Testing Manager

Job Description and Duties

Under administrative direction provided by the CSPS Functional Team Chief (ITM II), the Testing Manager (ITM I) is responsible for managing the testing team performing a variety of complex analytical, technical, and project management activities for the California State Payroll System (CSPS) Project, a statewide initiative to modernize and replace the State’s personnel and payroll systems. CSPS will deliver a modern Human Capital Management (HCM) and Payroll solution utilizing CGI Advantage to support position control administration, personnel administration, benefits administration, time management, travel advance and expense management, payroll processing, employee self-service, and streamlined business processes.

The incumbent is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and overseeing all testing activities associated with the implementation of the future solution. The Testing Manager provides leadership and direction to Test Architects, Test Analysts, vendor resources, and business testing participants responsible for validating system functionality, business processes, interfaces, and payroll calculations. The incumbent ensures testing activities are executed in accordance with industry best practices, the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), System Testing Life Cycle (STLC), Agile methodologies, and project governance standards.

The incumbent serves as the project authority for testing strategy, test execution, defect management, testing governance, and testing readiness activities. The Testing Manager is responsible for ensuring the successful planning, coordination, execution, monitoring, and completion of System Integration Testing (SIT), User Acceptance Testing (UAT), Interface Testing, Regression Testing, and Parallel Testing activities. The incumbent ensures all testing activities provide sufficient validation that the future solution meets business requirements, complies with applicable policies and regulations, and functions as intended before production implementation.

The incumbent must demonstrate advanced knowledge of software testing methodologies, quality assurance principles, business systems analysis, risk management, project management practices, change management processes, and complex enterprise system implementations.

Duties Performed:
(Candidates must perform the following functions with or without reasonable accommodations.)

• Provides leadership and management oversight for all testing activities supporting the CSPS Project. Establishes testing policies, procedures, standards, and objectives to ensure consistent execution across all testing phases. Directly supervises Test Architects and Test Analysts and is responsible for assigning work, setting priorities, evaluating performance, developing staff, and ensuring adequate training and resource allocation.

• Develops and maintains a high-performing testing organization capable of supporting the complex testing requirements of statewide personnel and payroll system implementation. Ensures testing resources possess the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to effectively perform assigned responsibilities.

• Provides strategic direction regarding testing readiness, testing risks, testing scope, defect management, quality assurance practices, and release recommendations.

• Monitors testing progress and defect trends to identify risks, issues, and quality concerns. Directs corrective actions necessary to maintain project schedules and test objectives. Establishes and monitors testing quality metrics and key performance indicators to measure testing effectiveness and project readiness. Ensure all testing activities comply with SCO office standards, established quality assurance standards, project methodologies, governance requirements, implementation milestones, and industry best practices.

• Directs the development, maintenance, and execution of comprehensive testing strategies, testing plans, testing schedules, and testing procedures for all project testing activities. Oversee the planning, coordination, execution, monitoring, reporting, and successful completion of all project testing phases, including: System Integration Testing (SIT); User Acceptance Testing (UAT); Interface Testing; Regression Testing; Parallel Testing.

• Leads the planning and execution of User Acceptance Testing (UAT) by establishing testing schedules, coordinating State and vendor testing resources, coordinating testers across multiple departments and vendors, confirming business tester availability for training and execution, monitoring testing progress, and ensuring business validation activities are completed in accordance with project timelines, quality standards, and implementation objectives.

• Provides management oversight for the planning and coordination of integration and interface testing activities to ensure successful end-to-end validation of system integrations, interfaces, and business processes. Manage UAT readiness, stake holder engagement, and production cutover testing.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position is located at The Emerald Tower on Capitol Mall, steps from Tower Bridge and is walking distance to the State Capitol. The building offers affordable monthly parking, employee gym access, an amenities center, and a beautiful mid-tower garden terrace. It is conveniently situated only blocks from Old Sacramento, numerous restaurants, a seasonal farmer’s market, and the Crocker Art Museum. Overlooking the Golden 1 Arena and Downtown Commons, the office is accessible from Sacramento Regional Transit’s light rail and bus systems, with convenient access to I-5, I-80, US 50 & US 99. 

This position is eligible for hybrid telework under California Government Code Section 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California. All telework schedules are subject to change and may be reevaluated at any time. Specific telework arrangements may be discussed in more detail with the respective hiring manager. Telework does not change the terms and conditions of employment, the essential functions of job duties, or required compliance with the State Controller's Office policies. 

In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction.

Special Requirements

A resume is required. 

A Statement of Qualifications is required; please see ‘Required Application Package Documents’ for instructions. 

Take the required examination here: Information Technology Manager I Examination

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Ability to uphold SCO's T.R.U.S.T.E.D values

• Ability to communicate effectively while using tact and good judgment

• Ability to work under pressure with changing priorities and/or deadlines

• Ability to work well with others at all levels

• Ability to formulate and recommend policies and procedures

• Ability to analyze and resolve complex business problems

• Ability to make critical and timely decisions

• Ability to develop and foster collaborative working relationships

• Ability to develop new and innovative approaches and recommend changes

• Ability to guide staff in navigating sensitive situations

• Ability to guide staff in the completion of project artifacts from various sources to facilitate software design, development, testing and implementation

• Experience with IBM Doors, JIRA, and SharePoint

• Experience with application development concepts, methodologies, best practices and tools

• Experience with Vendor Management

• Experience with reviewing and approving contract deliverables

• Experience planning, directing, mentoring, and coaching project teams

• Excellent attendance, dependability, initiative and independence

• Knowledge of emerging technologies and their application to business processes

• Knowledge of and experience with the Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC) principles and practices

• Knowledge of the California Project Management Framework

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications -

  Please submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) responding to the prompts below. The SOQ should be no longer than two pages in length and size 12 font. Include your first and last name in the upper right corner. Applications submitted without a SOQ in a narrative format will automatically be excluded from the recruitment process.

  • Describe your relative work experience in leading a large project team through the various phases of the System Testing Development Lifecycle (STLC) and System Development Lifecycle.

  Resumes and cover letters cannot be substituted for the SOQs. Applications submitted without the SOQ will not be considered for the position.