Test Manager

Are you an experienced Test Manager looking for a new challenge Join our team and take on a multi-faceted and technical role where you will be responsible for assuring the quality and minimising the potential risk of technology products delivered by development teams or 3rd party vendors.

You will have the opportunity to work with agile squads DevOps or release teams and provide a level of oversight to junior team members. If you are passionate about delivering exceptional results and have strong experience in software testing we encourage you to apply and become part of our dynamic team.

A Test Manager takes ownership of the quality assurance and testing (QAT) strategy as part of a broader risk-based approach.

Social Security Scotland an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government delivers 19 major benefits reaching around 2 million people across Scotland. Social Security Scotland plays a central role in supporting low-income and disabled individuals carers and families while contributing to the Scottish Governments statutory child poverty targets. Our Charter affirms the agencys values and commitments ensuring that clients are treated with dignity fairness and respect and that their feedback informs service enhancements.

Social Security Scotland embeds a positive and inclusive organisational culture. This focuses on employee wellbeing diversity and inclusion professional development and performance improvement. The agency recognises that its workforce is key to delivering high-quality public services and is committed to creating an environment where staff are empowered to grow and contribute meaningfully.

Responsibilities

• Lead shape recruit and develop the testing practice (capability and the capacity) to service test demand.
• Liaise with stakeholders to maintain and operate testing approach and process standardising wherever feasible.
• Create comprehensive test strategies and detailed test plans that align with project goals and ensure adequate test coverage.
• Working closely with project and delivery managers technical specialists and business stakeholders to ensure test coverage is appropriate understood and evidenced robustly. Occasional hands-on testing to assist the team.
• Provide environment specifications in a cloud context.
• Work with Quality assurance testing (QAT) practice in defining the test data requirements.
• Provide technical leadership mentor test leads and testers and help develop their skills.
• Support choosing appropriate testing methodologies tools and frameworks and support their implementation. Ensure automation is integrated effectively into the overall test plan.
• Monitor key metrics track progress and report results risks and quality status to stakeholders and escalating as appropriate.
• Undertake analysis across the product life cycle; provide insight based on verification and validation of data.
• Liaise with the supplier(s) as required to ensure quality of service including identifying tracking and improving key performance metrics
• Help establishing a high-performing culture across the test practice.

Success Profiles
We use an assessment framework called Success Profiles which lists the elements we test and provides detailed descriptions of each. Find out more about how we assess the Success Profile elements.

Essential Experience
1. Proven experience of end-to-end test delivery of complex projects / programme across varied technology landscape.
2. Demonstrable experience managing a test team and working with external delivery suppliers. Ability to work effectively with cross-functional business and technical teams.

Behaviours

• Seeing the Big Picture (Level 4)
• Leadership (Level 4)
• Managing a Quality Service (Level 4)

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here.

Technical / Professional Skills
This role is aligned to Test manager within the Digital Data and Technology Profession.

These skills will be tested during the Technical Assessment if you are successful at sift stage. They will be not be assessed at application stage. Please review the following to understand the skill expectations: Test manager - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework

How to Apply
Apply online you must provide a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 750 words). Your CV and Supporting Statement should clearly demonstrate how you meet the Experience and Behaviours required for the role as outlined in the Success Profiles above. Be sure to provide specific examples of work that youve done that showcase your relevant experience.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application but all statements and examples 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 and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

Should a large number of applications be received an initial sift may be conducted using the CV and Supporting Statement on the First Experience criteria. Candidates who pass the initial sift will have their applications fully assessed.

Candidates who are successful at sift stage will be invited to attend an Interview and Technical Assessment. The interview will further assess the Experience and Behaviours listed in the job advert and the Technical Assessment will evaluate the Technical Skills relevant to the role.

Candidates who pass the sift and are invited to the Interview and Technical Assessment stage will receive a Technical Assessment Candidate Pack which will outline the skills to be assessed and the assessment methods to be used.

Following the application sift there may be a telephone interview as part of the assessment process before the main interview.

We aim to provide feedback on request. However if we receive a large number of applications it may not be possible for us to provide specific feedback on your application. We will provide feedback on request to candidates who attend an interview/assessment.

Information Session
We are holding a candidate information session for this role on Thursday 20th November 2025 at 12:00-13:00 where we will be talking about:

The Test Manager role and team
About Social Security Scotland
Our recruitment process
Q&A with the hiring manager

Please join us using the link below:

Click here to join the meeting

Expected Timeline (subject to change)
Sift w/c 1st December 2025
Interview w/c 15th December 2025
Location In Person in either Dundee or Glasgow

Reserve List
In the event that there are more successful candidates than posts available a reserve list will be kept for up to 12 months.

About Us
Social Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. Our benefits help people from all walks of life in Scotland. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that is representative of the clients we more about us here.

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.

As part of the UK Civil Service we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

DDaT Pay Supplement
This post is part of the Scottish Government Digital Data and Technology (DDAT) profession and as a member of the profession you will join the professional development system. This post currently attracts a 5000 annual DDAT pay supplement applicable after a 3 months competency qualifying period. The payment will be backdated to your start date in the role. Pay supplements are reviewed regularly and there is one currently underway. Changes will be communicated when the review is concluded.

Working Pattern
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role. We embrace a hybrid working style where all colleagues will spend time in either our Glasgow or Dundee offices. There is an expectation of a minimum 2 days per week in your assigned location which will be either Glasgow or Dundee. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for please contact us.

Security Checks
Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks Identity Right to work Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).

You can find out more about BPSS on theUK Government website or read about the different levels of security checks in ourCandidate Guide.

Equality Statement
Social Security Scotland are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.

Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process please contact us at

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Further Information
Find out more about our organisation what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.

Read our Candidate Guidefor further information on our recruitment and application processes.

The successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 3 years unless successful in gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.

Social Security Scotlands recruitment processes are underpinned by the recruitment principles of the Civil Service Commissioner which outline that selection for appointment be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition - Recruitment - Civil Service Commission ()

If you feel at any time your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles you can make a complaint by contacting Social Security Scotland at in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commissioner.

If you experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form please contact the Resourcing Team via

Apply before 23:55 Monday 1st December 2025.

Contact Name - Resourcing Team
Contact email