We’re First Central Insurance & Technology Group (First Central for short), an award-winning innovative insurance and technology organisation, delivering market-leading motor insurance, underwriting, distribution, finance, technology and legal services.
We’re looking for someone to join our Technology and Data team as a Data Portfolio Test Manager, this is a flexible hybrid working role with occasional visits to our offices, when required, in either Salford Quays, Manchester, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, or Guernsey.
The Data Portfolio Test Manager will lead a team of dedicated Data Test professionals working within the Test Practice, with the responsibility for the quality assurance of First Central Data Products. In this role you will be responsible for managing all aspects of the test process for the Data Products, including line management of the Data test team.
To be successful in this role, you’ll need to:
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Demonstrable experience of data testing in software delivery preferably gained within Insurance or Financial services.
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Practical knowledge of core data ETL and visualisation skills, ETL tools (e.g., Snaplogic, Alteryx) & Power BI/Tableau/Qlik.
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Excellent leadership and people management skills, including the ability to motivate and inspire teams.
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Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Job Responsibilities:
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Oversee the data testing team and support taking responsibility for the management of data testing activities within First Central.
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Responsible for data test strategy and approach for the testing of data products.
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Sets appropriate methods and standards to ensure the Testing Team produces, interprets, executes, and documents appropriate test scripts.
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Works with the data development manager to ensure use of testing automation is coordinated across data generation and reconciliation including regression and that effort is commensurate with quality improvement, and always ensures resource efficiency.
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Responsible for implementing automated data testing including integrating with existing automation tools.
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Controls acceptance of software from internal developers and external suppliers, works closely with the development manager to ensure testing responsibilities are understood and adhered to.
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Collaborating with teams across technology and the business pillars to support the planning and execution of test plans in line with business needs and delivery timescales.
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Manages all risks associated with Testing and takes preventative action when any risks become unacceptable.
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Work with the Configuration management team to ensure all data developments are properly packaged into deliverable releases by product and that these are fully tested prior to implementation.
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Works with the Product Owner and business stakeholders to ensure all business impacts of the change have been considered and communicated.
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Monitors and controls the testing effort and records and publishes suitable metrics for evaluating test progress, test efficiency and assessing product quality.
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Reports on the effectiveness of testing and identifies improvements to the testing process, particularly in bringing defect identification as high up the SDLC as possible.
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Implementation of defect management for the identification, resolution, process improvement and reporting.
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Specifies requirements for environment, data, resources, and tools required to deliver the appropriate testing service.
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Deputise for management as required and ensure timescales and priorities are met
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Manages the Testing team including, coaching, empower and support, conducting performance reviews, developing a team culture, and encouraging the team to be creative and realise their full potential.
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Responsibility for maintaining department risk registers (as applicable), providing evidence and commentary for controls, updates for Mitigation Actions and maintaining control matrices and attestations. Also, to ensure that your employees are aware of their responsibility to identify and report risk.
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Comply with the requirements, and act in accordance with, the Group Code of Conduct and Fitness and Propriety policies at all times.
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Ensure compliance with Company Policies, Values and guidelines and other relevant standards/ regulations at all times.
Experience & Knowledge
- Demonstrable experience of data testing in software delivery preferably in Insurance or Financial services.
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Practical knowledge of core data ETL and visualisation skills, ETL tools (e.g., Snaplogic, Alteryx) & Power BI/Tableau/Qlik.
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Full life cycle experience of scoping, managing, and delivering data testing solutions on cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, Snowflake, GCP or similar).
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Excellent experience of all stages of the software development lifecycle in a fully Agile environment.
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Demonstrable experience of working with web-based applications.
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Experience of implementing software testing automation tools (e.g., QTP/Selenium or similar)
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Line management experience of minimum 6 team members.
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Knowledge of FCA requirements (including TCF).
Skills & Qualifications
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Excellent planning and control expertise.
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Excellent leadership and people management skills, including ability to motivate and inspire teams.
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Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
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Excellent time management and organisation skills.
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Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
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Excellent Supplier Management skills.
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Excellent stakeholder influencing and management skills
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Formal Testing qualification such as ISEB or equivalent is desirable
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Experience of managing data teams across SDLC.
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Previous SAS, Power BI, Data Lake and ETL experience.
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Coding experience with C# and Python.
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Agile qualifications preferable.
Behaviours
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Commercially focussed and results driven.
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Self-motivated and enthusiastic.
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Acts as a role model and motivates others.
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Embraces, embeds and incorporates the Company values.
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An organised and pro-active approach.
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Leads and influences up to a senior level.
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A flexible approach and positive attitude.
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Able to balance attention to detail whilst retaining focus on broader needs.
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Takes initiative to make decisions.
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Strives to deliver process improvement.
What can we do for you?
We believe we can offer you a great working environment as we’re so passionate about our people. Here are just some of the benefits and perks that we offer…
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Fantastic training and development opportunities
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Employee benefit packages to suit your lifestyle
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Flexible working
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YOUday – we give you an extra day off to celebrate a special day
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The opportunity to take a paid day off each year to do charity work
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A health cash plan
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Help with travel expenses
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The opportunity to buy additional holiday
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Company pension scheme
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Group life assurance
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Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
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Professional subscription fees paid
Employee wellbeing is high on the agenda here too. We provide discounted membership at a local health club and access to an Employee Assistance Programme, which promotes physical and emotional wellbeing at work and at home. In addition, we provide wellbeing events throughout the year to support physical and mental health.
For further information on what we can offer and to learn more about this role, feel free to contact our dedicated Talent team.