Programme Test Assurance Manager/ConsultantLocation: Basingstoke - Full-time onsite Clearance: Active DV Clearance required Contract: 18-month contract IR35 Status: Outside IR35Rate: 600 to 700 per dayWe''re supporting a major defence programme seeking an experienced Programme Test Assurance Manager to lead assurance and acceptance activities across a highly complex, multi-workstream delivery environment.This is not a traditional test management role. The focus is on programme-level capability assurance, acceptance governance, integration readiness, and delivery confidence across infrastructure, systems, and software domains operating at significant scale.You''ll work across multiple Agile delivery teams, suppliers, and technical disciplines to ensure the programme delivers operational capability that is assured, accepted, and deployment-ready.Key ResponsibilitiesLead programme-wide test assurance and capability acceptance activities across complex delivery streamsProvide independent assurance across infrastructure, systems integration, software, and operational capability deliveryCoordinate assurance activities across multiple Agile / SAFe teams and suppliersManage dependencies, risks, integration points, and acceptance criteria across the programme landscapeEnsure governance, readiness, and evidence frameworks support formal capability acceptanceDrive alignment between engineering, delivery, test, security, and operational stakeholdersOversee assurance reporting, quality ..... full job details .....