Testing Manager (Telecommunications/CRM Integration)

Position Overview

• Engagement: Contract / Consulting – Immediate Start

• Duration: 3 months (with extension subject to programme requirements)

• Location: Remote / Hybrid (Cape Town) – with travel to client site (Johannesburg) as required

We are seeking an experienced Testing Manager to lead the system integration testing (SIT) and client-side UAT programme for a major telecommunications client. This is a senior, hands-on role requiring the ability to set testing strategy, build and execute test plans across manual and automated testing workstreams, and manage the relationship with the client’s business and IT teams.

The role is critical to programme delivery, acting as the primary point of accountability for test quality, defect governance, and readiness for go-live. 

Context

The programme involves the delivery of a custom-built portal integrated with CRM, Offer Engine, middleware, and multiple client back-end systems. It is currently in active recovery, targeting Technical Go-Live in May 2026 and Commercial Go-Live in June 2026.

Testing Scope Includes:

• End-to-end SIT across portal Add and Modify journeys (16+ scenarios)

• Integration testing with CRM, middleware, and downstream fulfillment systems

• Regression and smoke testing following development sprints and hotfix deployments

• Management of client business and IT UAT, including environment readiness and defect triage

• Automation framework setup and execution using Playwright

• Defect management, prioritisation, and daily reporting

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy & Planning: Define overall test strategy for SIT and UAT; produce the Master Test Plan; establish environment requirements; and define automation strategy.

• SIT Execution: Lead and coordinate the internal QA team; own the full SIT cycle; manage test case design in Jira; and drive the Playwright regression suite.

• Client UAT Management: Serve as primary liaison for business stakeholders; facilitate UAT sessions; manage environment stability; and track execution and sign-off status.

• Defect Governance: Own the defect lifecycle; run daily triage; escalate Severity 1 blockers; and enforce the scope control framework.

• Reporting: Maintain testing dashboards; provide daily written status updates; and prepare test readiness summaries for GO/NO GO gate reviews.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Experience: 8+ years in software testing, with 3+ years in a Management or Lead role on enterprise custom development programmes.

• Industry Knowledge: Proven experience in the telecommunications industry (fixed line, broadband, or converged services).

• Technical Breadth: Experience testing complex CRM or BSS/OSS integrations; background in both manual and automated testing (Playwright, Selenium, or equivalent).

• Tools: Hands-on experience with Jira and proficiency in SQL for database validation.

• Skills: API and middleware integration testing (REST, SOAP, ESB); familiarity with CI/CD pipelines.

Personal Attributes

• Client-facing presence: Able to build trust and manage difficult conversations professionally.

• Assertive and structured: Comfortable pushing back on scope creep and holding the line on readiness criteria.

• Calm under pressure: Ability to maintain structure during an accelerated, high-stakes recovery delivery.

• Self-managing: Able to operate with limited supervision in a fast-paced consulting environment.

Please note: when applying for this role, a brief note on your most relevant engagement is required.