Qa Lead

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Manager/Senior Manager to lead our Testing Center of Excellence (TCOE) in a product-based financial services environment. The ideal candidate will have a strong mix of testing expertise, domain knowledge, automation, performance testing, and managerial skills.

This role requires someone who is flexible to perform hands-on testing activities when needed, while also strategizing and managing testing initiatives for applications, including those incorporating Generative AI. Additionally, the candidate will be responsible for status reporting, stakeholder management, small team handling, and escalation management.

Key Responsibilities:

Test Strategy & Execution:

• Define and drive the testing strategy for applications, including Gen AI-powered solutions.
• Ensure end-to-end test coverage across functional, automation, and performance testing disciplines.
• Identify and implement risk-based testing approaches for efficiency and effectiveness.
• Be flexible and hands-on when required to support critical testing phases.

Leadership, Team Management & Hands-On Testing:

• Manage and mentor a small team of test engineers and automation specialists.
• Guide the team with a positive work culture, fostering growth and best practices.
• Hands-on involvement in test planning, execution, and troubleshooting critical issues.

Automation & Performance Testing:

• Lead test automation initiatives using tools like Selenium, Playwright, Cypress, etc.
• Oversee performance testing strategies using tools like JMeter, LoadRunner, k6.
• Embed CI/CD testing practices within DevOps pipelines.

Stakeholder Management & Reporting:

• Own status reporting, risk tracking, and escalation handling for testing activities.
• Drive test-related discussions with Product Owners, Business Analysts, and Tech Leads.
• Ensure clear and proactive communication on testing progress and challenges.

Process Improvements & Best Practices:

• Identify and implement test process improvements to enhance efficiency and quality.
• Stay updated with emerging trends in AI-driven testing, automation, and performance engineering.
• Establish and enforce TCOE best practices for test planning, execution, and governance.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Strong domain knowledge in Financial Services, Hedge Funds, or Private Equity.
• Expertise in test automation frameworks (e.g., Selenium, Playwright, Cypress).
• Exposure to performance testing tools (e.g., JMeter, LoadRunner, k6).
• Knowledge of AI-based testing approaches and ML-driven test strategies.
• Familiarity with DevOps, CI/CD, and cloud-based testing environments.
• Small team management experience, balancing leadership and hands-on testing.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to handle escalations.
• Experience in status reporting, risk tracking, and driving discussions with senior management.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience leading a Testing Center of Excellence (TCOE).
• Exposure to AI-driven testing tools and frameworks.
• Knowledge of API testing, security testing, and performance engineering best practices.
• Certifications like ISTQB, CSM, SAFe, or AI in Testing (preferred).

Behavioural Competencies:

• Positive work attitude with a proactive and problem-solving mindset.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining quality standards.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate across teams.
• Leadership and mentorship skills to guide and develop the team.
• Adaptability and willingness to be hands-on when necessary.