QA Lead

Summary: QA Lead Oversees daily QA operations, leads multiple QA analysts as needed, aligns them with organizational goals, and maintains high-quality standards. They drive strategic improvements, set long-term QA strategies, manage critical initiatives, and foster cross-departmental collaboration. They define performance metrics, oversee talent development, work with the Director of QA on resource allocation, and handle high-level risk management and strategic decision-making. 6-8 years of relevant experience QA Technical Competence (Must have): Manual Testing: Expert in executing and optimizing test cases and identifying defects. Test Case Design: Mastery in overseeing and refining complex test cases. Bug Reporting: Proficient in managing defect documentation and resolution. SDLC Understanding: Deep expertise in SDLC integration and QA alignment. Problem-Solving: Advanced in resolving complex issues and driving improvements. Attention to Detail: Exceptional focus on high-quality, accurate deliverables. Communication: Effective in leading teams and facilitating collaboration. Accessibility: Extensive knowledge of accessibility standards and compliance. Test Automation: Strong experience with integrating and advancing automation tools. Project Management: Proven ability to manage large-scale QA projects and prioritize tasks. Team Management: Skilled in leading, mentoring, and developing high-performance QA teams. QA Test concepts (Must hav e): Strategic QA Leadership: Ability to define and implement long-term QA strategies aligned with organizational goals and business objectives. Test Process Improvement: Expertise in driving continuous improvement in QA processes, tools, and methodologies to enhance efficiency and quality. Performance Metrics & KPI Development: Proficiency in defining and tracking QA performance metrics (e.g., defect density, test coverage, test execution rates) to ensure high-quality standards. Risk-Based Testing & Risk Management: Strong understanding of risk-based testing approaches and high-level risk management to prioritize testing efforts based on business-critical risks. Cross-Department Collaboration : Skills in fostering collaboration between QA and other departments, ensuring that quality is embedded across the software development lifecycle. QA Process (Must have): Strategic Quality Oversight: Develop and implement strategic QA plans, ensuring alignment with business objectives and overseeing the application of advanced testing methodologies across projects. Test Process Leadership: Optimize and standardize test processes, mentor QA teams, and drive the adoption of best practices and innovative testing solutions. Defect Management & Risk Mitigation: Oversee defect management processes, including high-level analysis and resolution strategies, and implement risk mitigation strategies for critical issues. Tool and Automation Strategy : Lead the evaluation and integration of advanced QA and automation tools, ensuring they enhance efficiency and effectiveness across the QA function. Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration: Manage and develop QA teams, foster collaboration with other departments, and communicate strategic quality initiatives and complex issues to senior management and stakeholders. QA Tools (at least 1 in each area): Advanced Tool Expertise: Oversee the strategic use of QA tools for managing complex test cases, defect tracking, and automation at an enterprise level. Strategic Test Management: Develop and implement comprehensive test plans and processes, utilizing tools like JIRA or TestRail for optimal test execution and reporting. Defect Management Leadership: Direct defect reporting, tracking, and resolution processes, ensuring alignment with quality objectives and effective issue resolution. Automation Strategy & Optimization: Lead the strategic implementation and optimization of automation tools (e.g., Selenium) to drive efficiency and expand test coverage. Tool Integration & Coordination: Facilitate the integration of QA tools with CI/CD pipelines and development tools, ensuring cohesive and efficient testing workflows across the organization. Prioritization (Must have): Strategic Vision: Ability to set and align prioritization strategies with long-term business objectives and quality goals. High-Level Organizational Skills: Expertise in managing complex, cross-functional projects and coordinating priorities across multiple teams and stakeholders. Advanced Time Management: Proficiency in optimizing resource allocation and balancing immediate needs with strategic priorities. Influential Communication: Skill in articulating priorities, negotiating with senior stakeholders, and managing expectations at an executive level. Strategic Decision-Making : Capability to make high-impact prioritization decisions based on comprehensive risk assessment, business value, and strategic alignment. Thought Leadership (Must have): Strategic Expertise: Using advanced knowledge to drive QA strategy and align with organizational goals. Innovative Leadership : Leading the development of creative solutions to complex QA challenges and refining strategies to meet business needs. Executive Communication: Articulating QA strategies and results to executives and leading cross-functional teams for project success. Agility in Change Management: Adapting to new methodologies and feedback and guiding the team through process enhancements. Quality Commitment: Maintaining high standards of quality and fostering continuous improvement within the QA function. Portfolio size: Large or complex projects, often overseeing multiple projects simultaneously. They handle advanced testing tasks, including in-depth functional, integration, and performance testing, and are involved in creating and executing comprehensive test plans. They also play a key role in mentoring junior analysts, leading testing efforts, and collaborating closely with development teams to ensure quality. Their workload involves high complexity and significant responsibility, including strategic input into test processes and methodologies, to ensure effective and efficient project outcomes. Domains: (At least 1-2 in each domain) Web Platforms: Browsers: Knowledge of different web browsers (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) and their compatibility issues. Web Technologies: Familiarity with web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Mobile Platforms: iOS: Understanding of Apples iOS platform, including iPhone and iPad devices. Android: Knowledge of Googles Android platform, including various devices and versions. Desktop Platforms: Windows: Familiarity with different versions of the Windows operating system. macOS: Understanding of Apples macOS for desktop applications. Content Management Systems (CMS): Contentful, Contentstack, Optimizely, Word press, Drupal, Liferay, AEM (traditional and EDS), Sitecore, Sitefinity, EPiServer etc. E-commerce Platforms: Magento (Adobe Commerce), Salesforce Commerce, Shopify, BigCommerce, Salsify, etc. Accessibility: Concepts, Scanning tools, Screen Reader testing API Platforms: Postman, SoapUI Test Automation : Programming, Frameworks, Record and Play CI/CD: Jenkins, Bamboo, Travis, bitbucket etc. Performance Testing: Lighthouse, JMeter, LoadRunner