Senior Test Practice Manager | SA-Adelaide CBD

Job description

At BAE Systems Australia

• Do interesting work that MATTERS
• ENJOY what you do
• GROW your career
• Be YOU

We work in a thriving sector – one that puts us at the forefront of exciting and meaningful work. Every day we push boundaries to produce some of the world's most innovative and ground breaking technology. Individually we all contribute to our success. Collectively we make the impossible possible.

Recognised for delivering projects of global and national significance that help keep Australia safe, it is our shared passion that shapes our culture, and our people that make it a great place to work.

About the OPPORTUNITY

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Test practice Manager to join our Central Function, the role can be worked from Adelaide, Melbourne or Sydney, reporting to the Change Adoption Manager. We embrace flexible work arrangements at BAE Systems Australia, such as working a 9-day fortnight and hybrid working.

The role is responsible for advancing the maturity of test capability through the development of test frameworks and learning pathways. Operating at a senior level, the role influences executive leaders, manages a team of test professionals, and enables consistent, value-driven test practices across the organisation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the strategic development and execution of an enterprise-wide test adoption framework, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and fostering a culture of continuous improvement
• Build and nurture executive-level relationships to secure commitment from senior leaders, ensuring that change and adoption activities are prioritized and integrated into strategic initiatives. Coach and guide leaders in test practices to support organisational transformation and ensure alignment with business objectives
• Drive the adoption and integration of test adoption frameworks at the executive level, influencing senior leadership to embed change and testing as a core business strategy. Champion the role of testing across the portfolios, shaping organisational culture to ensure long-term resilience and successful adoption of change
• Deliver high-value BAU test support and advisory services, addressing business-as-usual needs where formal projects do not exist, and building leader confidence and capability to manage small-scale change
• Conduct feasibility and initiation activities, including artefact reviews, test complexity assessments, and effort estimations
• Deliver hands-on end-to-end test management for strategic initiatives when required, demonstrating agility and deep practical expertise
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and career development for test practitioners, equipping them with the advanced skills to provide testing assurance to senior leaders. Develop and mentor senior leaders in test practices to strengthen organisational capability and drive long-term success
• Lead and manage a high-performing team of test professionals, ensuring appropriate allocation of practitioners across initiatives and providing strategic hands-on support where required to address capacity or complexity need
• Drive the continuous improvement of test methodologies, tools, and frameworks, and lead test community of practice initiatives to uplift test capability and maturity across the organisation. Design and govern structured learning pathways and supporting content for test practitioners, ensuring all framework tools and templates are enabled with aligned, high-quality learning materials

About YOU

• Defence security clearance or eligibility to obtain Baseline Clearance
• Expertise overseeing/ managing a team
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing enterprise-wide test management frameworks, governance models, and quality assurance methodologies
• Proven ability to influence and advise senior executives on testing strategy, risk mitigation, and embedding test leadership into delivery practices
• Demonstrated success leading testing for complex, high-risk programs with hands-on experience in test planning, execution, and assurance across multiple delivery models (Agile, Hybrid, Waterfall)
• Experience managing and developing high-performing test teams, including workforce planning, skills uplift, and capability frameworks
• Strong background in building enterprise-wide testing maturity through structured learning pathways, toolset standardisation, and communities of practice
• Practical experience providing strategic testing advisory and support for both project-based and BAU initiatives, particularly in large or federated organisations

We believe in hiring for potential, we know that some candidates hesitate if they don't tick all the boxes.  If this role interests you, but you don't meet all the criteria, we still encourage you to apply.

About US

You will be joining a workplace that truly cares about your wellbeing.

Our people are diverse and we value the variety of perspectives this brings, we know that a culture that is inclusive and fosters a sense of belonging is a place we can all make the most of our unique talents and be our best.

As Australia's largest defence company in a rapidly growing sector, you will be connected into a global team and encouraged to explore where your career might take you whether that is a traditional career path or squiggly one, there are infinite possibilities for you at BAE Systems Australia. 

BAE Systems recognises the sacrifices of those who have served our Nation and their families.  We support our veteran community through our internal veteran network (VetNet Australia) and strong charitable partnerships, internal offerings including reserve service leave, a Veteran Mentoring Program and other exclusive offerings available through our strategic partners.

We welcome applicants from all people regardless of sex, gender identity, race, ethnicity, disability, pregnancy, age, or other lived experience; and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for all positions.

We are proud to be recognised as an employer of choice for women by WORK180.

Awarded the 2024 Quarter 1 Benchmarcx Triple R- Excellence In Candidate Experience Certification. As a member of the Circle Back Initiative we commit to respond to every applicant.

To learn more about our competitive employee benefits, flexibility, other employment opportunities and what to expect from our recruitment process please visit: www.baesystemscareers.com.au

Clearances

As a Defence security clearance is required for this role, applicants must be Australian citizens and either possess or be eligible to obtain and maintain appropriate clearances. Further information regarding security clearances.