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
