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# Test Lead

- **Company:** Hastings Insurance Services Limited
- **Location:** Leicester, UK
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Software as a Service, Continuous Integration, Rule Engine, Performance Testing, Backend
- **Published:** September 4, 2026
- **Apply:** https://hastingsdirect.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/external_careers/job/Leicester/Test-Lead_60013116-1

## About the Role

* Experience personally owning end-to-end testing across multiple systems.
 * Strong hands-on UI, API, backend and data-testing capability.
 * The confidence to listen, influence and challenge stakeholders and suppliers constructively.
 * The ability to communicate technical quality risks clearly.

 * The ability to learn complex customer journeys, systems and business processes quickly.
 * Adaptability across different projects, delivery approaches and levels of test maturity.

Desirable

 * Financial services, lending or another regulated environment.
 * Supplier-hosted platforms and third-party integrations.
 * Cloud-based applications and CI/CD.
 * Decision engines, workflow systems or complex digital journeys.
 * Performance or other non-functional testing.

We need someone who:

 * Takes ownership and acts without waiting for every detail to be provided.
 * Is bright, curious and enthusiastic about understanding how things work.
 * Brings energy and momentum while remaining thorough and evidence-led.
 * Works well in a small team and is willing to operate beyond narrow role boundaries.
 * Listens to different perspectives but has the strength of character to challenge when needed.
 * Communicates clearly, particularly when the message is difficult.
 * Remains pragmatic and calm when priorities or circumstances change.
 * Looks for better ways of working rather than accepting inefficient processes.

This role will suit someone who wants to shape and own a testing capability while remaining hands-on. It will not suit someone looking primarily to manage a test team or work within an already mature QA function.

## Description

* Own test planning, execution, evidence, defect triage and reporting.
 * Test across customer-facing journeys, APIs, integrations and data.
 * Build maintainable automated smoke and regression coverage.
 * Coordinate testing by business SMEs and technology suppliers.
 * Assess coverage and residual risk, making clear release recommendations.
 * Improve testing maturity without introducing unnecessary bureaucracy.


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