Quality & Defect Manager

Quality & Defect Manager (Contract)

Location: Fully Remote (UK) Rate: Crica £300 per day (Outside IR35) Contract Length: Initial 3-month assignment with possible extension Equipment: Contractor to provide own laptop and equipment Engagement: Outside IR35

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Quality & Defect Manager to support the delivery of a critical Central Government portfolio. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving quality assurance activities, managing complex defect lifecycles, and coordinating testing and remediation across multiple suppliers within a challenging multi-vendor environment. This role is ideally suited to a professional with strong stakeholder management skills, extensive public sector experience, and a proven track record of improving quality outcomes across large-scale technology programmes.

Key Responsibilities

Lead quality and defect management activities across a dedicated programme portfolio. Manage the end-to-end defect lifecycle, ensuring timely triage, prioritisation, assignment, resolution, and closure. Coordinate defect management activities across multiple suppliers and delivery partners. Establish and maintain quality metrics, reporting, dashboards, and governance processes. Facilitate defect review meetings, root cause analysis sessions, and quality improvement initiatives. Work closely with programme managers, delivery teams, business stakeholders, and suppliers to resolve issues effectively. Monitor testing progress and ensure quality standards are consistently met throughout delivery. Identify quality risks and implement mitigation plans. Produce regular management information and quality reports for senior stakeholders. Drive continuous improvement in testing, defect management, and quality assurance processes.

Essential Experience

Proven experience as a Quality Manager, Defect Manager, Test Manager, or similar role. Strong experience working within complex multi-vendor delivery environments. Demonstrable experience delivering within Central Government or wider Public Sector organisations. Extensive knowledge of defect management processes, tools, and methodologies. Experience managing stakeholder relationships across technical and non-technical teams. Strong analytical, reporting, and problem-solving capabilities. Experience operating within Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid delivery models.

Desirable Experience

Experience supporting large-scale transformation or digital programmes. Knowledge of government delivery frameworks and governance processes. ISTQB, Agile, or relevant quality management certifications.

Assignment Details

Fully remote working arrangement. Contractor will focus on one portfolio at a time to ensure quality and delivery outcomes are achieved. Initial 3-month engagement with potential for extension based on programme requirements. Outside IR35 contract. £300 per day.

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