Principal Quality Assurance (QA) Consultant

Job Description

Job Title: Principal Quality Assurance (QA) Consultant

About us:

Cielo Costa is a values-driven, globally expanding consultancy specialising in Microsoft technologies. We pride ourselves on our exceptional team dynamic and our ability to craft solutions that intelligently resolve real business problems. Our expertise spans full-stack web development, SharePoint, Microsoft 365, and Microsoft Azure.

Role overview

As the Senior Manager of the QA team you will lead a team of onshore and offshore QA Analysts, ensuring the delivery of high-quality testing  services to our customers. You will manage and optimise QA processes, collaborate with other departments, and maintain customer satisfaction. This senior management position extends your impact beyond day-to-day operations and supports the Director of Technology in establishing a best-of-breed QA capability at Cielo Costa.

Key responsibilities

• Team management: Provide guidance, coaching, and development opportunities for QA analysts.

• Service delivery: Oversee QA services delivery, ensuring commitments are met and customer expectations are exceeded.

• Business development: Collaborate with our Sales and Marketing team to support the sales and growth of dedicated QA service lines.

• Customer engagement: Work closely with customers to understand their needs and ensure their satisfaction.

• Process improvement: Develop and implement processes and procedures to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of QA services.

• Collaboration: Collaborate with other departments to ensure seamless service delivery.

• Performance monitoring: Monitor and analyse key performance indicators to identify areas for improvement.

• Industry trends: Stay up-to-date with industry trends and developments to ensure our services remain competitive.

What we seek in you

Strategic Vision and Process Optimisation
You will define and deliver the roadmap for QA  capabilities at Cielo Costa, ensuring alignment with our business goals and customer needs. This includes:

• Developing robust test planning and strategy frameworks to guide QA efforts.

• Establishing scalable configuration management practices, ensuring consistency across environments and project phases.

• Creating meaningful metrics and KPIs to evaluate the success of QA  practices and providing actionable insights to the Director of Technology and the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT).

Leadership and Team Development
As a senior leader, you will inspire and guide your team to excel, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous growth by:

• Defining clear goals and responsibilities for QA  teams to align their efforts with project and organisational objectives.

• Enhancing communication across geographically distributed teams using innovative collaboration tools and practices.

• Coaching team members to improve their technical and professional skills, creating opportunities for development and career progression.

Business Development and Customer Engagement
You will be a key contributor to the growth of Cielo Costa’s QA  service lines, working closely with Sales, Marketing, and Delivery teams to demonstrate value and secure new opportunities. Specific responsibilities include:

• Estimation and Scoping: Develop robust processes for scoping and estimating QA  work, ensuring estimates are accurate, consistent, and aligned with customer needs.

• Estimation Reviews: Lead estimation review processes, addressing queries from internal and external stakeholders to ensure transparency and clarity.

• Proposal Support: Collaborate with Sales and Marketing to tailor proposals, highlighting the strategic value of  BA services.

• Client Relationships: Engage directly with customers to understand their challenges, ensuring our services are positioned as effective and tailored solutions.

• Value Advocacy: Act as a champion for QA practices, educating both internal teams and clients on their benefits to project success.

• Growth Opportunities: Identify and act on opportunities to expand QA offerings within existing client relationships, fostering long-term partnerships.

Collaboration and Continuous Improvement
You will be at the forefront of creating a unified, high-performing team that thrives on shared knowledge and continuous learning. Specific responsibilities include:

• Encouraging collaboration and the sharing of best practices across onshore and offshore teams.

• Evaluating the impact of changes, such as new processes or tools, and driving data-informed improvements.

• Promoting a culture of adaptability, enabling the team to meet evolving business and customer needs.

Required Skills and Competencies

Technical Skills

• Experience with testing tools such as Selenium, Azure DevOps, or TestRail.

• Familiarity with Azure services, including Azure SQL, App Services, Cosmos DB, and Entra ID Groups.

• Proficiency in software development life cycles, programming languages, and databases.

• Strong analytical skills to identify root causes of issues and devise effective solutions.

• Understanding of automation frameworks and their application to improve testing efficiency.

• Expertise in BA tools and techniques, such as requirements gathering, process modelling, and gap analysis.

• Familiarity with documentation tools such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Visio for creating detailed business requirements and process flows.

• Experience using collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams and SharePoint for managing distributed teams and sharing documentation.

• Knowledge of Agile and Waterfall methodologies, with the ability to adapt BA processes to different project frameworks.

Customer Service Skills

• Ability to actively listen and respond to customer feedback to ensure their needs are met.

• Empathy and understanding when addressing customer concerns and challenges.

• Proficiency in explaining QA and BA practices and their value in a clear, approachable manner.

• Strong focus on problem-solving to deliver effective solutions and maintain customer satisfaction.

Communication and Leadership Skills

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate technical processes and benefits to diverse audiences.

• Active listening skills to understand customer needs and team concerns.

• Ability to foster collaboration across teams and geographies, leveraging virtual tools effectively.

• Strong leadership qualities to inspire, motivate, and develop high-performing teams.

Sales and Business Development Skills

• Strong understanding of the QA service lines to effectively communicate their value proposition.

• Experience with consultative selling, tailoring solutions to meet individual customer needs.

• Ability to develop and present proposals to clients and stakeholders, demonstrating strategic and technical insights.

• Capacity to identify and nurture opportunities for business growth within existing and new client relationships.

Our Technology Philosophy

• Ethical standards: Maintain high ethical standards in both external and internal relationships.

• Adaptability: Remain sensitive to external forces affecting our industry and adjust accordingly.

• Fact-founded approach: Base decisions on evidence and data.

• Innovation: Embrace innovation as part of our DNA.

• Customer satisfaction: Build strong relationships with customers and prioritise their needs.

• Guiding principles: Our philosophy evolves over time, influenced by leadership, trial and error, and our commitment to excellence.