Job Description

Job Title:  Manager - Test Automation

Reports To: Associate Director, Director, Senior Director

Work Location: Dallas

Shift/Hours/Days: M-F 8-6

Position Summary:

The Manager is responsible for leading and managing multiple technical team members within Testing Automation, ensuring alignment with broader organizational strategy and goals.

This role oversees end-to-end Test Automation operations by managing multiple testing initiatives, guiding Team Leads and individual contributors, and aligning quality strategies with business goals. They champion a quality-first culture, drive test automation strategy and governance, drive innovation in tooling and frameworks and ensure test planning, execution, and reporting are consistent across programs. The Test Automation Manger collaborates with stakeholders to deliver high-quality software products while managing resources, risks, and timelines.

The Manager establishes a high-performance culture by setting clear expectations, facilitating communication, and empowering teams to solve problems and make decisions effectively. They are accountable for delivery outcomes, resource planning, budgeting, risk management, and continuous process improvement.

This role requires a blend of strategic thinking, technical understanding, and people leadership. The Manager mentors and develops team leads and individual contributors, fosters collaboration across functions, and champions the adoption of best practices, including automation, standardization, and quality-focused delivery. The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking leader with strong execution skills, a passion for enabling teams, and a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Define the long-term roadmap for test automation across all applications and platforms.
• Align automation goals with product release cycles, business needs, and technology evolution.
• Oversee the health of automation frameworks and pipelines, while delegating implementation to team leads.
• Partner with DevOps and Engineering to support CI/CD initiatives and environmental stability.
• Analyze automation ROI and guides prioritization of automation efforts across programs.
• Encourage continuous learning and upskilling in automation tools, frameworks, and best practices.
• Lead and manage multiple team members, which may include contractors, within the department, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, strategic priorities, and operational excellence.
• Partner with cross-functional leaders across Product, Technology and Business Units to plan, prioritize, and deliver on key products and/or services.
• Develop and execute strategies that support team objectives, resource planning, project execution, and delivery timelines.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, performance and development for team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, learning, accountability, growth, and collaboration and shared ownership.
• Monitor team capacity, manage vendor and contractor engagements, and ensure optimal resource utilization across delivery of work.
• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs), use data to identify trends, root causes, and drive continuous improvements in processes and outcomes.
• Set clear goals for the team and individuals and monitors performance against business objectives and KPIs to hold team members accountable for outcomes, deadlines, and quality standards.
• Promote compliance with Architecture, internal policies, industry regulations, and security standards through proactive governance and oversight.
• Encourage innovation and process optimization by leveraging tools, automation, and best practices across the organization.
• Act as the primary escalation point for team or process/project-related challenges, facilitating timely resolution and transparent communication.
• Manage departmental budgets, cost allocations, and financial planning to support sustainable growth and operational efficiency.

Qualifications and Competencies Required

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the experience, knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 Required Experience:

• 8+ years of progressive experience in one or more technology or business domains, with a strong understanding of relevant tools, platforms, and systems.
• 3+ years of experience in a lead / manager role.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, or related field.
• Master’s degree in STEM or Business is a plus. Equivalent professional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Skills Required:

• Proven leadership in team development, communication, and cross-functional coordination.
• Technical knowledge of automation frameworks, CI/CD integration, and testing tools such as Selenium, Jenkins, and JMeter.
• Familiarity with cloud environments, containerization, and version control systems.
• Focused on standardizing and scaling automation strategy, not hands-on scripting.
• Strong decision-making and prioritization skills in fast-paced environments.
• Customer-focused mindset with a track record of delivering impactful, business-aligned solutions.
• Emphasis on documentation, process clarity, and sustainable collaboration.
• Communicates clearly across teams and adapts style for different audiences and coach team members in effective communication and constructive feedback.
• Balances customer needs with business goals and proactively resolves issues.
• Applies customer insights to drive service and process improvements.
• Demonstrates strong understanding of business operations and priorities.
• Make informed decisions using internal data and market awareness.
• Encourages creative thinking and supports team-driven innovation .
• Develop individuals through mentoring and coaching.
• Removes obstacles that impact team progress and performance.
• Resolves conflicts and aligns team toward common goals.

Overtime required – required on an as needed basis.

Travel 0-10% - as required on an as needed basis.

Must have reliable transportation and live within a commutable distance to one of the following cities: Atlanta, GA; Dallas, TX; Detroit, MI; Houston, TX

Qualifications Preferred:

• Prior Experience in Financial Services or Auto Lending a plus
• One or more of the following Certifications:
• ISTQB Advanced Level – Test Automation Engineer (CTAL - TAE) Certified Selenium Tester (CST)
• Certified Jenkins Engineer (CJE)
• Python Automation Certification (e.g., PCEP, PCAP)
• Performance Testing Certification (e.g., E17JMeter Certification by BlazeMeter)

Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

 Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

 Work Schedule This position requires the ability to work various shifts to accommodate business needs.   Typically, between the hours of 8AM-6PM Monday through Friday and on weekends as needed.  Travel is required 10% of the time.