Program Manager (QA IT Banking)

Program & Quality Assurance Manager

Roles and Responsibilities

We are seeking a versatile and strategic individual to fill the combined role of Program Coordinator and Test Manager. This leadership position is critical for ensuring the seamless execution of interconnected projects, coordinating efforts across diverse teams, and maintaining stringent quality assurance standards across all deliverables.

Core Competencies and Responsibilities

The ideal candidate blends strong analytical and strategic skills with exceptional communication and leadership capabilities.

1. Communication and Stakeholder Alignment

The candidate serves as the primary liaison between technical teams, project partners, and senior leadership. Key responsibilities include:

• Active Listening & Requirements Analysis: Actively listen to and comprehend client requirements, expectations, and feedback to ensure all project outcomes align with business needs.
• Information Synthesis & Gap Identification: Analyse complex information critically to identify gaps in requirements, processes, or deliverables, proactively addressing potential issues.
• Clear Articulation & Alignment: Communicate information clearly and concisely, asking probing questions to ensure all stakeholders—from team members to senior executives—remain informed and aligned throughout the program lifecycle.
• Conflict Resolution: Utilize strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills to mediate disputes, achieve mutually acceptable solutions, and foster a healthy, collaborative team dynamic.

2. Strategic Thinking and Program Management

This role requires a high degree of strategic foresight and meticulous planning to manage competing priorities and unexpected challenges. Responsibilities include:

• Problem-Solving & Decision Making: Think critically to analyze problems, evaluate options, and make timely, data-driven decisions while effectively handling unexpected issues and changes in scope.
• Detailed Planning & Prioritization: Demonstrate meticulous attention to detail while multitasking to create comprehensive project plans, prioritize tasks effectively, manage resource allocation, and track overall progress.
• Risk Management: Proactively identify potential risks across projects and testing phases, developing and maintaining a risk monitoring matrix with clear mitigation strategies.

3. Accountability and Expectation Management

The manager must drive accountability and ensure all involved parties understand their roles and deliverables. Responsibilities include:

• Clear Expectation Setting: Establish and communicate clear expectations and acceptance criteria with all involved partners, including implementation teams, infrastructure teams, testing partners, and User Acceptance Testing (UAT) users.
• Driving Accountability: Hold internal and external teams accountable for their deliverables, timelines, and quality standards to ensure successful project outcomes.

4. Domain Expertise and Quality Assurance

A strong foundation in software development and testing methodologies is essential for guiding the team and making informed quality decisions. Responsibilities include:

• Continuous Learning & Upskilling: Maintain a commitment to continuous learning, keeping abreast of the latest business needs, regulatory requirements, application architecture, and the evolving IT landscape.
• Technical Guidance & Mentorship: Guide the testing team and provide informed recommendations based on current best practices in software development life cycles (SDLC), various testing types (e.g., automation, performance, security), and relevant testing tools.