Test Lead, Testing Services, Divisional

The Testing Services team defines testing strategy, standards, tooling, and governance, and provides testing capability across projects and BAU change within Pacific Life Re (PL Re). We are seeking an experienced Test Lead to join the Testing Services team with a strong focus on automation testing. The role is responsible for leading the planning, coordination, and execution of testing activities across assigned applications or initiatives, driving increased automation coverage and ensuring high-quality, repeatable testing outcomes aligned to Testing Services standards. The Test Lead will work closely with the Testing Services Manager, project teams, and third-party partners, acting as the primary point of contact for testing execution, readiness, and defect management.

Key Responsibilities Test Delivery & Execution Lead end-to-end test delivery for assigned initiatives, ensuring testing activities are effectively planned, executed, and reported in line with Testing Services standards. Coordinate testing across multiple test phases, including system testing, integration testing, and support for User Acceptance Testing. Oversee defect management activities, ensuring timely logging, triage, and resolution in collaboration with delivery and support teams. Provide clear and accurate test status, risk, and readiness reporting to stakeholders. Contribute to release and deployment readiness activities by providing informed testing input and assurance.

Automation Testing Lead the execution and adoption of automation testing within assigned initiatives, in line with Testing Services strategy, standards, and tooling. Identify suitable test scenarios for automation and drive increased automation coverage across the assigned application or delivery area. Work closely with developers, automation engineers, vendors, and platform teams to ensure automated tests are robust, maintainable, and fit for purpose. Support the integration of automated tests into delivery pipelines where applicable. Continuously improve automation effectiveness, execution efficiency, and test reliability.

Test Planning & Governance Produce and maintain test plans, schedules, and estimates aligned to Testing Services governance and delivery frameworks. Ensure test artefacts (test cases, scripts, evidence, reports) are complete, accurate, and audit-ready. Adhere to defined testing standards, controls, and approval processes. Contribute to continuous improvement by capturing lessons learned and enhancing test processes and ways of working.

Stakeholder & Team Collaboration Act as the primary testing point of contact for project and workstream stakeholders, providing clear communication on progress, risks, and dependencies. Work closely with business analysts, developers, infrastructure teams, and third-party suppliers to coordinate testing activities. Provide direction and support to test analysts and contract resources engaged on delivery. Escalate risks and issues appropriately, with clear options and recommendations.

Do you have experience in Waterfall?, Testing certifications (e.g. ISTQB / ISEB). Strong experience in software testing, with proven experience in a Test Lead or Senior Test Analyst role. Demonstrable experience leading and delivering automation testing initiatives. Solid understanding of the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and the role of testing within it. Experience working across Agile and Waterfall delivery approaches. Hands-on experience with test management and defect tracking tools (e.g. Zephyr, JIRA). Experience coordinating testing activities across third-party delivery teams and business testers. Strong test planning, execution, and reporting skills. Confident communicator, able to engage effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing delivery timelines.

Desirable Experience Experience with non-functional testing, such as performance or security testing. Experience working with automated testing frameworks and CI/CD pipelines. Experience working in a regulated environment. Experience in the (re)insurance industry and/or enterprise platforms (e.g. SAP, Oracle).

Every person in our global team is valued for the unique qualities they bring to our business and we seek to build their expertise and support their individual ambitions at every step. Of course, we take our work seriously and we know our team can operate under great pressure. We work hard and thrive on achievement, but we also know how to have fun and relax too. We regularly host a range of team building days to strengthen our team's connection with each other and reflect on their successes.

Providing employees with a healthy work-life balance is very important to our culture. We have a wide range of employee benefits and we host regular social activities and well being initiatives. We are also committed to supporting our employee's involvement in their communities, by actively fundraising, hosting charity events and overseeing volunteering opportunities.

Benefits (Only for Permanent and Fixed Term Employees)

Leave

25 days of annual leave with option to buy/sell more days

Adoption and fertility leave

Generous enhanced parental leave

Healthcare

Comprehensive private insurance coverage for employee and dependents

Group Life Insurance coverage of 9x basic annual salary and Group Income Protection up to 75% of basic annual salary

Optical benefits

Savings & Retirement

15% combined employee/employer contributions

Wellness

Subsidized gym membership

Access to Employee Assistance Program

Cycle to Work and Electric Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme

Time off for volunteering

Charitable matching of employee donations

You Can Be Who You Are

We are committed to a culture of diversity and inclusion that embraces the authenticity of all employees, partners and communities. We support all employees to thrive and achieve their fullest potential.