Quality Assurance Manager

GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE JOB:    

The Manager, Quality Assurance leads team and manages quality assurance testing at American Equity. The team’s testing responsibilities include analysis of changes, planning testing and creating and executing test cases to mitigate the risk of changes in the production environment.  QA also coordinates with BA’s on requirements, business on user testing and the Programming and Configuration teams for defect resolution.  The QA team has testing responsibilities for multiple concurrent projects. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:   

• Leads a diverse team of employees with responsibility for managing the employee life cycle and experience, including but not limited to, selection and retention of talent, continuous feedback and performance management, reward and recognition, corrective action and employee development.
• Ensures the efficient utilization of resources, assigns resources to best meet target dates and quality goals.
• Works closely with BA, Programming, Architecture and Business teams in advocating for quality practices within the High Performing Teams in Information Systems.
• Stays current with testing techniques, tools, automation and testing best practices to grow skill sets of the QA team.
• Ensures team is maintaining adequate test coverage and test documentation through internal review of test evidence in our test management system.
• Follows up on any defects introduced into production to implement process improvements in testing practices.
• Ensures adequate on-boarding and training for QA Team members.
• Serves as a resource for testing expertise within the company.
• Occasionally serves as back up for AVP-IS Operations.
• Performs other related work as assigned. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Direct Reports: 9 

General Description of Indirect Reports (2 and 3-downs):  0 

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:  

• Bachelor’s degree in information systems / technology related field of study; plus a minimum of 5 years of related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Prior team lead or supervisory experience required.
• Experience working with different testing techniques, quality assurance and test automation.
• Extensive experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS:

N/A  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:  

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to effectively relay information to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Leadership skills including the ability to mentor and build a strong team.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional customer service orientation.
• Ability to work cooperatively and successfully with co-employees, customers, and other outside third parties.
• Ability to successfully handle pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to build and maintain networks.
• Strong project management and research skills.
• Mathematical skills with keen attention to detail.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft applications and a variety of software.
• Takes initiative with ability to follow-through.
• Strong problem-solving skills with ability to apply analytical, innovative and evaluative thinking.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures and government regulations.

No travel is required for this position.