Covea’s delivery methodologies, governance, and change frameworks Working cross-functionally to ensure clear understanding of functional and non-functional requirements for quality delivery Championing an Automation First mindset, identifying opportunities to automate and support regression testing Monitoring and reporting testing progress and status to stakeholders Staying current with industry trends and best practices to maintain high QA standards. You should apply if you have… Skills in leading by example as a role model and motivating others to aspire for great things – sharing ideas to help lead others through periods of change Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities including being adept at finding defects, troubleshooting, and reporting issues Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks and priorities, with excellent attention to detail Excellent communication and documentation skills, including the ability to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical audiences. Ability to proactively engage and influence your stakeholders, being respectful of their needs, knowledge, and interest Previous experience as a QA Test Analyst and test management responsibilities, with a passion for technology and a commitment to quality assurance Proven experience of line management responsibilities, including undertaking coaching and mentoring of a team in a regulated environment Experience of defining, implementing, and managing end-to-end testing activities (both manual and automation) in small changes and complex large-scale products, with a good understanding of, and ability to implement, TDD, BDD and automated/manual testing approaches Proven experience of testing tools to understand how these can be utilised to achieve quality and satisfy acceptance criteria Experience in development of quality assurance policies, procedures, and guidance in line with good practice Certified to Foundation ISTQB level, or similar professional qualifications, preferred We understand that some candidates may be hesitant to apply for a position if they do not meet all the criteria listed in the job description. At Covéa, we are dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. Therefore, if you are interested in applying for this role but do not fully meet all the requirements, we still encourage you to submit your application. What’s on offer? 36.25 working hours per week with flexitime, (along with a range of flexible working options) Annual pay review and performance related bonus 25 days holiday + bank holidays, with the option to buy/sell holidays Continued professional development through internal training programmes, professional qualifications and apprenticeships A wealth of support for your mental, financial & physical wellbeing through our Wellbeing group A range of health benefits such as access to a 24/7 Virtual GP, free eye tests, flu jabs and the option to opt into private medical insurance Tusker Car Scheme - salary sacrifice scheme which lets you drive away a brand new, fully maintained and insured car for up to four years. Generous pension scheme with a 7.5% minimum employer pension contribution, matched to maximum of 9% dependant on your contribution Additional benefits such as discounted gym memberships, cycle to work schemes and discounts at lots of retailers through Perkpal Our Mission… Our mission is to welcome everyone and create engaged, inclusive teams. Being an inclusive workplace means taking action to make sure everyone has equal opportunity to succeed, irrespective of their differences. We celebrate our differences and encourage everyone to join us and be themselves at work. As a Disability Confident Employer, we want to ensure that our recruitment process is fair for all. If you require any reasonable adjustments or wish to discuss in more detail, then please get in contact with us or mention it during the online application Salary: £58,300 Working hours: 36.25 At Covéa Insurance we understand that a job is more than just a 9-5, it’s a big part of your life and you need to enjoy what you do. Our employees are at the heart of our organisation and we’re committed in supporting every individual to help them thrive and develop in our open and inclusive environment. When it comes to the common misconceptions about ‘dull’ insurance companies, we like to think we break the mould. Our newer employees often tell us they're surprised at how the reality of working for us is pleasantly different to the old fashioned idea they had before! We want our employees to enjoy working here and we do this by encouraging them to get involved and have fun. We look for opportunities to celebrate everyone’s successes, and we encourage our people to look after each other and give their time to support local charities that mean something to them.
