UAT Lead

BMO•Chicago, IL

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

Leads end to end user acceptance testing for banking applications, ensuring software releases meet business requirements and regulatory standards. Partners with senior business and technology stakeholders to drive release governance and testing excellence, engaging stakeholders to ensure risk aligned, audit ready delivery outcomes. Acts as a trusted advisor to assigned business/group. Influences and negotiates to achieve business objectives. Assists in the development of strategic plans. Identifies emerging issues and trends to inform decision-making. Makes recommendations to the business/group and project team on the strategy, approach, and rigor of UAT required based on the Enterprise UAT Operating Guideline and Process and Industry best practices. May review the work of other UAT analysts to ensure quality of work. Supports the execution of strategic initiatives in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. Helps determine business priorities and best sequence for execution of business/group strategy. Conducts independent analysis and assessment to resolve strategic issues. Supports the UAT intake process by making decisions regarding the prioritization of work assignments based on project timelines and workload. Acts on behalf of the business and Accountable Executive. Develops/leads the strategy of UAT across various projects, typically for large & complex projects (Class A & B projects). Coordinates the management of databases; ensures alignment and integration of data in adherence with data governance standards. Monitors and tracks performance, and addresses any issues. Designs and produces regular and ad-hoc reports, and dashboards. Coordinates the work of UAT Testers and acts as a senior resource on the team and provides feedback on the tests plans. Builds change management plans of varying scope and type; leads or participates in a variety of change management activities including readiness assessments, planning, stakeholder management, execution, evaluation and sustainment of initiatives. Leads or participates in defining the communication plan designed to positively influence or change behaviour; develops tailored messaging; and identifies appropriate distribution channels. Manages significantly more business users to perform testing based on the complexity of the projects supported (e.g., 25+ business users). Directs the planning & implementation of operational programs and executes within required service level agreements and standards. Performs user acceptance testing for projects of various complexities, including but not limited to developing & managing the test strategy, creating & reviewing test cases to ensure traceability, executing test cases, escalating issues, logging outcomes, facilitating/participating in defect meetings, reviewing & validating defect resolutions and developing the exit report. Develops UAT solutions and makes recommendations based on an understanding of the business strategy and stakeholder needs. Provides advice and guidance to assigned business/group on implementation of UAT solutions. Develops and maintains in-depth knowledge of end to end business processes and project requirements through close partnership with business/group stakeholders. Coordinates the appropriate parties to execute the overall test plan for project; including identifying key participants to execute the plan, providing estimates on the UAT cycle, determining the UAT schedule, prioritizing test execution, monitoring the test progress, and escalating as required. Collaborates with internal & external stakeholders to provide business context in the design, develop and implementation of UAT solutions. Builds effective relationships with internal/external stakeholders. Leads or participates in change management activities of varying scope and type. Breaks down strategic problems, and analyses data and information to provide UAT insights and recommendations. Monitors and tracks UAT performance results and addresses any issues. Focus is primarily on business/group within BMO; may have broader, enterprise-wide focus. Provides specialized consulting, analytical and technical support. Exercises judgment to identify, diagnose, and solve problems within given rules. Works independently and regularly handles non-routine situations. Broader work or accountabilities may be assigned as needed. Take measured risks while protecting the bank by applying our Risk Management Framework in the execution of your role, in line with our Risk Culture and within our approved Risk Appetite, making sound and risk informed decisions that align to business strategy, protect assets, and adhere to applicable policy documents (Frameworks, Policies, Standards, Procedures and Supporting documents), laws and regulations.

Requirements

Typically between 5 - 7 years of relevant experience and post-secondary degree in related field of study or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Solid understanding of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and experience working in Agile, Waterfall and hybrid delivery models.
Hands on experience developing UAT test strategies, test plans, test cases and traceability matrices aligned to business requirements.
Experience managing defect life cycles.
Proficiency with test management tools such as Jira, HP AL/Quality Center.
Working knowledge of core banking products and processes.
Openness to adopting or evaluating emerging AI tools that improved test coverage and reduce manual efforts.
Verbal & written communication skills - In-depth.
Collaboration & team skills - In-depth.
Analytical and problem solving skills - In-depth.
Influence skills - In-depth.
Data driven decision making - In-depth.

Responsibilities

Leads end to end user acceptance testing for banking applications, ensuring software releases meet business requirements and regulatory standards.
Partners with senior business and technology stakeholders to drive release governance and testing excellence, engaging stakeholders to ensure risk aligned, audit ready delivery outcomes.
Acts as a trusted advisor to assigned business/group.
Influences and negotiates to achieve business objectives.
Assists in the development of strategic plans.
Identifies emerging issues and trends to inform decision-making.
Makes recommendations to the business/group and project team on the strategy, approach, and rigor of UAT required based on the Enterprise UAT Operating Guideline and Process and Industry best practices.
May review the work of other UAT analysts to ensure quality of work.
Supports the execution of strategic initiatives in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
Helps determine business priorities and best sequence for execution of business/group strategy.
Conducts independent analysis and assessment to resolve strategic issues.
Supports the UAT intake process by making decisions regarding the prioritization of work assignments based on project timelines and workload.
Acts on behalf of the business and Accountable Executive.
Develops/leads the strategy of UAT across various projects, typically for large & complex projects (Class A & B projects).
Coordinates the management of databases; ensures alignment and integration of data in adherence with data governance standards.
Monitors and tracks performance, and addresses any issues.
Designs and produces regular and ad-hoc reports, and dashboards.
Coordinates the work of UAT Testers and acts as a senior resource on the team and provides feedback on the tests plans.
Builds change management plans of varying scope and type; leads or participates in a variety of change management activities including readiness assessments, planning, stakeholder management, execution, evaluation and sustainment of initiatives.
Leads or participates in defining the communication plan designed to positively influence or change behaviour; develops tailored messaging; and identifies appropriate distribution channels.
Manages significantly more business users to perform testing based on the complexity of the projects supported (e.g., 25+ business users).
Directs the planning & implementation of operational programs and executes within required service level agreements and standards.
Performs user acceptance testing for projects of various complexities, including but not limited to developing & managing the test strategy, creating & reviewing test cases to ensure traceability, executing test cases, escalating issues, logging outcomes, facilitating/participating in defect meetings, reviewing & validating defect resolutions and developing the exit report.
Develops UAT solutions and makes recommendations based on an understanding of the business strategy and stakeholder needs.
Provides advice and guidance to assigned business/group on implementation of UAT solutions.
Develops and maintains in-depth knowledge of end to end business processes and project requirements through close partnership with business/group stakeholders.
Coordinates the appropriate parties to execute the overall test plan for project; including identifying key participants to execute the plan, providing estimates on the UAT cycle, determining the UAT schedule, prioritizing test execution, monitoring the test progress, and escalating as required.
Collaborates with internal & external stakeholders to provide business context in the design, develop and implementation of UAT solutions.
Builds effective relationships with internal/external stakeholders.
Leads or participates in change management activities of varying scope and type.
Breaks down strategic problems, and analyses data and information to provide UAT insights and recommendations.
Monitors and tracks UAT performance results and addresses any issues.
Provides specialized consulting, analytical and technical support.
Exercises judgment to identify, diagnose, and solve problems within given rules.
Works independently and regularly handles non-routine situations.
Broader work or accountabilities may be assigned as needed.
Take measured risks while protecting the bank by applying our Risk Management Framework in the execution of your role, in line with our Risk Culture and within our approved Risk Appetite, making sound and risk informed decisions that align to business strategy, protect assets, and adhere to applicable policy documents (Frameworks, Policies, Standards, Procedures and Supporting documents), laws and regulations.