Test Manager

Tēnei tūranga – About the role

Reporting to the Capability Lead Test Analysis, this position is a specialist role with the purpose of managing test delivery and testing services across Quality Engineering projects throughout Digital Data and Insights (DDI).  The Test Manager will be responsible for defining the test strategy, test approach and test process across multiple work streams for large complex programmes.

This involves:

• Planning, coordination and control of overall end-to-end testing activities, efforts from test planning phase to test closure.
• Ensure test deliverables are met the standards and follows the quality controls in place as set byDDI Test Practice.
• Provide strategic advice on the direction of test practice, Quality Engineering disciplines within the DDI practice and those delivering software for MBIE.
• Ensuring the practices takes into account MBIE’s standard frameworks for risk management, security, disaster recovery, investment planning, workforce impacts, reporting and accountability.
• Driving DevOps approaches (where applicable) and ensure alignment with MBIE frameworks.
• Ensure that MBIE maintains best practice alignment with the ICT industry, GCIO, other agencies and wider government initiatives.
• Spot the Quality problems early enough to mitigate potential risks that threaten the value of outcomes desired to achieve. 

Key relationships:

• Customer Delivery Managers.
• Solution Delivery leadership teams.
• Test Team.
• Commercial Performance team.
• Vendor delivery relationships. 

Ngā herenga – Requirements of the role

Personal specifications

• In depth knowledge and 10+ years’ experience in Software Testing and at least 5 years of experience in Test planning, leading, managing test teams & test delivery.
• Ability to design Test strategy and define overall Test scope for enterprise level projects with right level of documentation.
• 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.
• 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.
• Understanding and ability to create Visual Test models with useful, accurate, timely information.
• Ability to set Quality standards and to manage, monitor right quality controls are in place to validate Test deliverables received from Vendors.
• Demonstrated experience in leading continuous improvement to enhance ICT performance.
• Understanding of government operating and decision-making procedures.
• 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.
• Excellent communication skills – both verbal and written particularly business writing and reporting i.e., clear and concise.
• Excellent Organizational skills, with proven ability to track and support test delivery for multiple projects. 

Qualifications

• A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent knowledge, skills, and experience.
• Strong Advocate of Agile and DevOps delivery methodology, working experience is desired.
• Certification or equivalent qualification or experience in modern testing practices.
• Must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand. 

Takohanga tuhinga o mua – Key accountabilities and deliverables

Responsibilities of this position are expected to change over time as the Ministry responds to changing needs.  The incumbent will need the flexibility to adapt and develop as the environment evolves. 

Test management and delivery

• Takes responsibility for the creation and review of Test plan, Test Strategy and Test scope for projects assigned, be adaptive to the changing business needs.
• Take responsibility for the development, implementation and ongoing refinement of a fit for purpose Test Artefacts across the projects.
• Ensure the defined business outcomes are achieved for the projects through timely test delivery by being customer centric.
• Identify and prioritize risks which may threaten Quality, Test Delivery or desired Outcomes.
• Estimate, coordinate and manage Test effort estimations and resources.
• Define & contribute to the Automation approach, tooling requirements to ensure applications are tested early and often.
• Ensure, Overall Test coverage is achieved as planned
• Construct a Team of Test professionals with appropriate skills, attitude and passion to deliver better consistently. 

Customer focus

Delivers a targeted service to internal and external stakeholders. Works to a high standard and always looks for ways to do things better.

• 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

Manage constructive working relationships with work colleagues and external stakeholders to enhance understanding and cooperation needed to achieve desired results.

• 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 in order 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, in order to identify and share best practice information and to promote the Ministry, its products and services.
• 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. 

Self-management

Takes responsibility for own behaviour and is open to development.

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

Organisational commitment and public service

Role model the standards of Integrity and Conduct for the State Services.

• Builds commitment to MBIE’s vision, mission, values and services.
• Willingly undertakes any duty required within the context of the position.
• Manages own personal health and safety, and takes appropriate action to deal with workplace hazards, accidents and incidents.
• Complies with all legislative requirements.
• Adheres to the Ministry’s and State Services Commission Codes of Conduct. 

Safety and wellbeing

Manage own personal health and safety, and take appropriate action to deal with workplace hazards, accidents and incidents.

• Displaying commitment through actively supporting all safety and wellbeing initiatives.
• Ensuring all staff/colleagues maintain adequate safety standards on the job through consultation, training and supervision.
• Ensuring own and others’ safety at all times.
• Complying with relevant safety and wellbeing policies, procedures, safe systems of work and event reporting.
• Reporting all incidents/accidents, including near misses in a timely fashion.
• Being involved in health and safety through participation and consultation.
• Participating in safety and wellbeing activities.
• Demonstrating support of staff/colleagues to maintain safe systems of work.
• Complying with relevant safety and wellbeing policies, procedures and event reporting. 

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

The Test Manager position reports into the Capability Lead Test Analysis within the Digital Solution Delivery branch. The branch sits within the Digital Data and Insights 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