Test Manager

Job summary

As Test Manager, you will lead the development and delivery of robust testing strategies across business operations, projects and programmes. You will bring a strong understanding of functional, non‑functional, quality assurance and performance testing approaches, ensuring that testing is embedded effectively throughout the delivery lifecycle. You will anticipate and address the challenges associated with complex systems, diverse user needs and fast‑moving delivery environments, providing expert guidance to teams and stakeholders. Through strong leadership and a focus on continuous improvement, you will ensure that services are thoroughly tested, performance‑ready and aligned with organisational standards and operational priorities.

Job description

We have roles available within both our National Data Exploitation Capability (NDEC) and our Transformation teams.

As a Test Manager, you will lead and manage the quality and performance of tooling and capabilities across Tier 1 and Tier 2. This will include defining the quality and performance strategy; managing it to completion, within agreed timescales and budgets, and to a level of quality that meets or exceeds the client’s expectations. You will use an advanced level appreciation of the architecture and key components of IT solutions (including GUI, operating systems, databases computer hardware & input devices, networks & security, applications and services) to inform the testing strategy, approach and plans and guide the Quality and Performance team based on this understanding. You will foster relationships with other parts of the Agency to ensure products are delivered in line with aligned with the appropriate design standards and governance.

This role aligns to Test Manager in the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework - Test manager - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework

Duties and Responsibilities

Test Strategy, Improvement and Optimisation - Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of the quality and performance testing approach. Define required test phases, produce accurate estimates for testing activities and ensure the end‑to‑end test process is efficient, consistent and aligned with delivery needs.

Risk, Issues and Assurance - Identify, document and manage all significant testing risks and issues, ensuring effective mitigations are put in place. Escalate concerns to the Senior Delivery Manager where necessary to prevent delays or impacts on delivery.

Test Governance and Artefact Management - Produce and maintain high‑quality test artefacts, including the quality and performance test strategy, plans and associated documentation. Actively seek opportunities to refine and optimise testing documentation and governance.

Test Data, Automation and Tooling - Oversee the creation and management of test data, and drive the development, maintenance and effective use of automation frameworks and scripts. Ensure testing tools and techniques reflect industry best practice and support efficient, repeatable and high‑quality test execution.

Management of Functional and Non‑Functional Testing - Lead and coordinate all functional and non‑functional testing activities, assigning work, providing constructive feedback and ensuring the effective collection and reporting of testing metrics and insights.

Leadership, Coaching and Capability Development - Provide leadership, coaching and professional development for staff, supporting talent management, succession planning and effective supplier management. Foster a culture of high performance and ensure teams use modern, industry‑standard testing methods and tools.

Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement - Promote and advocate testing capabilities across the Agency and wider government partners, building strong relationships and ensuring testing is fully integrated into delivery processes and decision‑making.

Person specification

Test Design, Execution and Quality Assurance - Demonstrable experience in creating, planning and managing tests across all test phases, including User Acceptance Testing. Able to lead test engineers in designing and executing high‑quality functional and non‑functional tests, ensuring test coverage, traceability and alignment with requirements.

Test Analysis and Problem Solving - Strong analytical skills with the ability to absorb large volumes of complex or conflicting information, identify patterns, evaluate root causes and determine effective solutions. Experience leading investigative work to identify improvements in testing processes, products or delivery approaches.

Defect Management and Continuous Improvement - Proven ability to drive effective defect reporting, triage and resolution, ensuring accurate information is captured and communicated. Able to lead and coach teams in improving test management processes, developing recommendations and implementing enhancements to quality and performance practices.

Test Strategy and Planning - Experience in developing and maintaining test strategies, plans and quality approaches, ensuring they are aligned with organisational priorities and delivery timelines. Able to guide teams in optimising quality and performance testing methods and selecting appropriate techniques and tools.

Technical Understanding of Test Environments - Knowledge and understanding of data solutions and testing in cloud or on‑premise environments, including environment setup and data exploitation tooling. Familiarity with test engineering practices, standards and modern tooling to support effective and repeatable test execution.

Requirements Engineering and Validation - Experience working with product, business and technical teams to gather, clarify and validate requirements, including non‑functional requirements. Able to translate requirements into structured test conditions and ensure deliverables are validated appropriately.

Communication and Stakeholder Engagement - Effective communication skills with the ability to engage confidently with technical and non‑technical stakeholders. Able to explain complex risks clearly, gather business and non‑functional needs, and escalate issues to senior leaders where necessary. Thinks creatively, asks insightful questions and communicates findings clearly to wider teams.

Leadership and Team Management - Demonstrable experience managing a test team, setting test strategy and providing coaching, feedback and professional development. Able to foster a high‑performing culture and ensure teams adopt industry best practice in testing and quality assurance.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £55,575, National Crime Agency contributes £16,100 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

New entrants to the NCA receive 26 days annual leave, rising to 31 on completion of 5 years continuous service, plus 8 bank holidays.

If qualifying criteria is met new joiners from UK Police Forces or the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC) will have service with those employers taken into account for continuous service purposes for annual leave entitlement only, this will be up to a maximum of 31 days leave (including 1 privilege day).

Other benefits include:

• Flexible working, including flexi-time, compressed hours and job sharing (in line with business requirements)
• Family friendly policies, notably above the statutory minimum
• Learning and Development opportunities
• Interest free loans and advances, including season tickets, childcare and rental deposits
• Housing schemes - Key Worker status
• Discounts and Savings with a wide variety of services including Cycle to Work, Smart Tech schemes, dental insurance, gym discounts and savings on everyday spending, available through the Reward Gateway , Edenred and Blue Light Card schemes.
• Staff support groups/networks
• Sports and social activities, including membership to the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC)

Further information is available on the NCA Website.

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 and Experience.Experience - This will be assessed:

CV

Please include your full career history, training, qualifications, key responsibilities, and achievements. Explain any employment gaps in the last two years. Ensure all accreditation dates are accurate.

Details of what is expected within you CV are as follows: Candidates should provide a clear, up‑to‑date CV that includes a short professional summary, key technical skills, and relevant career history presented in reverse‑chronological order with brief evidence of responsibilities and achievements (please explain any gaps over the past two years). The CV should highlight how you meet the criteria listed in the Person Specification.

Experience Criteria - will be assessed by 250 word examples on:

• Demonstrable experience in creating, planning and managing tests across all test phases, including leading the delivery of User Acceptance Testing.

A panel will assess how well your application demonstrates the requirements outlined above.

Longlist

In the event of a high number of applications, we may operate a longlist. Applicants will need to meet the minimum pass mark for the lead criteria.

- Demonstrable experience in creating, planning and managing tests across all test phases, including leading the delivery of User Acceptance Testing. .

Candidates who do not meet the minimum pass mark for the lead criteria will not progress to having their other criteria assessed. Applications must meet the minimum criteria to be progressed to the assessment stage.

You will receive an acknowledgement once your application is submitted.

We aim to have sift completed and scores released within 10 working days of the closing date of the advert. For high volume campaigns this timeframe may be extended.

Scores will be provided but further feedback will not be available at this stage.

For guidance on the application process, visit:
NCA Applying and Onboarding

Assessment 1

The format of this assessment will be Interview which will be tested on the criteria listed in the Success Profiles at Assessment section.

Success Profiles at Assessment

Behaviours

• Leadership

• Delivering at Pace

Experience

• Demonstrable experience in creating, planning and managing tests across all test phases, including leading the delivery of User Acceptance Testing.

• Knowledge and understanding of data solutions in cloud or on‑premise environments, with particular experience of data exploitation tooling and how it supports testing and assurance activities.

• Understanding of requirements engineering, with the ability to support the creation of clear, testable requirements and validate deliverables against them.

Assessment OutcomeOutcomes will be communicated via the NCA recruitment portal.
If successful but no role is immediately available, you may be placed on a reserve list for 12 months.
Reserve lists can be used to fill similar role types across the Agency where the assessment criteria is considered a match by the recruitment team and the business area.

In the event of a tie at the assessment stage, available roles will be offered in merit order using the following order:

1. Lead criteria (behaviours/technical/experience)
2. If still tied, desirable criteria will be assessed (if advertised)
3. If still tied, application sift scores will be used

Feedback is provided only to those who attend an assessment.You will be subject to vetting and pre-employment checks before appointment.Once the vacancy closes, the advert will no longer be accessible. Please save a copy for your records. We encourage all candidates to visit the NCA Careers Page for more information.

Vetting requirements

Prior to commencing the role, you will need to successfully complete SC Enhanced clearance and then achieve DV Enhanced clearance within the first 12 months in post. The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years.The requirement for DV Enhanced clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 7 of the last 10 years.Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.If the increased clearance cannot be obtained you will be moved to a role appropriate to your clearance level achieved on entry. For further information on National Security Vetting checks please visit the following page Demystifying VettingIndividuals will be required to undertake and pass a substance misuse test as part of pre-employment checks.Full advert details for this vacancy can found on the advert on the NCA Recruitment Portal. Please follow the link to apply at advertisers' site.

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

Security

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.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

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.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

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.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 : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk
• Email : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk
• Telephone : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk

Further information

If you believe your application has not been treated fairly, email: Central.Recruitment@nca.gov.uk (quoting the vacancy reference). If unresolved, you may escalate your complaint to the Civil Service Commission.