R&D Application Testing Lead

Welcome to Haleon. We’re a purpose-driven, world-class consumer company putting everyday health in the hands of millions. In just three years since our launch, we’ve grown, evolved and are now entering an exciting new chapter – one filled with bold ambitions and enormous opportunity.
Our trusted portfolio of brands – including Sensodyne®, Panadol®, Advil®, Voltaren®, Theraflu®, Otrivin®, and Centrum® – lead in resilient and growing categories. What sets us apart is our unique blend of deep human understanding and trusted science.
Now it’s time to fully realise the full potential of our business and our people. We do this through our Win as One strategy. It puts our purpose – to deliver better everyday health with humanity – at the heart of everything we do. It unites us, inspires us, and challenges us to be better every day, driven by our agile, performance-focused culture.

About the role

The R&D Application Testing Lead is responsible for leading the testing function across the R&D application portfolio, covering Clinical, Regulatory, Safety, Innovation PPM, Laboratory, and other R&D systems. 

This role owns the test strategy, test automation approach, and quality execution for both run (BAU) and change (projects, enhancements, upgrades), ensuring solutions are fit for purpose, stable, and compliant within a GxP regulated environment. 

The role acts as the single point of accountability for testing quality across R&D applications, working closely with Product Managers, DevOps, Application Support, vendors, and business stakeholders. 

Role Responsibilities

Test Strategy & Quality Leadership 

• Define and own the E2E testing strategy for R&D applications, is effectively integrated into agile, sprint‑based delivery with strong emphasis on automation-first approach.

  
  
  

• Establish and maintain testing standards, frameworks, and best practices across the R&D portfolio, ensuring testing effort is appropriately scaled using a risk‑based approach.

  
  
  

• Ensure consistent application of functional, regression, integration, and UAT testing across projects and BAU changes. 

  
  
  

Test Automation 

• Lead the design, implementation, and maintenance of test automation frameworks for R&D applications.

  
  
  

• Own and maintain automation roadmap to increase automation coverage across critical R&D systems to improve speed, reliability, and release confidence. 

  
  
  

• Identify suitable tools and approaches for UI, API, and integration testing, aligned with enterprise standards. 

  
  
  

• Ensure automated testing is properly adopted across the full product lifecycle.

  
  
  

• Ensure automation assets are reusable, maintainable, and integrated into CI/CD and release pipelines where applicable. 

  
  
  

Project & Release Testing 

• Lead testing activities for new projects, enhancements, upgrades, and vendor releases across R&D applications. 

  
  
  

• Lead test planning and execution, including:  

  
  
  

  • System Testing 

    
    
    

  • Regression Testing 

    
    
    

  • Integration Testing 

    
    
    

  • UAT support 

    
    
    

• Coordinate closely with DevOps and Application Support to support release readiness and post deployment validation. 

  
  
  

GxP Compliance & Validation Support 

• Ensure all testing activities comply with regulatory requirements, including GxP principles.

  
  
  

• Support creation and maintenance of validation deliverables, including:  

  
  
  

  • Test strategies and plans 

    
    
    

  • Test scripts and evidence 

    
    
    

  • Requirement traceability

    
    
    

  • Defect records management

    
    
    

• Support audits and inspections by providing testing evidence and documentation. 

  
  
  

Defect & Risk Management 

• Own defect management processes, including triage, prioritization, and retesting. 

  
  
  

• Provide clear visibility of quality risks, test status, and readiness to Product and delivery teams. 

  
  
  

• Proactively identify quality risks and recommend mitigation actions. 

  
  
  

Stakeholder & Vendor Collaboration 

• Act as the primary testing interface for Product Managers, QA, DevOps, vendors, and business users. 

  
  
  

• Orchestrate testing delivery across internal teams and external partners to ensure predictable, timely, and high‑quality outcomes, leveraging global onshore/offshore and follow‑the‑sun capabilities where required

  
  
  

Continuous Improvement 

• Drive continuous improvement in testing efficiency, automation maturity, and defect prevention. 

  
  
  

• Define and own quality metrics and drive data-driven decisions based on the reporting insights.

  
  
  

• Support onboarding new applications into the R&D testing landscape. 

  
  
  

Why you?

Basic Qualifications:

• 6–8 years of experience in application testing or quality engineering.

  
  
  

• Proven experience leading testing across multiple enterprise applications.

  
  
  

• Strong hands-on experience in test automation (UI and/or API). 

  
  
  

• Experience working in Life Sciences, Healthcare, or regulated environments. 

  
  
  

• Solid understanding of GxP and validation concepts.

  
  
  

• Proficiency in test management and defect tracking tools (e.g., Jira, ALM).

  
  
  

• Strong communication skills and ability to work with global stakeholders. 

  
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in testing Veeva Vault (Clinical, Regulatory, Safety) or similar R&D platforms.

  
  
  

• Exposure to Innovation PPM, LIMS, ELN, or laboratory systems. 

  
  
  

• Experience integrating test automation into CI/CD pipelines. 

  
  
  

• Knowledge of cloud-based applications and modern testing approaches. 

  
  
  

• Experience coordinating testing with vendors and system integrators.

  
  
  

• Handson testing leadership role (not people management heavy) 

  
  
  

• Strong automation and execution focus 

  
  
  

• Works independently with defined objectives

  
  
  

• Critical to release confidence, compliance, and R&D system stability.

  
  
  

 Job Posting End Date

Haleon are committed to mobilising our purpose in a way that represents the diverse consumers and communities who rely on our brands every day. It guides us in creating an inclusive culture, where different backgrounds and views are valued and respected – all in support of understanding and best serving the needs of our consumers and unleashing the full potential of our people. It’s important to us that Haleon is a place where all our employees feel they truly belong.
During the application process, we may ask you to share some personal information, which is entirely voluntary. This information ensures we meet certain regulatory and reporting obligations and supports the development, refinement, and execution of our inclusion and belonging programmes that are open to all Haleon employees. 
The personal information you provide will be kept confidential, used only for legitimate business purposes, and will never be used in making any employment decisions, including hiring decisions.

If you require a reasonable adjustment or accommodation or other assistance to apply for a job at Haleon at any stage of the application process, please let your recruiter know by providing them with a description of specific adjustments you are requesting. We’ll provide all reasonable adjustments to support you throughout the recruitment process and treat all information you provide us in confidence. 

The Haleon recruitment team will contact you using a Haleon email account (@haleon.com). If you are not sure whether the email you received is from Haleon, please get in touch.