Test Lead / Test Manager – AI Delivery

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Test Lead / Test Manager to lead end-to-end testing across a portfolio of technology and business change initiatives, with a strong focus on AI-enabled delivery. This role will be responsible for defining and driving testing strategy, governance, quality assurance, and delivery assurance across multiple projects in fast-paced environments.

The successful candidate will bring a strong background in traditional and modern testing practices, combined with experience working in organisations where AI is being leveraged to deliver change. This individual will play a key role in helping shape the organisation’s approach to AI governance, testing controls, and risk management.

This will be working with one of our Investment Management clients and the successful candidate will have worked for a Wealth Management/Investment Management or Financial setting.

Long term contract – Inside IR35.

3 days per week working in our clients state of the art London offices.

Key Responsibilities

Test Leadership & Delivery

• Lead and manage end-to-end testing activities across multiple concurrent projects and programmes.
• Define and implement clear test plans, governance frameworks, delivery milestones, and reporting structures.
• Coordinate testing across functional, integration, regression, UAT, automation, and non-functional testing streams.
• Ensure testing activities are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned to business objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement across testing processes, standards, and delivery practices.

AI-Enabled Test Strategy

• Define and implement test strategies for AI-driven change initiatives.
• Establish testing approaches covering automation, AI model validation, data quality, model risk, bias monitoring, and governance controls.
• Develop clear success criteria and assurance measures for AI-enabled solutions.
• Ensure safe and responsible AI usage through appropriate controls, human oversight, and auditability.
• Work closely with technical and business teams to embed quality and governance into AI delivery lifecycles.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the single point of accountability for testing delivery across assigned programmes/projects.
• Provide clear and concise status reporting, risk assessments, defect management updates, and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Build strong relationships with programme managers, delivery leads, developers, business analysts, and operational teams.
• Facilitate governance forums, test checkpoints, and quality assurance reviews.

Quality Assurance & Risk Management

• Apply pragmatic, risk-based testing approaches to ensure delivery quality while maintaining pace.
• Manage defect triage, prioritisation, escalation, and resolution processes effectively.
• Identify delivery risks early and implement mitigation strategies to protect business outcomes.
• Ensure appropriate testing evidence, controls, and governance documentation are maintained.
• Promote a quality-first culture across delivery teams.

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven experience operating as a Test Lead or Test Manager within complex change and transformation environments.
• Strong experience delivering end-to-end testing across multiple projects/programmes simultaneously.
• Experience working in environments where AI is used to deliver business or technology change.
• Strong understanding of AI-related testing considerations including data quality, model validation, automation, governance, and risk management.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently at senior leadership level.
• Strong knowledge of test methodologies, defect management, governance, and quality assurance frameworks.
• Experience working within Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid delivery environments.
• Ability to work autonomously and lead testing functions in fast-paced delivery settings.

Desirable Experience

• Experience establishing or contributing to AI governance frameworks.
• Knowledge of automation testing tools and modern QA practices.
• Exposure to regulated environments or risk-controlled industries.
• Relevant testing certifications (ISTQB, Agile Testing, etc.) desirable.

Personal Attributes

• Strong leadership and decision-making capability.
• Pragmatic and solutions-focused approach.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills.
• Comfortable operating in evolving and ambiguous environments.
• Strong attention to detail with a focus on delivery quality and business outcomes.