Test Lead (Payments) - #2072418

Test Lead / Test Manager – Payments (Contract)

• Global financial services client
• Contract role inside ir35
• Hybrid work from Sheffield

We’re supporting a Financial Services client on a series of UK payments transformation initiatives, and are looking for an experienced Test Lead / Test Manager to own and drive end-to-end testing across complex change programmes.

About the Role:

This is a hands-on Test Lead role where you’ll take ownership of the test strategy, planning, and execution across multiple payments initiatives. You’ll be working across end-to-end testing cycles, covering functional, integration, UAT, and non-functional testing, while coordinating across delivery teams, vendors, and business stakeholders.

The role sits at the centre of a complex ecosystem, involving APIs, middleware, third-party integrations, and payment processing systems, ensuring solutions are delivered safely, compliantly, and to a high standard. You’ll play a key role in embedding quality, governance, and best practices across the delivery lifecycle.

What You Need:

• Proven experience as a Test Lead / Test Manager within banking or financial services
• Strong knowledge of UK payments (Faster Payments, CHAPS, Bacs, SWIFT)
• Experience leading end-to-end testing across integration-heavy systems (APIs, middleware, distributed platforms)
• Strong skills in test strategy, planning, estimation, and delivery governance
• Experience managing defects, test data, environments, and UAT processes
• Ability to work across multiple stakeholders (business, tech, vendors) and drive delivery
• Familiarity with tools such as Jira, Confluence, Zephyr/ALM
• Understanding of automation and CI/CD testing practices

Nice to Have:

• Experience with ISO 20022 migration or SWIFT messaging standards
• Exposure to performance, resilience, or security testing
• Knowledge of SQL, data validation, and message formats (XML/JSON)
• Relevant certifications (e.g. ISTQB, Agile)

Interested?

Please reach out or apply if this role is of interest happy to share more detail on the programme and team. Must be 3 days per week In the Sheffield office, inside ir35 only.