Lead QAT Analyst

This is a Hybrid Role and can be based out of the below locations:

Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Manchester, Telford, Worthing, Stratford

About The Job Job summary

This is an exciting time to be involved in QAT Analysis work which drives and delivers change to the Borders and Trade (B&T) business area.

Job Description

The Borders and Trade Delivery Group are responsible for the end-to-end service management and development of over 140 separate services from the generation of Trade Statistics to the administration of Customs and Excise duties.

This is a superb opportunity to join HMRC's IT function Chief Digital Information Office (CDIO) which sets the technology direction for HMRC and delivers the high-level design for all IT solutions across the Organisation. CDIO is responsible for building and running HMRC IT services along with providing IT change and operational support. As a Lead QAT Analyst in HMRC's CDIO Borders and Trade Delivery Group you can be part of our mission to transform the UK's Borders & Trade landscape.

You will play a vital role in ensuring the seamless functioning of our innovative customs systems, contributing to the efficient administration of trade statistics, customs duties, and excise duties.

A lead QAT analyst sets the strategy for test analysis, establishing standards and methods. They are accountable and responsible for activities at high risk.

At This Role Level, You Will:

• Take a strategic view of quality assurance and testing, balancing business objectives with operational delivery needs.
• Lead and manage teams, resources, and priorities to ensure successful delivery outcomes.
• Coach, mentor, and develop team members, supporting capability growth and professional development.
• Lead, manage and deliver quality assurance and testing activities across multiple products, projects, or programmes.
• Lead the QAT practise, focusing on complex problem solving and influencing senior team members.
• Act as a recognised subject matter expert in one or more testing disciplines, providing technical leadership and guidance.
• Provide expert advice and assurance to project teams and stakeholders on quality risks, testing approaches, and release readiness.

Also, as a Lead QAT Analyst at HMRC, you'll define and lead on how the testing will work and advise on the organisation wide technical test approach.

You are responsible for selecting appropriate tools and techniques to evaluate user experience and for functional and non-functional testing of systems, products, services or devices. Checking operational systems, products, services, or devices for changes in usability and accessibility needs. You will validate that security, usability and accessibility requirements have been met.

You will interpret and present results of evaluations, prioritise issues and report on remedial actions.

Collate input for future user research.

You'll help other teams on an ad-hoc basis. In your role with us, you'll be part of a diverse and empowered team, and helped to continue your development as a respected member of the technology industry.

A CDIO B&T Lead QAT Analyst is responsible for test improvement and optimisation, manage test capabilities and resources, and manage internal Test Managers and Test Analysts and work with other teams and external resources including contingent labour and supplier teams for Test delivery of Borders & Trade projects.

As part of Test Guild, you will provide comprehensive testing support for development of new and existing systems across multiple platforms and locations and live services, updates, improvements. Your role will involve managing comprehensive testing activities, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and leading the QA practice, focusing on complex problem solving and influencing team members and stakeholders.

Person specification Key Responsibilities:

As Lead QAT Analyst, you will be expected to:

• Lead, manage and deliver quality assurance and testing activities across multiple products, projects, or programmes.
• Define and implement testing strategies, standards, and best practices to ensure a consistent and effective approach to quality assurance across products and services.
• Act as a recognised subject matter expert in one or more testing disciplines, providing expert technical advice and guidance to project teams and stakeholders.
• Lead, manage, coach, and mentor staff, supporting capability development and fostering a high-performing testing community.
• Evaluate and promote appropriate testing tools, techniques, and approaches to support both functional and non-functional testing activities.
• Analyse, interpret, and communicate test outcomes and quality metrics, ensuring risks, issues, and recommendations are clearly understood by stakeholders.
• Champion continuous improvement, automation, and quality engineering practices, and the adoption of modern testing approaches across delivery teams.

Main Core Duties: At This Role Level, You Will:

• Lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of quality assurance and testing activities across multiple products, projects, and programmes.
• Define and continuously improve testing strategies, standards, and quality engineering practices, ensuring consistency, standardisation, and alignment with Test Guild processes.
• Drive the implementation and adoption of test automation, and CI/CD practices, ensuring quality is embedded throughout the software development lifecycle.
• Evaluate, select, and promote appropriate testing tools and frameworks to support functional and non-functional testing.
• Analyse and communicate test outcomes, quality metrics, risks, and issues, providing assurance and recommendations on release readiness.
• Manage, coach, and mentor staff, supporting capability development and building high-performing teams.
• Build effective relationships with delivery teams, stakeholders, and supplier teams to ensure successful delivery and continuous improvement of quality outcomes.

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate practical knowledge and experience in the following:

• Experience leading technical / product teams across a portfolio of projects within Agile delivery environments, driving continuous improvement of services, processes, and procedures, and supporting delivery using cloud-based and modern technologies.
• Experience across the full Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), including the development and implementation of test strategies, test approaches, and quality frameworks.
• Experience managing, and developing teams, including coaching and mentoring staff.
• Experience with test automation, testing tools, and CI/CD practices, including integrating automated testing into delivery pipelines.
• Experience establishing quality metrics and reporting frameworks, supporting governance activities, monitoring delivery risks, and providing assurance insights to stakeholders.
• Experience influencing stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams to drive quality outcomes and continuous improvement.

Additional Security Information

Please note candidates must have, or be willing to obtain SC level security clearance.

Alongside your salary of £58,541, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £16,959 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.

We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.

• Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues' Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary.
• Family friendly policies.
• Personal support.
• Coaching and development.

To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it's really like to work for HMRC hear from our insiders or visit Thinking of joining the Civil Service

Sift

In the event of a large number of applications being received, an initial sift may be held on your CV.

At full sift your CV and your Personal Statement will be assessed, with the successful candidates being invited to interview.

We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.

Interview

During the panel interview, you will be asked Experience based questions to assess how your skills, knowledge and experience align with the requirements of the role.

Interviews will take place virtually via video link.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Hybrid working at HMRC

HMRC is an office-based organisation, and colleagues are expected to spend 60% of their working time in the office. Our offices provide opportunity for interaction, collaboration which aids learning and development and a sense of community. Where the role allows it, and where the home environment is suitable, colleagues can work from home for up to 2 days a week, averaged over a calendar month (or a proportionate amount of time for colleagues who work less than full time).