Test & Validation Analyst

Sword is a leading provider of business technology solutions within the Energy, Public and Finance Sectors, driving transformational change within our clients. We use proven technology, specialist teams and domain expertise to build solid technical foundations across platforms, data, and business applications. We have a passion for using technology to solve business problems, working in partnership with our clients to help them achieve their goals.

About the Role

As a Test & Validation Analyst, you will play a key role in supporting the successful delivery of complex, cloud-based solutions within a large-scale transformation environment in the energy sector. This role focuses on the planning, coordination, and execution of User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT) activities across data-driven solutions and platforms. Working closely with project teams, SMEs, technical specialists, and operational stakeholders, you will help ensure solutions are fully validated, operationally ready, and aligned to programme objectives before deployment.

You will contribute across the full testing lifecycle – from defining use cases and preparing test datasets through to coordinating execution activities, managing traceability, and supporting stakeholder sign-off. This is a collaborative and delivery-focused role requiring strong analytical capability, stakeholder engagement, and an understanding of cloud and data-led environments.

As a Test & Validation Analyst, You Will

• Support the definition of UAT and OAT scenarios aligned to programme objectives and operational requirements.
• Develop structured and traceable test cases with clear acceptance criteria.
• Design and prepare representative test datasets to support realistic end-to-end validation.
• Coordinate testing activities across business and technical teams, ensuring effective engagement with SMEs and stakeholders.
• Work closely with project managers, delivery teams, architects, and data specialists to support successful testing outcomes.
• Track testing progress, dependencies, risks, and defects, communicating updates clearly to stakeholders.
• Maintain auditable records of test execution, outcomes, defects, resolutions, and sign-off activities.
• Support validation of cloud-based and data-driven solutions to ensure operational readiness and business acceptance.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across testing and validation practices.
• Build strong working relationships across client and delivery teams to support collaborative programme delivery.

Requirements

• Proven experience supporting testing and validation activities within complex programmes or transformation environments.
• Experience coordinating UAT and/or OAT.
• Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work effectively across technical and non-technical teams.
• Experience creating test cases, defining acceptance criteria, and maintaining traceability.
• Understanding of testing methodologies, governance, and software development lifecycle practices.
• Experience working with data validation, data analysis, or preparation of test datasets.
• Familiarity with cloud-based platforms and modern technology environments.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and dependencies.

It Would Be Great If You Also Had

• Experience working within energy, utilities, or regulated industries.
• Exposure to Azure, AWS, or cloud data platforms.
• Experience working within Agile or hybrid delivery environments.
• Knowledge of operational readiness or service transition activities.
• Familiarity with tools used for test management, defect tracking, or collaboration.

Benefits

At Sword, our core values and culture are based on caring about our people, investing in training and career development, and building inclusive teams where we are all encouraged to contribute to achieve success. We offer comprehensive benefits designed to support your professional development and enhance your overall quality of life. In addition to a Competitive Salary, here’s what you can expect as part of our benefits package:

• Personalised Career Development: We create a development plan customised to your goals and aspirations, with a range of learning and development opportunities within a culture that encourages growth.
• Flexible working: Flexible work arrangements to support your work‑life balance. We can’t promise to always be able to meet every request, but we are keen to discuss your individual preferences to make it work where we can.
• A Fantastic Benefits Package: This includes generous annual leave allowance, enhanced family friendly benefits, pension scheme, access to private health, well‑being, and insurance schemes.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At Sword we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, ensuring that all applicants receive fair and equal consideration for employment, regardless of whether they meet every requirement. If you don’t tick all the boxes but feel you have some of the relevant skills and experience we’re looking for, please do consider applying and highlight your transferable skills and experience. We embrace diversity in all its forms, valuing individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity or re‑assignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Your perspective and potential are important to us.

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