Head of Test

Manchester Airport plc.; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading airport operations firm is looking for a Head of Test based in Manchester to provide strategic leadership for testing and quality assurance across all projects. This pivotal role involves leading a team of up to 20 test engineers to ensure that technology deliverables meet high-quality standards. The ideal candidate will have extensive expertise in testing complex systems, proficiency in automation tools like Selenium and CI/CD pipelines, and proven leadership skills to foster high-performing teams. This position supports flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Free parking

Subsidised public transport

Company discounts

Volunteering days

Free Virtual GP service

Care Concierge service

Qualifications

• Extensive testing expertise, leading complex systems.
• Technical proficiency in automation frameworks.
• Experience in hybrid cloud and SaaS environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead testing and quality assurance for MagTech projects.
• Shape testing strategy and embed best practices.
• Drive automation and work with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Testing of complex systems

Automation frameworks

CI/CD pipelines

Team leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Continuous improvement

Tools

Selenium

Cypress

JUnit

TestNG

Jenkins

Azure DevOps

GitLab CI

Job description

Based at Manchester, Stansted or East Midlands Airport
Permanent Role
Office or Flexible/Hybrid working for a better work/life balance
We are proud to be a diverse employer, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds.

Why MAG?

At MAG we provide the airport facilities and travel services that people need to connect with the world. As the largest UK‑owned airport operator, we serve over 60 million passengers a year from Manchester, London Stansted, and East Midlands Airports. With over 270 destinations across the globe, our businesses not only bring people together but also support the prosperity of the regions in which we operate.

We know that creating a first‑class journey for our customers starts with creating a first‑class career journey for our colleagues. That’s why we’re committed to building inclusive environments in which our people can thrive.

You’ll also have access to some great benefits including:

• Free parking
• Subsidised public transport
• Huge range of company discounts
• 2 volunteering days per year
• Free Virtual GP service, available 24/7
• Care Concierge service

The role

As Head of Test, you will play a pivotal leadership role within MAG Tech, providing the strategic direction for testing and quality assurance across all MagTech projects. Leading a team of up to 20 test engineers, you’ll ensure our technology deliverables meet the highest quality standards and support our ambition to deliver seamless, secure, and innovative airport operations.

Reporting directly to the Chief Technology Officer, you will shape testing strategy, embed best practice methodologies, drive automation, and work closely with engineering, product and business partners to ensure testing is integrated effectively throughout the development lifecycle.

What will make you successful in the role?

We’re looking for an experienced testing leader who brings a blend of technical expertise, strategic capability, and team‑oriented leadership.

You’ll bring:

• Extensive testing expertise, with a strong background leading testing of complex systems and implementing modern testing methodologies.
• Technical proficiency across automation frameworks and tools such as Selenium, Cypress, JUnit, TestNG and CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, Azure DevOps, GitLab CI).
• Experience with hybrid cloud and SaaS environments, understanding their specific testing challenges and opportunities.
• Strong automation and CI/CD mindset, with the ability to design, implement and optimise automated test suites.
• Leadership and people‑management strengths, with evidence of developing and motivating high‑performing test teams.
• Capability development, including building internal testing expertise and fostering knowledge‑sharing.
• The ability to devise and execute testing plans for highly regulated and national critical infrastructure projects, enabling rapid and regular high-quality releases into production
• Clear stakeholder engagement skills, working effectively with software engineering, solution architecture, service operations and change teams.
• Robust risk‑management and analytical skills, enabling strong decision‑making on defect prioritisation, release readiness and quality governance.
• A commitment to continuous improvement, staying ahead of new technologies, tools and testing approaches.

Equal Opportunities & Reasonable Adjustments

At MAG we believe in the importance of diversity & inclusion for all. We are committed to creating a workforce that is reflective of our society and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We’re also committed to wellbeing, with a strong focus on mental health and supporting underrepresented groups through our Colleague Resource Groups.