Verification & Validation (QA) Snr Manager

Our client, a Fortune 50 organization located in Etobicoke, has engaged ROSS to help them recruit a Senior Manager, Verification and Validation. ROSS is a team of People Specialists helping companies align their People Strategy with their business growth. We provide remote or site HR and Recruitment solutions complemented by leading edge open-source HRIS software.

The Senior Manager of Software Verification and Validation within the Toronto Software group leads, directs, and is accountable for all Software Verification and Validation activities completed by a functional group of software testers and product specialists of varying experience, who develop and execute Software Test programmes of varying scope and depth. This function includes the development and execution of Test Specifications, Test Procedure development and automated test suites. The manager of the functional group must oversee the liaison with Software Requirements, Software Development and other organisations to ensure that accurate, complete and sophisticated V&V programmes are established, to ensure the quality of the released software products and services. As a member of the software management team, the incumbent may also be required to manage projects as necessary, and where necessary will be responsible for the successful completion of external V&V programmes, which might include OEM supplier V&V programmes, and/or pre-market trials conducted by customers or other third parties. The individual selected to manage this functional group will have full responsibility for the completeness, integrity and timeliness of the output of the functional group members, while ensuring adherence to process standards required within the regulated environment of the healthcare industry. The functional manager will also be responsible for ensuring that standards and procedures pertinent to this discipline evolve and are deployed in pursuit of functional excellence within the discipline.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Leads and directs Verification and Validation personnel, taking full responsibility for the technical integrity of their output, and the timely and accurate completion of assigned tasks.
2. Plays a directive and technically expert role in all aspects of the Verification & Validation process.
3. Works with Software Management to support the development of, and ensure adherence to, Functional excellence within the Verification and Validation discipline, and develops and applies suitable metrics to monitor and improve process compliance.
4. Acts as a tools, techniques and process authority within the discipline, providing focus, and guiding and mentoring less senior staff.
5. Supervises, and leads the functional team, including:
1. Responsibility for all man-management, cost management, and technical management required within the function.
2. Identification of training and development needs for assigned personnel.
3. Preparation and presentation of performance appraisals for assigned personnel.
4. Significant participation in hiring activities including identification of candidates and interviewing.
5. Acts as a leading contributor to the Verification & Validation team, providing a high level of technical mentorship to peers and others as appropriate.
6. May be required to act as project lead on projects of varying complexity and scale.
7. Manages the development and execution of Verification & Validation programmes completed by external agencies. This may include supervision and oversight of OEM supplier programmes, and/or pre-market trials conducted by customers or other third parties.
8. Leads his/her team to meet the commitments made in the schedules; developing alternatives where schedule or quality might be compromised, and manages re-assignments to balance workload, priorities and business commitments.
9. Consults with all other departments, including marketing, Regulatory and Medical affairs etc., and external contacts to support the needs of the Verification and Validation process, acting as an ambassador for the company and department.
10. Supports the Software Director with developing direction, strategy and policy for the Software Department, providing support to the Director for company-wide duties and meeting demands on the overall team.

You Must Have…

1. 2+ years managing or leading a QA or V&V team.
2. 8+ years of Verification or Validation or QA experience.
3. Strong experience with regulated environments and process (IEEE, CMM, ISO, FDA, etc).
4. Ability and experience to see the “big picture” and contribute to executive level decision-making regarding V&V impact on product development, risk management, etc.

You Also Have…

1. Executive-level written and verbal communication skills.
2. Knowledge of practices and procedures for Software test and validation principles.
3. Detailed Software design process understanding (incl. software lifecycles etc.).
4. Demonstrated ability to manage multifunctional technical staff engaged in multiple projects simultaneously.
5. University degree in a pertinent discipline (eg. Computer Science, or Electronic Engineering etc.).

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