Description
Our financial services client is seeking an experienced Service Acceptance Delivery Lead. This key role faces off to an external client and applicants MUST have solid previous experience of operating in a similar capacity - you will need to be a seasoned professional who is well aware of the challenges such a key client-facing role offers.
* The position will also involve travel between Hong Kong and Reigate, Surrey, in the UK. As a result we are seeking applicants who are either fully geographically mobile, or who are based in either Hong Kong OR Reigate, Surrey. However you MUST be eligible to work in the United Kingdom..*
This important and influential function is to ensure systems and applications are built and delivered to the required technical specs and quality standards. You will lead all aspects of Service Acceptance such as system test, internal and client user acceptance testing, (these systems are used internally by our client, and externally by its client) security/penetration/load test, release management, business continuity, disaster recovery, etc. This exciting and senior opportunity has a large scope and also includes identification of service improvement opportunities, escalation management, PMO working, plus others. You'll be working closely with test teams to ensure alignment and coordination across all test processes. You will also be required to develop and nurture key relationships with all critical stakeholders and external partners to facilitate effective communication, manage expectations, and deliver excellent results.
Essential skills and experience:
*Deep experience of dealing with a demanding and at times difficult external client.
*Outstanding skills in the following areas are mandatory - negotiation, senior stakeholder management, relationship building, securing client and stakeholder buy-in, ability to effectively manage client demands and expectations combined with, where appropriate, tact and diplomacy.
*First rate interpersonal communication and motivational skills.
*Outstanding presentational skills.
*Excellent leadership and organizational skills with great attention to detail.
Other required skills:
*Minimum of 10 years' solid experience in software development, with at least 5 years' experience leading and/or managing a large sized enterprise Software Quality Assurance team or a Service Acceptance workstream in a large corporate environment.
*Hands-on experience leading large globally dispersed teams to manage and deliver products across multiple time zones.
*Excellent understanding and experience of project management methodologies.
*Excellent organization skills and the ability to prioritise and carry out multiple tasks in a pressurised and fast moving environment.
*A deep understanding of the SDLC process.
*Extensive commercial experience in the Agile/Scrum framework.
*First rate verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
*Ability to communicate concepts to a wide variety of audiences, both business and technical.
*A hands-on, proactive, results-driven approach - this client is all about getting things done, and successful delivery!
*Experience with pensions management systems is a real plus, not essential, however experience of retail financial services, life assurance, general insurance etc. is very useful indeed.
*First rate relationship building, motivational and stakeholder management skills.
Finally you must possess the ability to anticipate program testing and release problems and take corrective action, escalating as needed, to get potential issues resolved in order to achieve commitments. Flexibility in schedule is mandatory in order to work effectively and in Real Time with a globally dispersed team - in other words, you'll need to be happy to put in the hours, even if they go (well) over the contracted 40 a week (see rate - below).
The ability to work effectively in a dynamic, fast moving, exciting environment with aggressive deadlines will be essential for this important and senior contract assignment.
This is a cracking role - but you'll really need to know your onions and be prepared to work the hours required to achieve successful delivery!