Test Lead 49,452 pa

We're looking for a skilled and motivated Test Lead to join our team and play a key role in ensuring the quality and reliability of our systems and services. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with strong technical testing experience and leadership capabilities to shape and deliver robust testing strategies across a variety of platforms and technologies. As a Test Lead, you'll be responsible for designing and implementing effective test approaches for a range of IT projects, from internal business applications to customer facing services. You'll work closely with delivery teams to ensure that all software releases meet the highest standards of quality, performance, and accessibility.

Technology is central to how we operate and deliver value across the organisation. Our IT department is fast-paced and collaborative, supporting a wide range of services that help us meet the needs of our staff, members, and visitors. You'll be part of a team that's passionate about innovation, continuous improvement, and delivering high-quality solutions.

Your contractual location will be our head office in Swindon, with flexibility to work remotely for part of the week. You'll be expected to work from a National Trust location for 40-60% of your time, which will be discussed further at interview.

What you'll be doing

You'll lead testing activities across multiple projects, providing both strategic direction and hands-on expertise in manual and automated testing. Working within delivery teams, you'll collaborate with Product Owners, Delivery Managers, developers, and other stakeholders to define quality criteria, assess risk, and plan appropriate test coverage.

You'll champion modern testing practices, including shift-left testing, continuous integration, and test automation. Your role will involve designing and executing test plans, building automation frameworks, and ensuring compliance with accessibility and data protection standards.

As a key member of the Testing Community of Practice, you'll contribute to the development of testing standards and share your knowledge to help improve testing across the organisation. You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don't need to have all of the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture of what's possible in this role.

Who we're looking for

You'll bring a broad range of the following knowledge, skills and experience, shaped by different roles, sectors or career paths, and the judgment to apply them effectively at scale. We'd love to hear from you if you have experience in:

• Leading end-to-end test delivery, from planning through to sign-off.
• Managing testing across multiple platforms, products, or teams.
• Forecasting resource needs and building effective test teams.
• Turning requirements into realistic test plans and estimates.
• Defining and reporting on meaningful quality metrics.
• Managing testing risks, issues, and dependencies.
• Building strong relationships with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

The package

The National Trust has the motto 'For everyone, for ever' at its heart. We're working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It's important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we're for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.

National Trust place

Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon, SN2 2NA

Documents

Test Lead - Grade 5.pdf

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Additional information

Closing Date: 16 August 2026

Equal Opportunities Statement

The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here.

Safeguarding Statement

The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.