Test Manager

Discovery – Group Information Systems - Digital Channels

About Discovery 

Discovery's core purpose is to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives. We seek out and invest in exceptional individuals who understand and support our core purpose, and whose own values align with those of Discovery. Our fast-paced and dynamic environment enables smart, self-driven people to be their best. As global thought leaders, Discovery is passionate about innovating in order to not only achieve financial success, but to ignite positive and meaningful change within our society.

About Digital Channels

Working in a high performance organization that prides itself in attracting the finest talent, we challenge ourselves to find solutions that make a difference in the world. Our environment is always buzzing with energy and smart, motivated people working on finding the best way to move forward.

The Digital Channels team works on dynamic new projects and product enhancements within the web and mobile platforms in order to improve business inefficiencies, gain competitive advantage on our products and ultimately to provide better service to our clients. Using knowledge of the organization's technology infrastructure and specific software applications, Application Platform Services helps the business to address changes through technologies.

Key Purpose

The Senior Test Manager is responsible for ensuring the highest quality of software delivery by leading the testing strategy, execution, and continuous improvement of testing processes across all projects. Success in this role means maintaining strong system integrity through effective automation, rigorous regression testing, and efficient resource coordination. The individual will drive consistency and excellence in testing standards while mentoring the team to enhance capability and performance. This role is central to Discovery's ability to deliver reliable, high-quality features that meet business expectations

Areas of responsibility may include but not limited to:

• Develop and implement comprehensive testing methodologies, strategies, and policies to ensure consistent quality across Digital Channels.
• Define and maintain testing standards, coordinating testing efforts across multiple projects, browsers and mobile devices to ensure optimal coverage and minimal risk.
• Approve and oversee all test plans and strategies created by the Test Leads and Test Analysts, ensuring alignment with project objectives and company quality standards.
• Manage the Test Execution team, assigning resources, setting priorities, and monitoring progress to ensure timely and high-quality delivery.
• Liaise with the Head of Engineering and Architects to ensure that test environments are correctly configured with the required hardware, software, and tools to support effective testing execution.
• Evaluate and implement appropriate testing tools and automation frameworks to improve efficiency and maintain long-term system integrity.
• Lead regression testing and establish processes to maintain overall system stability during frequent releases and updates.
• Analyse test results, identify critical issues, and make final release decisions in collaboration with senior stakeholders such as Product Owners and Development Managers.
• Conduct readiness assessments and provide go/no-go recommendations based on test metrics, defect trends, and system performance.
• Define, measure, and report on key testing metrics to executive leadership, providing insights into quality trends and improvement opportunities.
• Present testing progress, risk assessments, and improvement initiatives in senior management and cross-functional project meetings.
• Mentor and coach testing staff, developing their technical and analytical skills while ensuring they understand the broader business context.
• Identify areas for process optimization and drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance testing efficiency and product quality.
• Liaise with external vendors and tool providers to evaluate testing solutions and ensure compatibility with organizational standards.
• Communicate test outcomes, risks, and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, influencing strategic release decisions.
• Oversee the Disaster Recovery testing processes, ensure accurate execution and documentation of results, and provide assurance of system resilience and business continuity readiness

Personal Attributes and Skills

Behavioral Skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills (English)
• Ability to work in a self-driven, complex environment with multiple and changing priorities
• Ability to focus on deadlines and deliverables
• Ability to think abstractly
• Ability and desire to quickly learn new technologies

Technical Skills

• Project Management
• Business Writing Skills
• Presentation and Facilitation Skills
• Automation Testing
• Functional Testing
• Agile and Waterfall methodologies
• Root cause analysis
• Interpreting specifications
• Vendor Management

Education and Experience

Minimum

• Diploma in IT / Software Engineering / Computer Science Degree
• 8+ years of experience in Quality Assurance, including
• 3+ years in a QA leadership role
• Experience with tools like Selenium, Appium, Postman and/or JMeter

Advantageous

• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level - Test Management (CTAL-TM)
• Masters degree
• Professional Registration (IITPSA)

EMPLOYMENT EQUITY   

The Company's approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.