Test & Release Lead

About the role

We are seeking a senior Test and Release Lead to drive testing and release governance for a large‑scale HCM transformation program. The role is hands‑on, coordinating system integration, end‑to‑end, and parallel payroll testing across multiple integrations and ensuring data migration integrity.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and maintain testing and release governance, coordinating system integration and end‑to‑end testing across ~10 downstream applications.
• Plan, execute and reconcile parallel pay‑run testing and cut‑over activities, including dress rehearsals, go/no‑go decisions, rollback plans and hyper‑care support.
• Oversee data migration validation to confirm source‑to‑target integrity before go‑live.
• Guide and support business subject‑matter experts during UAT, ensuring effective defect management and triage across internal teams, implementation partners and vendors.
• Manage defect triage, escalation and resolution throughout the testing lifecycle.

Required profile

• Minimum 10 years of experience in testing and release management on large enterprise transformation programmes.
• Hands‑on experience with HCM or payroll platform implementations, including legacy system cut‑over.
• Proven ability to plan and coordinate parallel payroll testing and to support business SMEs through UAT.
• Experience working in both agile and waterfall delivery models.
• ISTQB certification or equivalent.

Required skills

• Jira or HP ALM (testing and release tooling).
• Automated testing concepts and CI/CD environments.

What we offer

• 18‑month fixed‑term contract.
• Hybrid working arrangement.
• Opportunity to shape testing and release standards at an early stage of a strategic programme.