[Hiring] Test Lead @ES Talent Management

Role Description

We are seeking an experienced Test Lead to own and lead the end‑to‑end testing strategy for a large, multi‑country enterprise programme. This is a client‑side, programme‑level role, accountable for ensuring the solution is fit for purpose, payroll‑safe, and ready for go‑live across all countries and workstreams. The Test Lead will provide governance, direction, and assurance across all testing phases, working closely with country teams, payroll specialists, system integrators, and programme leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Define, own, and maintain the end‑to‑end test strategy covering:
  • System Integration Testing (SIT)
  • User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
  • Payroll validation / parallel runs (where applicable)
  • Regression and end‑to‑end (E2E) testing
• Agree test scope, entry/exit criteria, and phase gates per country and release.
• Ensure testing aligns to the global design while supporting controlled local variations.
• Align test cycles with data migration, integrations, cutover, and deployment planning.
• Build and manage the integrated test plan and schedule across all countries.
• Coordinate testing activities across:
  • Country SMEs and super‑users
  • Payroll teams
  • Integration and data teams
  • System integrators and third‑party vendors
• Lead test status reporting, defect triage sessions, and executive escalation.
• Provide clear Go / No‑Go recommendations from a testing and payroll‑risk perspective.
• Own the defect management process, including:
  • Severity and priority classification
  • Coordination of root‑cause analysis with relevant teams
  • Verification of fixes and regression impact
• Ensure quality gates are met before progression between test phases and country releases.
• Oversee validation of:
  • End‑to‑end system integrations
  • Parallel payroll runs and payroll‑critical processes (where in scope)
• Ensure all payroll‑impacting scenarios are explicitly tested, evidenced, and formally signed off.
• Ensure each country:
  • Executes testing consistently and in line with programme standards
  • Completes formal test sign‑off
  • Achieves operational readiness from a testing perspective
• Feed testing outcomes into cutover planning and overall go‑live readiness assessments.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Test Lead or Test Manager on large, multi‑country enterprise programmes.
• Strong background in payroll, HR, finance, or ERP system implementations.
• Demonstrable experience managing SIT, UAT, payroll validation, and E2E testing.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills across business, vendors, and technical teams.
• Strong governance mindset with the confidence to challenge readiness and risk.
• Experience operating in complex, matrixed programme environments.
• Experience with global template rollouts and country‑by‑country deployments.
• Prior involvement in payroll parallel runs or payroll‑critical transformations.
• Familiarity with integration‑heavy landscapes and data migration testing.