Lead Test Manager (£57,515 - £82,430)

Job summary

Would you like to work with cutting edge of cloud-first technologies?

Do you have experience with modern software development lifecycles in product delivery and test?

Have you deep technical breath, supported by a good knowledge of the functional requirements and activities?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

At the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), we take testing very seriously. We have Software Development Engineers in Test (SDETs) and Test Engineers embedded in our delivery squads and specialists in our Performance and Independent testing teams. We are looking for an experienced Lead Test Manager to provide strategic leadership for test and quality engineering across a broad and complex delivery environment.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at DVLA - Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency - Department for Transport Careers

Job description

As a Lead Test Manager, you will play a critical leadership role within the organisation, taking ownership of the independent testing strategy and assurance across multiple concurrent deliveries. You will provide oversight and coordination of testing activities at scale, ensuring they are planned, executed and reported effectively.

You will work closely with suppliers, delivery partners and internal engineering teams, setting clear expectations and providing direction to ensure testing activities meet agreed standards and deliver meaningful assurance. You will challenge approaches where necessary and drive improvements to testing outcomes.

You will bring a strong, current understanding of modern testing and development practices. Working within an agile delivery environment and targeting cloud-first solutions, you will influence how quality is embedded throughout the delivery lifecycle. You will engage proactively with multiple delivery squads, taking a pragmatic, risk-based approach to problem-solving and decision-making.

A significant proportion of the role will focus on large-scale transformation of the IT estate, while also providing leadership on deliveries driven by legislative change and legacy systems, ensuring appropriate testing strategies are applied in each context.

You will represent the testing and quality engineering capability internally and externally, acting as a senior advocate for best practice across government and the wider profession. You will contribute to strategic planning, continuous improvement, and the development of sustainable test capability.

If you are successful, you will be part of the new electronic Vehicle Excise Duty programme which is a new legislative, digital service being delivered by DVLA to modernise how Vehicle Excise Duty is administered and delivered digitally. This is an exciting time to join us!

Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:

1. Lead a broad area in technical tooling, engineering approaches and test types and techniques to address risks early
2. Define engineering standards, enabling others to follow them
3. Lead and guide teams in quality engineering strategies and practices
4. Lead and guide test engineers
5. Escalate risks to senior stakeholders
6. Lead and implement continuous testing, identifying opportunities to test earlier

Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills they need. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public.

For further information on the role, please read the attached role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Open Sessions: Would you like to find out more about the role, the team and what it’s like to work in our department? If so, we are organising an open session where you can virtually 'meet the team' on 28/05/2026 at 12:00 Sign up here

Person specification

Required experience:

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• A recognised authority in assessing and defining testing strategies for complex services with web based user interfaces and API driven architectures. You will provide leadership on testing approaches for solutions hosted on public cloud platforms, and set expectations for behaviour driven development, including the effective use of Gherkin syntax and shared specifications.
  
  
• Demonstrate deep expertise in functional testing and test analysis, with the ability to lead and assure testing approaches across multiple teams and delivery contexts. This will be underpinned by a strong working knowledge of non functional requirements, including performance, security, accessibility and resilience, and the ability to ensure these considerations are embedded into delivery from the outset.
  
  
• A comprehensive understanding of modern software development lifecycles, including agile and iterative delivery models, and the strategic role of CI/CD pipelines in enabling high quality, continuous delivery. You will influence how testing is integrated into these pipelines and ensure best practice is adopted consistently.
  
  
• A proven track record of leading improvements in quality assurance efficiency, championing the use of appropriate tooling and driving an automation first, risk based testing strategy. You will set direction rather than simply adopt tools, ensuring solutions are scalable, maintainable and aligned to organisational needs.
  
  
• Exceptional attention to detail, balanced with the confidence and authority to challenge delivery decisions constructively, escalate quality risks, and provide clear, evidence based recommendations at senior levels to protect outcomes and user experience.

Additional Information

This role is part of the Government Digital and Data profession and utilises an enhanced Capability–Based Pay Framework which provides access to a Digital and Data allowance.

The base pay is £57,515. In addition to this the role includes a Digital and Data allowance of up to £24,915.

The value of allowance awarded will be based on an assessment of your skills and experience as demonstrated through the selection process. Here are more details on the pay framework.

Working for the DVLA Digital Team

At DVLA, licensing is just the start. Every project you implement, touch and deliver has a ripple effect that’ll wash across the nation. Here the work you’re doing has the capacity to change the way 53 million people interact with our services. As we aim to keep our roads some of the safest in the world, our innovative, transformative digital-led services help optimise a nation of individuals and business every single day.

To see how our people are transforming our digital services, head over to our DVLA Digital Services Blog and, to understand more about the great opportunities and benefits of working at DVLA read our Inside DVLA blog.

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week. Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 35 hours per week.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Security Check

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check. To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out, candidates will be required to have at least 5 years continuous residency in the UK. All applicants for this role must ensure that they meet this minimum residency requirement - if you do not, your application will be withdrawn.

Visa Sponsorship

Please note that we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Licence sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. Candidates must ensure they have the appropriate rights to work in the UK before application.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Government Digital & Data Skills Communicating between the technical and non-technical (Expert)
• Government Digital & Data Skills Designing and executing tests (Expert)
• Government Digital & Data Skills Test analysis (Expert)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,515, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency contributes £16,662 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Passionate, reliable and always willing to push yourself and those around you, you’ll continue to seek improvement in your own role and challenge us too. Because we pride ourselves on how we approach your development. From training courses to specialist skills workshops and opportunities to grow your expertise, we thrive when you thrive. You can find out more about all of the above here alongside a full list of our benefits:

• Best in class learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues
• Generous employer contribution of 28.9%, depending on chosen pension scheme
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
• Digital communities with clear career frameworks
• On-site gym plus personal training available (membership applies)
• On-site nursery, restaurants and coffee bar
• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays), increasing by 1 each year (up to 30) & 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff
• Free parking

Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies (opens in a new window).

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

How to apply:

Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's qualifications, skills, and potential fit within our organisation.

The selection process for this role will be:

Stage 1: Sift of CV

Stage 2: Pre-recorded video interview

Stage 3: Interview

You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.

Stage 1: Sift of CV

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a CV to Inspire People (our Recruitment Partners) which outlines your experience and suitability for the role (based on the experience points outlined in the essential criteria on this advert).

On receipt of your CV, DVLA Hiring Managers will complete a sift. Please note; the sift will be completed on a rolling basis whilst the campaign is still live and so there is potential for feedback to be shared with you (on your application) before the advert closes.

You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.

To apply please click 'Apply at advertiser's site' at the bottom of the page.

For this role you will need to submit a CV.

Within your CV, please provide detailed evidence of your experience of the following essential criteria:

• Leading communication between technical and non-technical stakeholders, translating complex testing and quality risks into clear, actionable information to support senior decision making and delivery governance.
• Setting direction for test design and execution across multiple technologies, providing strategic oversight and assurance rather than solely hands on delivery, including guiding teams and suppliers on appropriate testing approaches.

Should we receive a high volume of quality applications, we may invite a shortlist of the highest scoring candidates to interview. This means that some applications that meet the required standard could be placed ‘on hold’ after the sift and invited to interview if the vacant position(s) remain unfilled. You will be notified if your application is being put ‘on hold’ once the sift has been completed. Following interviews, any applicants remaining on hold will be notified by the panel of the next steps regarding their application.

The sift will take place from week commencing 15/06/2026

Stage 2: Pre-recorded video interview

If at sift your application is successful, you will be invited to the first stage of the interview process (hosted by Inspire People), where you will be asked to complete a pre-recorded video interview (this again will be based on the experience points outlined in the essential criteria on this advert).

If you are successful at this stage, you will be invited to a final stage interview and be conducted by DVLA Hiring Managers

Stage 3: Interview and exercise

If invited to interview, this may consist of a range of question types. These could include questions around behaviours and how you would respond in any situation as well as specific examples of things you have done. The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include:

Behaviours:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership

Technical:

• Government Digital & Data Skills Communicating between the technical and non-technical (Expert)
• Government Digital & Data Skills Designing and executing tests (Expert)
• Government Digital & Data Skills Test analysis (Expert)

Experience

Please note that the technical elements of the role will be assessed against Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework which you can access here: Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework

Your assessment will also include an exercise. Guidance will be provided on the day if you progress to stage 3.

The interviews will take place from 24th June 2026

Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. This interview will be conducted in person at our Swansea office (DVLA, Swansea, SA6 7JL). Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site (opens in a new window).

Further information on the selection process

Feedback on your application can only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

We will also hold a6-month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here.

Pre-Employment Checking

If your application is successful but you have been dismissed from the Civil Service, your application could be removed at the pre-employment checking stage depending on the nature of the dismissal.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

If your application is successful but you have been dismissed from the Civil Service within the last 12 months, your application could be removed at the pre-employment checking stage.

All external applicants and current employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) will be required to undergo a Social Media Check. A Social Media Check is a review of your publicly available online activity, typically across platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and others. The purpose is to identify any public posts or content that could raise concerns for employers, such as:

• Hate speech or discriminatory behaviour
• Threats or acts of violence
• Illegal activity or substance misuse
• Sexually explicit material
• Extremist views or affiliations

Importantly, this check does not involve hacking into your accounts or accessing private messages. It only considers content you have chosen to make public. Employers use this kind of screening to help ensure their workplace remains safe, inclusive, and aligned with company values. It’s not about judging your personality or lifestyle - it’s about checking for potential red flags that might affect the role or company culture. If you have questions or concerns about the social media check, we would be happy to explain in more detail what’s being looked at and how your data is handled securely and fairly.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Andrew Medhurst
• Email : amedhurst@inspirepeople.net

Recruitment team

• Email : itsrecruitment@dvla.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here

Attachments

Role Profile Opens in new window (pdf, 257kB)DVLA Digital Job Brochure - V1 2025 Opens in new window (pdf, 2074kB)