Job Description

Test Manager

Location: Basingstoke (Onsite)

Contract Length: 18 Months

Clearance: Active DV Clearance Required

Rate: £650-£700 per day | Outside IR35

The Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced Project Test Manager to join a high-profile, secure government infrastructure programme delivering critical national capabilities.

This role offers the opportunity to lead and assure complex Test & Trials activity across a large-scale IT infrastructure environment. You will work closely with programme leadership, engineering teams, cyber specialists, and operational stakeholders to ensure solutions are validated, risks are identified early, and delivery meets operational and security expectations.

The successful candidate will bring strong leadership, governance, and assurance experience within highly secure defence or government environments and be comfortable operating at programme level, providing independent challenge and strategic oversight.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the governance, assurance, and oversight of Test & Trials activities across the programme

Develop, review, and enhance Test Strategies, Plans, and assurance frameworks

Provide expert guidance to programme leadership on test readiness, delivery confidence, and risk

Deliver independent challenge to ensure robust validation, compliance, and assurance standards are maintained

Coordinate integration, system, acceptance, and operational testing activities

Work collaboratively with engineering, cyber security, delivery, and operational teams to ensure aligned execution

Produce senior-level assurance reports, readiness assessments, and risk evaluations

Identify programme risks and recommend pragmatic mitigation strategies

Support transition into service, operational acceptance, and go-live activities

Ensure testing activity aligns with operational, technical, and security requirements

Essential Experience

Active DV Clearance (mandatory)

Proven experience leading or consulting on Test & Trials activities within secure government, defence, or national security environments

Strong background in test governance, assurance, and strategic test management

Experience delivering within complex IT infrastructure or secure systems programmes

Ability to advise and influence senior stakeholders on readiness, risk, and delivery confidence

Strong understanding of integration, system, operational, and acceptance testing methodologies

Experience operating within highly controlled, security-sensitive environments

Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills

Desirable Experience

Experience supporting MOD, Defence, or National Security programmes

Knowledge of secure networks, infrastructure delivery, or classified environments

Experience providing independent assurance or programme-level consultancy

Familiarity with delivery methodologies such as PRINCE2, Agile, or ITIL

Why Apply?

Long-term programme on a critical national infrastructure initiative

High-impact role with significant stakeholder exposure

Opportunity to shape assurance and testing strategy across a complex secure environment

Outside IR35 engagement with competitive day rate

Work alongside senior technical and operational specialists on mission-critical delivery programmes