QA Program Manager for iGate @ Bangalore

Client: iGate.
Experience: 10+ Years.
Designation: QA Program Manager.
Planning & Strategy
-Manage the work program for strategic Retail Banking initiatives.
-Manage a QA team in terms work program planning and project assignments
-Create/Review Test Strategy and Master Test Plans for all projects in the work program
-Responsible for coaching, mentoring, training and day to day interaction with a team of QA professionals (testers, automation experts, planners)
-Institutionalize the best QA practices as directed from the QA Centre of Excellence
-Establish and manage governance associated with QA activities on all projects
-Establish and drive tactical and strategic QA plans and initiatives
-Negotiate and coordinate with impacted interfacing application groups regarding timeframes and commitment dates
-Official sign-off approval on releases ready for production
-Determine the schedule and sequence of testing activities for all projects in the work program
-Review the Functional and Non-Functional Specifications which are to be included in the project/release
-Interface with the development and maintenance teams (e.g. management, PM, development lead, vendors)
-Research leading QA practices and technology
-Determine and utilize automation technology and processes to optimize costs
-Manage the departmental budget
-Provide test progress status/reports to management and executives
-Ability to understand multi culture, Onsite/Offshore, Multi Vendor scenario
-Should have at least had about 2 to 3 years experience in managing large QA programs in Retail Banking
-Should have had at least 7 to 8 years experience in people/project management in the QA side
-For New Opportunities - Once client is comfortable with the profile then the contract will be signed
-Additional (Justify the need for the position(s): The QA Program Manager will be involved in a multi-year (2 year+) program within Retail QA Division and is required to play a key role as part of the onsite team. He/She will be deployed at onsite permanently during the entire duration of the engagement.
-We are looking at a candidate who has spent a longer duration in onsite (for about 2 yrs) with a single client.

Relationships & Communication
-Effectively communicates and builds rapport with team members, stakeholders and business partners using a variety of techniques and collaboration from initiation to close
-Facilitates complex group meetings and conducts information gathering sessions
-Prepares and delivers presentations to business and technology partners, senior management and executives, selecting the appropriate approach based on the audience
-Resolves conflicts/issues and escalates others as appropriate
-Manages the operations with 3rd party vendor

Managerial Excellence
-Sets direction and vision for the team
-Defines team*s deliverables, content and quality metrics
-Ensures team has adequate training, consulting and tools to deliver objectives
-Provides expertise, direction, coaching and development to build the team capability
-Manages performance, reward and recognition
-Promotes a mindset for sustained success, growth and diversity
-Spearheads and guides people through changes
-Continually enhances own skills and builds knowledge in all aspects of the organization, the business and information systems

Key Result Areas
-Strategic and Tactical Planning, plus Documentation * 20%
-Work Program Management, Technical Review * 30%
-QA Leadership * 30%
-People Development * 20%

Essentials
Key technical/functional skills you would like on the resume:
-Retail Banking Domain and App Know
-Testing Concepts
-Program/Project/People Mgmt
-Testing Strategy/Master Test Plan
-Knowledge of QMS/ISO/CMM
-Processes Know/Onsite Work experience
-Test Automation & Performance Testing
-Development Project Experience

Personality and attitudinal traits you look for in the candidate:
-Can work independently at client site. Ability to do multi-tasking and manage a team of 25 - 30. Experience with any tier-1 IT Services / financial institution is a plus
Salary will not be a constraint for right candidate.
Rajeshwari M.
rajeshwari{dot}m {at}careerxperts {dot }com