Principal Test Lead - Automation

Tēnei tūranga – About the role

The Principal Test Lead – Automation position is a specialist role responsible for managing test automation and performance testing services across MBIE projects.

The Principal Test Lead - Automation (PTLA) contributes to the overall effectiveness of our branch deliverables by defining the standards at which we operate in the technical testing space and providing a strong view on quality and control. They will be responsible for driving and maintaining successful relationships with business owners, vendors, and Solution Delivery leadership teams, influencing decision-making and aligning test automation and performance testing strategies with business objectives through effective communication, collaboration, and strategic engagement.

Leading from the front; your advice, expertise, coaching and mentorship will support the efforts of the wider QAT team, while also supporting the career development of our Test Engineers, current and aspiring.

By leading the planning, estimation, and delivery of test automation/ performance testing strategies across complex or multiple projects, the PTLA contributes significantly to the success of MBIE’s programmes of work.

The QAT team provides quality assurance of our core business systems through effective use of technology. The Principal Test Lead is responsible for overseeing the delivery of test automation/ performance testing work by the QAT team. This involves:

• Planning, coordination, and oversight of the automation of end-to-end testing and performance testing activities
• Take ownership of MBIE’s Test Automation Policy to ensure industry best practice, standards, and quality controls are detailed and reviewed regularly
• Ensure test automation/ performance testing deliverables meet the standards and follow quality controls in place as set by QAT Test Automation Policy
• Provide strategic advice on the direction of the automation test/ performance testing practice within QAT
• Ensuring the practices consider MBIE’s standard frameworks for risk management, security, disaster recovery, workforce impacts, reporting and accountability
• Ensure that MBIE maintains best practice alignment with the NZ Government sector and ICT industry standards
• Identify quality problems early to mitigate potential risks that threaten the value of desired outcome

Key Relationships

• Business owners
• Solution delivery leadership teams
• Test team
• Vendor delivery relationships

Ngā herenga – Requirements of the role

Personal specifications

• In depth knowledge and experience in automation and performance testing with at least 7+ years of experience in designing complex test automation and performance testing strategies and leadership of automation test teams
• Proven ability to design and document test strategy and define overall test scope for large, complex projects.
• A strategic and analytical thinker who can make connections between various aspects of the organisation and is able to prepare a cohesive approach across all the elements of a technology-enabled business.
• Proven ability to identify and use modern testing techniques that are fit for purpose, to accelerate test delivery without compromising quality.
• Have demonstrated experience working in integrated SaaS products environment.
• Extensive and demonstrated understanding of the role of DevOPs in test automation and its impact on the overall testing lifecycle.
• Ability to review and set appropriate quality standards to validate that the automation/ performance test deliverables received from vendors meet MBIE quality standards.
• Sound working knowledge and understanding of the machinery of government and relevant operating procedures and policies and decision-making processes that apply within the State Sector.
• Ability to quickly establish and build strong working relationships and develop trust, credibility, buy-in and collaboration with team members, managers, staff, vendors and other stakeholders.
• Extensive experience leading and supporting automation test delivery for complex or multiple streams of work from planning test scope, strategy, resources, and delivery.
• Proven and extensive ability to influence, lead, mentor and coach others to upskill and achieve outcomes.
• Excellent communication skills – both verbal and written, particularly business writing and reporting i.e., clear, and concise.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Must have lived in a 5Eyes country continuously for a minimum of the last five years*

*5Eyes countries: New Zealand; Australia; United Kingdom; Canada; United States of America

Qualifications

• A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent knowledge, skills, and experience.
• Certification or equivalent qualification or experience in modern automation testing practices.
• Must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Takohanga tuhinga o mua – Key accountabilities and deliverables

Test Management & Delivery

• Takes responsibility for the creation, review and quality control of automation and performance test plans, strategies, and scope for assigned project work streams.
• Adaptive to the changing business needs.
• Provide regular reporting for complex or multiple projects summarising progress and highlighting risks against key test metrics suitable for different stakeholder audiences.
• Identify, prioritise, and proactively suggest mitigations for risks or issues which may threaten quality, automation and performance test delivery or other desired outcomes.
• Estimate, coordinate and manage automation and performance test effort estimations and resources.
• Collaborates with the Capability Leads to support recruitment activities.
• Takes an active involvement to career development of QAT testers by contributing to setting and monitoring formal goals and objectives.
• Define and contribute to identification of appropriate automation approaches and tooling requirements suited to MBIE’s technical and political environments
• Ensure overall automation and performance test coverage is achieved as planned, adopting risk-based approaches as required.
• Lead by example to build a team of technical test professionals with appropriate skills, attitude, and passion to deliver better consistently.

Customer focus

• Identifies the needs or expectations of customers.
• Treats internal customers with the same courtesies they would extend to external customers.
• Works hard to meet customer deadlines.
• Always looks to improve service.
• Maintains professionalism.

Relationship Management

• Participates as an active team member and contributes knowledge and expertise needed to achieve MBIE’s outcomes.
• Develops effective working relationships with other MBIE managers and staff to transfer knowledge and learning from the team to the wider organisation.
• Builds and maintains effective relationships and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, as necessary, to identify and share best practice.
• Represents whole-of-Ministry views and protects its reputation in any external interactions.

Action Oriented

Takes responsibility for own work, recognises opportunities, and acts with a minimum of direction.

• Takes responsibility for own work.
• Self-starter.
• Seeks input if required.
• Recognises and acts on opportunities.
• Enjoys being a team player.

Self-Management

• Model positive behaviours.
• Models the desired values and culture of the organisation.
• Willingly shares knowledge and expertise within the team and others in the organisation.
• Acts with honesty and integrity.
• Welcomes feedback and is receptive to input from others.

Organisational commitment and public service

• Builds commitment to MBIE’s vision, mission, values, and services.
• Willingly undertakes any duty required within the context of the position.
• Complies with all legislative requirements.
• Adheres to the Ministry’s and State Services Commission Codes of Conduct.

Safety and Wellbeing

• Displays commitment through actively supporting all safety and wellbeing initiatives.
• Ensures own and others safety at all times.
• Complies with relevant safety and wellbeing policies, procedures, safe systems of work and event reporting.
• Reports all incidents/accidents, including near misses in a timely fashion.
• Is involved in health and safety through participation and consultation.
• Manages own personal health and safety, and takes appropriate action to deal with workplace hazards, accidents and incidents.

Tō tūranga i roto i te Manatū – Your place in the Ministry

The Principal Test Lead position reports to the Manager – Quality Assurance & Testing within the Digital Solution Delivery branch. The branch sits within the Corporate and Digital Shared Services (CDSS)group.

More information about MBIE’s structure

To mātou aronga – What we do for Aotearoa New Zealand

Hīkina Whakatutuki is the te reo Māori name for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Hīkina means to uplift. Whakatutuki means to move forward, to make successful. Our name speaks to our purpose, Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All.

To Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All, we put people at the heart of our mahi. Based on the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi / The Treaty of Waitangi, we are committed to upholding authentic partnerships with Māori.

As agile public service leaders, we use our breadth and experience to navigate the ever-changing world. We are service providers, policy makers, investors and regulators. We engage with diverse communities, businesses and regions. Our work touches on the daily lives of New Zealanders. We grow opportunities (Puāwai), guard and protect (Kaihāpai) and innovate and navigate towards a better future (Auaha).

Ngā matatau – Our competencies

Cultivates innovation We create new and better ways for the organisation to be successful by challenging the status quo generating new and creative ideas and translating them into workable solutions.

Nimble learning We are curious and actively learn through experimentation when tackling new problems by learning as we go when facing new situations and challenges.

Customer focus We build strong customer relationships and deliver customer-centric solutions by listening and gaining insights into the needs of the communities we serve and actively seeking and responding to feedback.

Decision quality We make quality and timely decisions that shape the future for our communities and keep the organisation moving forward by relying on an appropriate mix of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgement to make valid and reliable decisions.

Action oriented We step up, taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with purpose, urgency and discipline by taking responsibility, ownership and action on challenges, and being accountable for the results.

Collaborates We connect, working together to build partnerships with our communities, working collaboratively to meet shared objectives by gaining trust and support of others; actively seeking the views, experiences, and opinions of others and by working co-operatively with others across MBIE, the public sector and external stakeholder groups.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

As an agency of the public service, MBIE has a responsibility to contribute to the Crown meeting its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Te Tiriti). Meeting our commitment to Te Tiriti will contribute towards us realising the overall aims of Te Ara Amiorangi – Our Path, Our Direction, and achieve the outcome of Growing New Zealand for All. The principles of Te Tiriti - including partnership, good faith, and active protection – are at the core of our work. MBIE is committed to delivering on our obligations as a Treaty partner with authenticity and integrity and to enable Māori interests. We are committed to ensuring that MBIE is well placed to meet our obligations under the Public Service Act 2020 (Te Ao Tūmatanui) to support the Crown in strengthening the Māori/Crown Relationship under the Treaty and to build MBIE’s capability, capacity and cultural intelligence to deliver this.

Mahi i roto i te Ratonga Tūmatanui – Working in the public service

Ka mahitahi mātou o te ratonga tūmatanui kia hei painga mō ngā tāngata o Aotearoa i āianei, ā, hei ngā rā ki tua hoki. He kawenga tino whaitake tā mātou hei tautoko i te Karauna i runga i āna hononga ki a ngāi Māori i raro i te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ka tautoko mātou i te kāwanatanga manapori. Ka whakakotahingia mātou e te wairua whakarato ki ō mātou hapori, ā, e arahina ana mātou e ngā mātāpono me ngā tikanga matua o te ratonga tūmatanui i roto i ā mātou mahi.

In the public service we work collectively to make a meaningful difference for New Zealanders now and in the future. We have an important role in supporting the Crown in its relationships with Māori under the Treaty of Waitangi. We support democratic government. We are unified by a spirit of service to our communities and guided by the core principles and values of the public service in our work.

What does it mean to work in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Public Service?(external link) — Te Kawa Mataaho The Public Service Commission