Quality Chapter Lead

The Quality Assurance Chapter Lead is a pivotal role responsible for fostering a culture of quality, community, and continuous improvement within a specific group of Quality Assurance Specialists and Engineers (the "Chapter") across various product teams. This individual acts as a servant leader, prioritizing the needs and growth of their chapter members, enabling them to deliver high-quality software effectively and champion quality practices across the organization. This role balances individual development, knowledge sharing, and the consistent application of best practices within the quality assurance discipline.

Key Responsibilities:

• Servant Leadership & Empowerment:

  • Act as a servant leader, prioritizing the needs, well-being, and professional growth of the QA Specialists and Engineers within the chapter.

  • Foster a culture of autonomy, trust, and continuous learning within the QA discipline.

  • Empower QA professionals to make informed decisions about testing strategies, tools, and processes, and take ownership of quality within their teams.

  • Facilitate problem-solving and remove impediments that hinder the chapter members' effectiveness and their ability to ensure quality.

• Community Building & Collaboration:

  • Cultivate a strong sense of community and belonging within the Quality Assurance Chapter.

  • Facilitate regular meetings, knowledge-sharing sessions, and workshops to encourage collaboration, cross-pollination of testing expertise, and the sharing of best practices.

  • Create opportunities for QA professionals to connect, learn from each other's experiences, and build relationships across different product teams.

  • Promote a culture of open communication, constructive feedback on testing approaches, and peer support within the chapter.

• Skill Development & Mentorship:

  • Identify individual and collective skill gaps within the QA Chapter and develop strategies to address them (e.g., training, workshops, mentorship programs, conference participation, certifications).

  • Provide guidance, coaching, and mentorship to QA professionals at various levels of experience, fostering their technical and domain expertise in quality assurance.

  • Support the career growth and development of chapter members through regular discussions and development planning.

  • Facilitate the sharing and adoption of new testing methodologies, tools, and automation frameworks within the chapter.

• Quality Excellence & Consistency:

  • Champion and promote the adoption of consistent and effective quality assurance standards, practices, and principles across different product teams (e.g., test planning, test design, automation strategies, performance testing, security testing).

  • Collaborate with other Chapter Leads and Engineering/Product Leadership to define and evolve quality standards and guidelines.

  • Ensure a shared understanding and application of the overall quality vision and strategy within the chapter.

  • Facilitate discussions and alignment on key quality decisions and approaches.

• Alignment & Communication with Leadership:

  • Act as a conduit between the Quality Assurance Chapter and Engineering/Product Leadership, ensuring clear communication of chapter needs, quality challenges, and progress on quality initiatives.

  • Contribute to the development and execution of the overall quality strategy and roadmap.

  • Provide input and feedback to Leadership on organizational structure, processes, and initiatives that impact the quality assurance function.

• Performance & Growth Enablement:

  • Support QA professionals in setting clear quality goals and measuring their impact on product quality.

  • Provide feedback and guidance on performance and areas for professional growth in quality assurance.

  • Contribute to the performance review process for chapter members, providing valuable insights and context on their quality contributions.

  • Advocate for the resources and tools needed for the chapter members to excel in their quality assurance roles.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Extensive experience (typically 7+ years) as a Quality Assurance Specialist or Engineer, with increasing levels of responsibility and impact across multiple projects.

• Demonstrated experience in mentoring, coaching, or leading other QA professionals (formally or informally).

• Deep understanding of various testing methodologies, frameworks, and best practices across the software development lifecycle.

• Proven experience in designing and implementing effective test strategies and automation frameworks.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and technical facilitation skills.

• A genuine passion for fostering a culture of quality and empowering others to excel in QA.

• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships and foster collaboration within the QA community.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a quality-focused mindset.

• Experience working in an Agile environment and advocating for quality best practices.

• A growth mindset and a commitment to continuous learning within the quality assurance domain.

Personal Attributes:

• Quality Advocate: Passionate about ensuring high-quality software and a positive user experience.

• Empathetic and Supportive: Genuinely cares about the professional development and well-being of others.

• Excellent Listener: Actively seeks to understand the challenges and aspirations of chapter members in their pursuit of quality.

• Strong Communicator: Articulates complex quality concepts clearly and effectively.

• Facilitator: Skilled at guiding discussions and fostering collaborative problem-solving around quality issues.

• Patient and Encouraging: Provides ongoing support and guidance in their QA journey.

• Visionary (Quality): Understands the broader quality vision and can help align the chapter's efforts to achieve it.

• Servant-Hearted: Prioritizes the professional growth and success of the QA team above their own individual contributions.