UAT Lead

This is a hybrid role.

About the role

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, influencing and negotiating to achieve business objectives. Assists in the development of strategic plans and identifies emerging issues and trends to inform decision-making.

Makes recommendations 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. Supports the execution of strategic initiatives in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders and helps determine business priorities.

Conducts independent analysis and assessment to resolve strategic issues. Supports the UAT intake process by prioritizing work assignments based on project timelines and workload. Acts on behalf of the business and Accountable Executive. Develops and leads the UAT strategy across various projects, typically for large and complex projects (Class A & B). Coordinates the management of databases, ensuring alignment and integration of data in adherence with data governance standards.

Monitors and tracks performance, addressing any issues. Designs and produces regular and ad-hoc reports and dashboards. Coordinates the work of UAT Testers, acting as a senior resource on the team, and provides feedback on test plans. Builds change management plans and leads or participates in change management activities, including readiness assessments, planning, stakeholder management, execution, evaluation, and sustainment of initiatives.

Leads or participates in defining communication plans to positively influence or change behavior, develops tailored messaging, and identifies appropriate distribution channels. Manages significantly more business users to perform testing based on project complexity (e.g., 25+ business users). Directs the planning and implementation of operational programs and executes within required service level agreements and standards.

Performs user acceptance testing for projects of various complexities, including developing and managing the test strategy, creating and reviewing test cases to ensure traceability, executing test cases, escalating issues, logging outcomes, facilitating or participating in defect meetings, reviewing and validating defect resolutions, and developing the exit report. Develops UAT solutions and makes recommendations based on business strategy and stakeholder needs.

Provides advice and guidance on the 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 appropriate parties to execute the overall test plan, including identifying key participants, providing estimates on the UAT cycle, determining the UAT schedule, prioritizing test execution, monitoring test progress, and escalating as required.

Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to provide business context in the design, development, and implementation of UAT solutions. Builds effective relationships with stakeholders and leads or participates in change management activities. Breaks down strategic problems and analyzes data 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 a 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.

Takes measured risks while protecting the bank by applying the Risk Management Framework in the execution of the role, in line with Risk Culture and within approved Risk Appetite, making sound and risk-informed decisions that align to business strategy, protect assets, and adhere to applicable policy documents, laws, and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end user acceptance testing for banking applications.
• Partner with senior business and technology stakeholders to drive release governance and testing excellence.
• Act as a trusted advisor to assigned business/group, influencing and negotiating to achieve business objectives.
• Assist in the development of strategic plans and identify emerging issues and trends.
• Make recommendations on UAT strategy, approach, and rigor based on Enterprise UAT Operating Guidelines and industry best practices.
• Review the work of other UAT analysts to ensure quality.
• Support the execution of strategic initiatives in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Determine business priorities and best sequence for execution of business/group strategy.
• Conduct independent analysis and assessment to resolve strategic issues.
• Support the UAT intake process by prioritizing work assignments.
• Develop and lead UAT strategy across large and complex projects.
• Coordinate the management of databases, ensuring data alignment and integration.
• Monitor and track performance, addressing issues as needed.
• Design and produce reports and dashboards.
• Coordinate the work of UAT Testers and provide feedback on test plans.
• Build and lead change management plans and activities.
• Define communication plans to influence behavior and develop tailored messaging.
• Manage business users performing testing (e.g., 25+ users).
• Direct planning and implementation of operational programs within SLAs.
• Perform UAT for projects, including test strategy, test case creation/review, execution, issue escalation, defect meetings, and exit reports.
• Develop UAT solutions and provide advice on their implementation.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of business processes and project requirements.
• Coordinate execution of the overall test plan, including scheduling, prioritization, and monitoring.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to provide business context in UAT solutions.
• Build effective relationships with internal/external stakeholders.
• Break down strategic problems and analyze data for UAT insights.
• Monitor and track UAT performance results.
• Apply Risk Management Framework to make risk-informed decisions.

Requirements

• Typically between 5 - 7 years of relevant experience and post-secondary degree in a 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 ALM/Quality Center.
• Working knowledge of core banking products and processes.
• Openness to adopting or evaluating emerging AI tools that improve test coverage and reduce manual efforts.

Skills

• 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.

Pay

Salary: $74,000.00 - $138,000.00 (salaried). Salaries will vary based on factors such as location, skills, experience, education, and qualifications for the role. For part-time roles, salaries will be pro-rated based on hours worked. For commission roles, the listed salary represents the expected target for the first year. Total compensation may include performance-based incentives, discretionary bonuses, and other perks and rewards.

Benefits

• Health insurance.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Accident and life insurance.
• Retirement savings plans.
• Performance-based incentives and discretionary bonuses.
• Other perks and rewards.

For more details, visit BMO Total Rewards.