Sr. Manager, Quality Assurance Teams

GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE JOB:   

This role sits in our Information Technology department and leads Software Test and Software Quality Assurance. The role spearheads the development and implementation of comprehensive test strategies to ensure the delivery of high-quality software products. The primary focus is devising effective test plans, executing rigorous testing procedures, providing insightful analysis of test results and managing external staffing contracts (staff augmentation). The role leads a team of managers and talented test engineers, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement in software testing practices. Additionally, the role collaborates closely with cross-functional teams including Engineering, Production Deployment and Operations, and Quality Assurance to drive quality initiatives throughout the software development lifecycle. The contributions of those role are instrumental in maintaining and enhancing the overall quality and reliability of our system solution and software offerings.

**This position is located in West Des Moines, IA and will need to sit in a hybrid onsite working schedule**

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

People Management

• Partners with leadership to develop and communicate objectives and performance goals for the team.
• Manages direct reports’ performance by coordinating with HR to implement coaching plans and performance improvement plans.
• Assists staff with career development and career progression, along with encouraging candor and challenging the status quo to continuously improve the way we work.
• Develops employee goals to promote career growth that enhances level of knowledge for future opportunities.
• Promotes leadership model to support AEL values.
• Team Leadership – Hires, develops, and retains top talent. Recognizes and rewards team members. Models leadership behaviors and acts as a servant leader to ensure team success.
• Communicates effectively with team, champions and challenges changes with positivity. Owns messaging and decision making. Leads team through ambiguity.

Functional Duties

• Establishes and Enforces Quality Standards: Defines and maintains quality standards for products and processes through testing and materials evaluation.
• Develops and Implements Inspection Standards: Creates and enforces in-process and finished product inspection standards and testing methods.
• Collaborate on Product and Process Design: Works with management, engineers, and technicians to establish product and reliability standards, and contributes to new product designs.
• Maintains Product Quality: Ensures ongoing compliance with quality assurance policies, procedures, and governmental requirements.
• Quality Documentation and Reporting: Develops, updates, and manages quality assurance procedures and documentation, and prepare quality reports by analyzing data.
• Manages Test Strategies and Plans: Develops, documents, and executes comprehensive test strategies and plans for complex multi-system projects.
• Oversees Test Activities: Manages and track testing from functional to full end-to-end system testing, ensuring all solution elements work together seamlessly.
• Communicates and Mitigates Risks: Analyzes and communicates risks and impacts of testing results and provides input on mitigation plans.
• Supports Engineering Teams: Collaborates with engineering teams by providing test results and ensuring timely resolution of issues.
• Develops and Improves QA Programs: Creates and matures strategic QA policies, tools, methodologies, and initiatives, and ensures they are integrated into the project lifecycle.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct Reports:

8-12 comprised of managers and individual contributors

General Description of Indirect Reports (2 and 3-downs): 

20-25 functional testers and specialty testers.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:  

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience; plus, a minimum of eight (8) years of quality assurance experience, working with complex hardware and software products.
• Prior leadership experience is required.
• Experience creating quality standards, tools, and methodologies.
• Extensive familiarity with quality assurance processes and procedures, including the ability to devise methods to enforce quality standards.
• Proven experience in planning and executing end-to-end testing of integrated systems, including validation of the integration layer.
• Experience negotiating and managing both Time & Material (T&M) contracts as well as Managed Service Model (MSM) contracts

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Organizational and Management Skills:
   - Excellent organizational and time management abilities.
   - Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
2. Communication Skills:
   - Professional oral, written, and presentation skills.
   - Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present information effectively and respond to questions.
      - Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work cooperatively with diverse groups.
3. Technical Skills:
   - Strong PC skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Visio, Microsoft Project, Outlook).
   - Extensive knowledge of quality assurance practices and tools (e.g., JIRA, QTest).
4. Customer Focus:
   - Understanding of what drives a valued customer experience.
   - Strong customer service orientation.
5. Leadership and Collaboration:
   - Ability to work collaboratively with leaders at all levels across the organization.
   - Excellent leadership skills and ability to drive alignment towards common goals.
      - Experience in leading change and adapting to changing business priorities and environments.
6. Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills:
   - Strong analytical skills with the ability to think critically.
   - Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
7. Adaptability:
   - Ability to embrace change and adapt to changing business priorities and environments.
8. Reading and Interpretation Skills:
   - Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.

Overall, the role requires a well-rounded individual with a strong balance of technical expertise, leadership, communication, and customer-centric skills.