The Test Manager is responsible for leading and managing testing activities for banking applications running on mainframe platforms. The role ensures high-quality delivery of banking systems by overseeing test strategy, planning, execution, and defect management for core banking and transaction processing systems.
Key Responsibilities
1. Test Strategy & Planning
- Define and implement test strategy, test plans, and testing frameworks for banking applications.
- Lead testing activities across system testing, integration testing, UAT, and regression testing.
- Estimate testing effort, resources, and timelines.
2. Mainframe Testing Management
- Manage testing for mainframe-based banking systems.
- Coordinate testing activities for applications built on COBOL, JCL, DB2, and CICS environments.
- Ensure testing coverage for batch processing and transaction processing systems.
3. Test Execution & Quality Assurance
- Oversee functional, system integration, regression, and performance testing.
- Ensure defect tracking, root cause analysis, and resolution.
- Monitor test progress and ensure adherence to quality standards.
4. Stakeholder & Team Management
- Lead a team of test analysts, automation engineers, and QA specialists.
- Collaborate with developers, business analysts, and business stakeholders.
- Provide regular status updates to senior management and project stakeholders.
5. Defect & Risk Management
- Manage defect lifecycle using tools such as JIRA, HP ALM, or Quality Center.
- Identify testing risks and implement mitigation strategies.
- Ensure critical defects are resolved before production release.
6. Banking System Testing
Manage testing for banking applications such as:
- Core Banking Systems
- Payments and transaction processing
- Loan and credit systems
- Customer information systems
- Regulatory and compliance systems
7. Test Automation & Process Improvement
- Implement and maintain test automation frameworks where applicable.
- Improve testing efficiency through continuous integration and automated testing tools.
- Establish best practices for testing governance and reporting.
Required Skills
Mainframe Technologies
- COBOL
- JCL (Job Control Language)
- DB2
- CICS
- Mainframe batch processing
Testing Skills
- Test strategy and test planning
- Functional testing
- System Integration Testing (SIT)
- User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
- Regression testing
- Defect management
Tools
- JIRA
- HP ALM / Quality Center
- Selenium or automation tools
- Mainframe testing tools (File-AID, Abend-AID)
Soft Skills
- Leadership and team management
- Stakeholder communication
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Risk management
Preferred Certifications
- ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board)
- PMP – Project Management Professional
- Certified Agile Tester
- Scrum Master Certification
Experience Requirements
- 10+ years in software testing
- 5+ years in test management
- Experience in banking or financial services industry
- Strong experience in mainframe-based banking systems
