Alpha Implementations Defect Test Manager, Vice President

Who we are looking for

We are seeking an experienced Defect Test Manager to lead defect governance across complex Alpha implementations. Working closely with Implementation Test Leads, programme leadership, business and technology teams, clients and third-party providers, the role is accountable for the complete defect lifecycle, from identification and validation through prioritisation, remediation, retesting and closure. The successful candidate will be proactive in establishing a disciplined, transparent and data-driven approach to defect management across front, middle and back-office processes, integrations and data flows.

Why this role is important to us

Alpha is State Street’s integrated front-to-back platform. Effective defect management is critical to protecting delivery milestones, solution quality, operational readiness and client confidence. This role provides clear accountability for defect governance, ensuring issues are accurately assessed, prioritised according to risk, resolved within agreed timeframes and supported by robust evidence for test completion and go-live decisions.

What you will be responsible for

• Own and continuously enhance the defect management framework, operating model and governance standards across all Alpha testing activities and client implementations.
• Manage the end-to-end defect lifecycle across all test phases, including identification, validation, classification, prioritisation, assignment, remediation, retesting, closure and retention of audit evidence.

• Define and enforce defect severity, priority, ownership, service-level expectations and closure criteria.
• Chair defect triage and review forums, ensuring consistent decisions based on business and client impact, technical risk, test coverage and delivery milestones.
• Maintain a controlled defect backlog, with clear ownership, target resolution dates, dependencies, ageing and escalation paths.
• Provide objective defect metrics, trend analysis and quality insights for programme governance, status reporting and executive decision-making.
• Ensure material defects, accepted risks, workarounds and deferred items are formally assessed, approved and traceable.

• Coordinate business, testing, product, development, infrastructure, data and vendor teams to remove impediments and accelerate resolution of priority defects.
• Challenge incomplete or insufficient defect records and ensure that supporting evidence, reproducible steps, impact assessments and diagnostic information are provided.
• Monitor defect leakage, rejection, duplication, reopen rates, ageing and resolution performance, identifying systemic quality concerns and corrective actions.
• Lead escalations for critical and high-priority defects, ensuring that business impact, recovery plans and management decisions are clearly documented.
• Assess defect readiness against test exit and go-live criteria, providing a clear view of residual risk and recommendations to programme leadership.
• Partner with Test Leads to plan retesting and regression coverage, confirm resolution evidence and prevent premature closure.
• Maintain effective controls within defect management tools, including workflows, mandatory fields, status transitions, dashboards and management reporting.
• Oversee defect management across global, multi-vendor and multi-location teams, establishing clear accountability and consistent working practices.
• Facilitate root-cause analysis for recurring or material defects and track preventive actions through to completion.
• Drive continuous improvement in defect governance, reporting, controls and stakeholder engagement by applying delivery insights and lessons learned.

What we value

• Strong leadership presence and the judgement to influence senior business, technology, programme and client stakeholders.
• Strong stakeholder management, with the confidence to escalate issues constructively, navigate challenging stakeholder relationships and maintain focus until defects are fully and effectively resolved.
• Proven experience leading defect management across large-scale financial services or technology transformation programmes.
• Sound judgement in balancing delivery urgency, solution quality, client impact and operational risk.
• Excellent facilitation, negotiation, escalation and executive reporting skills.
• Strong understanding of front, middle and back-office workflows, data movement, interfaces and integration risks.
• A disciplined, evidence-based approach to governance, control and continuous improvement.

Skills and experience required

• End-to-end defect lifecycle management and governance
• Defect triage leadership, severity and priority assessment, and risk-based decision-making
• Advanced defect reporting, trend analysis, ageing analysis and executive dashboards
• Root-cause analysis, corrective-action tracking and quality improvement
• Advanced knowledge of Jira, with the ability to configure and apply defect workflows, maintain detailed defect records, and produce consolidated reporting and trend analysis across multiple client implementations.
• Leadership of globally distributed teams, suppliers and cross-functional stakeholders
• Clear, concise and evidence-based communication at programme and executive governance forums

Education and preferred qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in technology, finance, management or a related discipline
• Substantial experience in software testing, quality assurance or implementation delivery within financial services or complex technology environments
• Demonstrable experience owning defect governance across multiple test phases and integrated delivery teams
• Relevant testing, quality management or project delivery certification is advantageous

About State Street

Across the globe, institutional investors rely on us to help them manage risk, respond to challenges, and drive performance and profitability. We keep our clients at the heart of everything we do, and smart, engaged employees are essential to our continued success.

We are committed to fostering an environment where every employee feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential. As an essential partner in our shared success, you’ll benefit from inclusive development opportunities, flexible work-life support, paid volunteer days, and vibrant employee networks that keep you connected to what matters most. Join us in shaping the future.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we consider all qualified applicants for all positions without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, marital status, domestic partnership or civil union status, familial status, military and veteran status, and other characteristics protected by applicable law.

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