QA Test Lead

We are seeking an experienced Test Lead with a strong background in enterprise software implementation, systems integration testing, and user acceptance testing (UAT) ideally within the higher education environment. This role will lead and coordinate all testing activities for the UCOP Intellectual Property Management Solution (IPMS) Transformation Project, ensuring end-to-end quality, data accuracy, and process validation across multiple platforms and integrations.

The ideal candidate brings 7+ years of experience in enterprise system testing, business analysis, and project execution, with a proven ability to design and manage testing strategies for large, complex implementations. Expertise in Jira for test management, issue tracking, and reporting is required.

Key Responsibilities

Test Strategy, Planning, and Execution

Lead the overall testing lifecycle including System Integration Testing (SIT) and User Testing (UT) across all modules of the IPMS program.

Develop and maintain a comprehensive test strategy and test plan, ensuring coverage for business processes, data conversions, and integrations.

Define test entry and exit criteria, test cases, and validation checkpoints.

Coordinate with functional and technical teams to ensure test readiness, environment setup, and test data preparation.

Oversee execution of test cycles, managing defect triage and resolution processes in Jira.

Report test progress, metrics, and quality status to project leadership and stakeholders.

Defect Tracking, Management, and Reporting

Establish and manage a structured defect tracking process in Jira, including creation, assignment, prioritization, and resolution workflows.

Facilitate defect triage meetings, working closely with developers, analysts, and business leads to assess impact, root cause, and resolution plans.

Track defect trends, severity, and closure rates to identify systemic issues and improvement opportunities.

Ensure traceability of defects back to test cases and requirements.

Generate defect summary reports and contribute to go/no-go readiness assessments based on defect status.

Partner with QA and technical teams to implement continuous improvement practices in defect prevention and resolution.

Integration & End-to-End Testing

Lead end-to-end validation of system integrations between Wellspring Evolve and other enterprise systems such as Oracle Financials, HR, and data platforms (e.g., MuleSoft or Peregrine).

Validate API calls, data transformations, and middleware transactions for accuracy and completeness.

Collaborate with data conversion teams to confirm data quality, reconciliation, and referential integrity.

Perform regression testing to ensure that new fixes and enhancements do not affect existing functionality.

User Testing & Business Validation

Plan and facilitate User Testing (UT), including user onboarding, test script preparation, and feedback sessions.

Translate business workflows into actionable test cases and user scenarios.

Capture, log, and manage UT issues and enhancements in Jira.

Consolidate UT results and prepare final validation and business sign-off documentation.

Project Support & Implementation

Partner with the Project Manager to support all cycles of testing from initiation to closure.

Develop and maintain comprehensive test documentation, including:

Test Plan

Test cases / Scenario

Daily testing execution metrics

Entry Exit criteria

Business process documentation current state : future state

Assist with training as needed

Co-ordinate office hours and live test sessions via zoom

Test results documentation

Defect tracking

Support Systems Integration Testing and User Testing and system validation, ensuring that solutions meet business needs.

Key Skills & Experience

7+ years of experience in software testing, test leadership, and enterprise systems implementation.

Proven success in defect management, defect triage, and quality control using Jira.

Experience leading integration and UAT efforts for large-scale enterprise systems.

Experience in higher education environments strongly preferred.

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Ability to work collaboratively across multiple technical and functional teams.

Proficiency with Jira, Confluence, Excel, and data validation tools.

Key Success Factors

Self-starter with a proactive mindset and a passion for problem-solving.

Strong stakeholder management and communication skills across technical and business teams.

Ability to navigate ambiguity, drive clarity, and align cross-functional teams.

Experience in developing audience-specific documentation for business and technical stakeholders.

Ability to establish clear roles, responsibilities, and ownership across project teams.

Influential and persuasive communicator, with a focus on delivering business value.

Qualifications

Bachelor s degree in Business, Information Systems, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

7+ years of test lead experience in enterprise project environments.

Strong understanding of testing (SIT and UAT) cycles and processes when conducted virtually.

Proficiency in tools such as Jira, MS Visio, and project management tools.