Test Lead - Credit Decisioning

Job description / Role

We are looking for an experienced test lead with strong banking and credit/lending domain knowledge to lead the testing activities for an end-to-end credit decisioning programme.

The candidate will work closely with business, IT, risk, credit, TCOE and implementation partner teams from test planning through SIT, UAT, Go-Live and post-production support.

Roles & responsibilities

• Own and manage the overall test strategy, test plan and test schedule.
• Lead SIT, integration testing, regression testing, UAT and Go-Live readiness.
• Define test scope, entry/exit criteria, quality gates and release-readiness criteria.
• Manage the complete defect lifecycle, including triage, prioritization, tracking and closure.
• Ensure adequate test coverage across Micro/mSME, Mid Corporate and Large Corporate lending.
• Validate credit processes including credit origination, underwriting, financial spreading, risk rating, pricing, approval and limit setup.
• Ensure proper testing of credit rules, segmentation, approval authority and workflow processes.
• Lead API and integration testing with external and internal banking systems.
• Review and validate test scenarios, test cases and expected results.
• Remain hands-on and personally test high-risk and critical business scenarios.
• Oversee performance and other non-functional testing activities.
• Plan and lead UAT with business users and ensure formal business sign-off.
• Prepare test status reports, highlight risks and provide clear Go/No-Go recommendations.
• Lead and manage functional, automation, performance and vendor testing teams.
• Coordinate with implementation partners and ensure timely delivery of testing activities.
• Support Go-Live, hypercare and post-implementation verification.
• Mentor team members and ensure high-quality testing standards.

Requirements

• 12+ years of overall experience in software testing / QA.
• At least 6 years of experience as a test lead / test manager with team management experience.
• Strong experience in banking, credit, lending, loan origination or credit decisioning projects.
• Strong understanding of Micro/mSME, Mid Corporate and Large Corporate lending processes.
• Experience delivering at least 2 end-to-end lending, loan origination or credit decisioning implementations from testing through Go-Live.
• Strong experience in test strategy, test planning, SIT, UAT, regression and defect management.
• Hands-on experience in API and integration testing.
• Experience with credit bureaux, risk-rating engines, financial spreading systems, core banking and external partner integrations.
• Good understanding of SQL and data validation.
• Experience with tools such as JIRA, Azure DevOps, ALM, Zephyr or qTest.
• Knowledge of automation tools such as Selenium, Playwright, Cypress, REST Assured or Postman is preferred.
• Experience managing internal, vendor and implementation-partner testing teams.
• Experience working in Agile, Hybrid and vendor-led environments.
• UAE/GCC banking experience is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of UAE banking and regulatory requirements is an advantage.
• ISTQB certification is preferred.
• Bachelors degree in Computer Science, IT, Engineering, Banking & Finance or a related field.