Test Manager

The purpose of the Digital Services Unit is to support business units to improve customer service, community outcomes and organisational performance. They committed to enabling community and organisational outcomes through better digital means. 

But it's not just about technology; it's about people – fostering a culture of problem solving, proactivity, and agility. 

He angituutanga: The opportunity 

We’re transforming how we deliver digital services for our people and our community, and we need a Test Manager to strengthen Digital Services’ delivery maturity, drive continuous improvement, and ensure that our technology investments are robust and fit for purpose.

In this newly established role, you will define and champion a single, systems wide testing framework that underpins all digital platforms across Council. Your work will enable faster, safer delivery of technology change and strengthen the stability, reliability, and performance of the systems our city relies on.

This is an opportunity for a hands‑on testing leader who is passionate about building capability, embedding automation, and driving consistent, scalable testing excellence.

In this role you will:

• Develop Hamilton City Council’s testing strategy, standards, templates, and governance processes.
• Define a systems wide testing framework and ensure it is adopted, maintained, and continuously improved.
• Embed manual and automated testing practices across all delivery pipelines.
• Oversee test planning and execution for ERP, HRIS, Regulatory, Experience, Apps, and Data platforms.
• Ensure UAT is structured, traceable, and well‑supported, giving business owners confidence in release readiness.
• Reduce defect rates and improve production stability through strong early‑stage risk identification.
• Create and maintain reusable regression suites, automation libraries, test cases, and test data.
• Integrate automated testing into Azure DevOps CI/CD pipelines.
• Ensure all test artefacts are version‑controlled and retained internally, building lasting organisational capability.
• Participate directly in system testing to ensure solutions meet requirements.
• Perform test case design, execution, defect management, and automation scripting.
• Plan and deliver all test phases, including unit, integration, system, regression, performance, accessibility, and security testing.
• Guide and mentor developers, analysts, and embedded testers in effective test practices.
• Support business teams through UAT and acceptance criteria definition.
• Provide direction and quality oversight to contract resources and external partners.
• Work closely with Product Owners, Platform Managers, the ITSM Lead, and the Change Advisory Board (CAB).
• Partner with change managers to ensure testing supports successful digital adoption.
• Use Servicely, Azure DevOps, and Power BI to report progress, readiness, and defect trends.
• Run post‑implementation reviews and turn learnings into actionable improvements.
• Ensure vendor testing aligns with HCC standards and accountability measures.

You bring a mindset of curiosity, growth, and continuous improvement and you actively work at being the best version of yourself. Your behaviour influences others positively, and you thrive in environments where collaboration, trust, and shared purpose matter.

Oo puumanawa me oo wheako | Your skills and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field or equivalent capability gained through significant experience.
• 7+ years in testing and quality assurance, including at least 3 years in a test-lead or management capacity.
• ISTQB Advanced Test Manager (or equivalent) preferred; ISTQB Foundation required (or obtained within 6 months).
• Relevant Agile, DevOps, or CI/CD certification desirable.
• Familiarity with tools such as Playwright, Cypress, Selenium, JMeter, and OWASP ZAP; and with Power BI for reporting.
• Strong hands-on testing capability across functional, integration, and regression test phases.
• Proven experience developing and maintaining automated test frameworks and CI/CD integrations.
• Skilled at coordinating contractors and vendor testers to deliver consistent quality outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, execute, and report on testing for complex multi-system environments (ERP, SaaS, integrations).
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and governance skills, with the ability to influence peers and leaders.
• Experience establishing test environments, data sets, and automation pipelines using Azure DevOps (or similar).
• Vendor management experience including test evidence review and compliance with agreed standards.
• Understanding of non-functional testing (performance, security, accessibility) with practical application.
• The tech world is ever evolving. Experience in being receptive to changes and agile in adapting to new technologies or methodologies is crucial.
• Experience in collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless execution of projects.

He aha te wariu o te utu kaimahi? | What’s the salary? 

Circa $125K dependent on skills and experience.

Ngaa waahi whakarato painga kei a maatou: What we offer 

• Flexible by choice; an award-winning flexible working policy.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Two Wellbeing days per year.
• Free health insurance through Unimed including hospital/surgery grade cover and discounted. membership rates for family members.
• Free annual health checks and flu vaccination.
• Ability to purchase additional annual leave.
• Eye testing/glasses cost reimbursement.
• Discounted purchases from local businesses; gym memberships, cafes, dentists, hairdressers and many more.

Me Tono Inaaianei!: Apply Now! 

• View the position description.
• Click apply
• ​Complete your application.

If you wish to include a cover letter with your application, please combine this in the same file as your resume and upload as a PDF file. Alternatively, you can use the 'Write a message to the Hiring Team' text box.

Applications close on the: 12/02/2026

Note: We will be shortlisting as we receive applications.

Council is committed to honouring the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi through its relationship with Kiingitanga, Waikato Tainui, mana whenua and maataa waka within Hamilton Kirikiriroa.

All candidates will be notified of the outcome on their application via email. Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required when relevant to the role. View more information about these checks, our commitment to the Privacy act and details for international applicants by clicking here

It is important to us that we support you throughout our selection process (interview and assessments). If you have any access needs during this process, let us know in advance so we can make sure these are met.

As a council, we believe in creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and belongs. We value inclusiveness (Kotahitanga) – we respect and value the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents that everyone brings.

This role is being sourced directly. If/where Hamilton City Council requires the support of a recruitment agency, we will seek this support from our panel of selected agencies. Hamilton City Council will not be responsible for, and will not pay, any commissions, fees or other payments related to unsolicited contact.