Test Management Lead - Telecom BSS/OSS Testing - VOIS

Who we are VOIS (Vodafone Intelligent Solutions) is a strategic arm of Vodafone Group Plc, creating value for customers by delivering intelligent solutions through Talent, Technology & Transformation. As the largest shared services organisation in the global telco industry with 30,000 FTE, our portfolio of next-generation solutions and services are designed in partnership with customers across Vodafone Group, local markets, and partner markets to simplify and drive growth. With our strategic partner Accenture, we work alongside our Vodafone customers, other Telco and tech companies to drive transformation, meet the challenges of our industry and ensure we stay relevant and resilient. This partnership is a unique, industry-first model which brings together the best of in-house and 3rd party capability. We work with customers across 28 countries from 10 VOIS locations: Albania, Egypt, Hungary, India, Romania, Spain, Turkey, UK, Germany, Ireland, and with a network of teams in Czech Republic, Italy, Greece, and Portugal. #VOIS #BeUnrivalled #CreateTheFuture About this Role We are seeking an experienced Test Management professional to lead Acceptance Testing services for Vodafone Germany programmes within VOIS. This role will be responsible for defining and executing testing strategies, managing end-to-end testing delivery, and ensuring high-quality releases across Telecom BSS/OSS landscapes. The successful candidate will oversee multiple projects simultaneously, manage sizeable testing teams, collaborate with Vodafone and vendor stakeholders, and drive continuous improvement in testing methodologies, governance, quality, and operational efficiency. The role is based in Pune and offers opportunities to work within a global, multicultural environment with periodic international travel. What you’ll do Lead end-to-end testing delivery across multiple programmes, ensuring agreed timelines, cost, quality, and milestone achievement. Define, implement, and continuously improve test strategies, methodologies, standards, and governance frameworks. Manage testing activities across Telecom BSS/OSS environments with accountability for all test deliverables. Translate business and service requirements into comprehensive test plans and ensure successful execution. Oversee test planning, execution, defect management, risk management, reporting, and test closure activities. Lead and coordinate testing across programme portfolios, ensuring test coverage aligns with business requirements. Manage testing teams of approximately 20 direct reports and provide leadership across extended test delivery organisations of 30–50 resources. Review and approve testing artefacts, estimates, schedules, resource plans, and key quality deliverables. Manage stakeholder relationships across Vodafone, VOIS, delivery partners, vendors, and country organisations. Drive service delivery reporting, governance reviews, test exit boards, and programme status communications. Ensure effective utilisation of test tools, environments, configuration management processes, and defect tracking systems. Manage resource forecasting, capacity planning, budget forecasting, demand management, and project burn-rate tracking. Lead service transitions and ensure successful onboarding of new testing services. Identify opportunities for testing efficiencies, automation adoption, process optimisation, and service improvements. Resolve escalated testing and service delivery issues through established governance and escalation processes. Support recruitment, capability development, succession planning, and performance management within the testing organisation. Who you are Essential Experience & Skills 10+ years of testing experience within Telecommunications environments, including Billing, Mediation, CRM, Online Services, Web Portals, or OSS/BSS platforms. Demonstrated expertise in test management across medium to large-scale IT delivery programmes. Strong Telecom domain knowledge and understanding of complex business and operational systems. ISTQB Practitioner certification or equivalent software quality assurance accreditation. Experience delivering testing using both Agile and Waterfall methodologies. Proven leadership experience managing large, geographically distributed, and multicultural teams. Experience operating within a Testing Centre of Excellence (CoE) or a similar centralised testing organisation. Strong knowledge of the eTOM framework. Hands-on experience with HP Quality Centre, IBM Rational tools, BMC Remedy, or equivalent testing and defect management solutions. Experience in resource planning, forecasting, budget management, estimation reviews, and vendor management. Ability to manage stakeholder expectations and influence decision-making across multiple organisational levels. Strong risk management, governance, and service delivery management capabilities. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Qualifications Graduate or Postgraduate degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related discipline. Behavioural Competencies Communication for impact. Delivering results. Customer-focused mindset. Leadership and people development. Planning, organisation, and execution excellence. Managing in a changing environment. Collaborative stakeholder management. Innovation-driven thinking. Ability to operate effectively within a matrix organisation. Commitment to Vodafone values of Speed, Simplicity, Trust, Innovation, Customer Obsession, and One Company mindset. Not a perfect fit? Concerned you may not meet every requirement? Vodafone is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. If you are excited about this role but your experience does not align exactly with every aspect of the job description, you are encouraged to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or another opportunity, and the recruitment team will support you in exploring where your skills fit best. What's in it for you Opportunity to lead strategic Acceptance Testing programmes supporting Vodafone Germany.Exposure to large-scale telecom transformation initiatives across BSS/OSS landscapes.Collaboration with global stakeholders, vendors, and cross-functional teams.Leadership responsibility across complex testing portfolios and large delivery teams.Opportunity to influence testing strategy, quality standards, governance, and service exposure within a highly collaborative and multicultural organisation.Professional development through enterprise-scale programme leadership and stakeholder engagement. What skills you will learn Advanced telecom testing leadership and governance practices.Strategic programme and portfolio management.Resource forecasting, budgeting, and demand management stakeholder engagement and vendor management.Service transition and operational excellence methodologies.Enterprise-level quality assurance and testing transformation approaches.Continuous improvement, optimisation, and testing innovation techniques. VOIS Equal Opportunity Employer Commitment Vodafone recognises and celebrates the value of diversity in building a workforce that reflects the customers and communities it serves. No form of discrimination is tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to, discrimination based on race, colour, age, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, ethnicity, disability, religion or belief, political affiliation, trade union membership, nationality, citizenship, indigenous status, medical condition, HIV status, neurodiversity, social origin, cultural background, marital or civil partnership status, or socio-economic background. Join Us At Vodafone, we’re working hard to build a better future. A more connected, inclusive and sustainable world. As a dynamic global community, it's our human spirit, together with technology, that empowers us to achieve this. We challenge and innovate in order to connect people, businesses, and communities across the world. Delighting our customers and earning their loyalty drive us, and we experiment, learn fast and get it done, together. With us, you can truly be yourself and belong, share inspiration, embrace new opportunities, thrive, and make a real difference. Alert Apply for Vodafone jobs only through the official Vodafone Careers website to avoid job scams and fraud. #JDEnhancedByTARA Follow us on social media LinkedIn: VOIS LinkedIn Facebook: VOIS Facebook Instagram: VOIS Instagram You can also chat with our employees to learn more about our projects: Employee Connect