This document includes information about the role for which you are applying and the information you will need to provide with the application.

Transcription

1 Further Particulars This document includes information about the role for which you are applying and the information you will need to provide with the application. 1. Role details Vacancy reference: Job title: Reports to: Head of Testing Salary: 48,743 54,841 Terms and conditions: Grade: 9 Duration of post: Working hours: 37 Location: Head of IT Testing & Quality Assurance, IT Development Academic Related & Support Staff Permanent Walton Hall Closing date: Midday 11 June 2015 Type of application form accepted: Number of referees required: 3 Unit recruitment contact: Full Application and CV Gabrielle Price Page 1 of 5

2 2. Summary of duties Role Purpose: To be an effective leader in Managing and delivering both IT Testing and Quality Assurance within IT Development. The establishment of appropriate governance standards and best practices in Quality Assurance and testing is a core requirement of this role. In particular, the successful candidate will be highly experienced in Agile practices and will be expected to champion continuous improvement in how Agile is applied, including increased automation and associated toolsets. Maintain and own the Test Strategy in line with the department s Test Policy Drive the establishment of a Quality Assurance ethos within IT Development Define and drive best practices in Quality Assurance and Testing. In particular, champion the adoption of Agile delivery and be prepared to disrupt the status quo Define test approaches and ensure that the IT Development plans, prepares, executes and reports testing in line with testing policy and strategy. Line management experience, including organisation restructuring. Negotiates with resource owner to release key individuals. Confident in making changes to test plan due to dependency issues and cross-project resource issues Help identify all stakeholders and works with the business and IT project management to ensure cross-stakeholder communication and priorities are maintained Gathering and helping to define testing success criteria in collaboration with product owners Capturing and reporting of quality-related metrics & Key Performance Indicators; instill a culture of continuous improvement in Quality of IT solutions Identifying areas for cost and time reductions which add value Ensures on-going review and management of test progress and product quality, with any variance approved by key stakeholders Manages product risks and test related project risks including contingency plans and escalating upwards. Facilitates ownership of risks and issues and seeks to drive action to provide resolution Prepares test progress and closure reports, including sign-off acceptance, test metrics and lessons learnt Identifies, implements and maintains testing tools and associated processes, appropriate to all test levels Responsible for the specification of appropriate testing environments Staff selection and recruitment 3. Person specification Essential Knowledge and Experience Specific senior level experience of managing testing within a medium to large organisation, ideally in Digital/eCommerce sector.. Fully conversant with modern IT systems & test methodologies, practices and approaches. Experience of introducing and managing Quality Assurance processes A strong track record of large successful software developments and package integration / implementation. Proven experience of complex decision-making in a complex environment. Proven experience of developing and maintaining good and effective relationships with internal and external business partners. Proven experience of effectively managing Third Party suppliers. Page 2 of 5

3 Proven experience of managing, motivating and developing team members both collectively and individually and of achieving positive cultural change Demonstrable thought leadership within previous businesses Proven ability to understand business drivers, pressures and value Strong understanding or Business and Enterprise Architecture Ability to simplify and communicate complex issues Experience of working in a matrixed environment Experience of managing testing within an agile environment ISEB/ISTQB Advanced Test Manager Certificate Personal Qualities Performance improvement mind-set underpinned by strong metrics/data analysis approach. Excellent communication and influencing skills verbal and written with ability to liaise at all levels, including Board level Excellent technical awareness and business acumen Ability to drive change and overcome obstacles and resistance Excellent people management skills, able to engage and lead. Excellent commercial and negotiation skills Confident and convincing presentation skills Personal Characteristics At ease working with Board Level / Executive team Strong Relationship management Business Leadership Ability to manage in an ambiguous environment Decision-making Setting Direction Communicating and Influencing Innovation and Change Commercial Acumen Managing internal and external relationships Delivering expert advice Personable approach to individuals Leader and Shaper Credible individual (Business and Technical) Coach and Mentor 4. Role specific requirements e.g. Shift working N/A 5. About the unit/department INFORMATION ABOUT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) The Higher Education sector in England is undergoing dramatic change as institutions adjust to serious reductions in state funding for teaching and students have to bear more of the cost of their education. As well as these cost drivers, the entry of more private providers to the sector and the increasing consumer power of high fee-paying students will put a premium on service delivery and cost efficiency. In turn, this will Page 3 of 5

4 throw emphasis on the development of robust, efficient, enterprise-scale IT systems to increase efficiency and customer choice. Information Technology provides and supports all central University IT services and is responsible for the University's technical infrastructure. In addition to this service and support provision, it develops systems to support the business requirements of the organisation. The IT Development department has a number of teams including Learning Systems, Media Production, Content & Collaboration, Corporate Systems, Pre-Study, Study, and Vantage. It works closely with business partners to ensure that requirements are prioritised according to business value and then delivers agreed changes. The IT Development function is responsible for the development and maintenance of the University's key operational applications. The main systems support Virtual Learning, Student and Customer Administration, Course Development and Production, Finance and Staff. Teams of Analysts and Developers are responsible for developing and maintaining systems for particular business areas. Whilst much of the software is developed in-house, there are a number of packages that are used. These include applications from the Siebel Customer Relationship Management suite, EMC Documentum s Content Management as well as Finance Ledger, Payroll and Stock Control packages. In-house developed software includes transactional websites to provide self service facilities for students and staff, virtual learning, information websites, decision support, workflow and student and staff records management. 6. How to obtain more information about the role or application process If you would like to discuss the particulars of this role before making an application please contact David Parsons on or david.parsons@open.ac.uk. If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact Gabrielle Price on or IT-Recruitment@open.ac.uk. 7. The application process and where to send completed applications Please ensure that your application reaches the University by: Midday 11 June 2015 Please your application to: IT-Recruitment@open.ac.uk. Or post it to: Name/Job title: Gabrielle Price Administrative Assistant Department/Unit: IT Berrill L1N Address: The Open University Walton Hall Milton Keynes Post Code: MK7 6AA Page 4 of 5

5 8. Selection process and date of interview The interview panel will be chaired by David Parsons, Head of Operational Delivery. The other members of the interview panel will be advised. The interview date is to be arranged. The selection process for this post will include an interview. We will let you know as soon as possible after the closing date whether you have been shortlisted for interview. Further details on the selection process will also be sent to shortlisted candidates. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Page 5 of 5