Global Head of Testing Center of Excellence

Job Purpose

Job Purpose

We're looking for a leader to build and scale our Global Readiness Assurance Center of Excellence, extending RWS's proven testing capabilities into a broader, higher-value assurance offering. You will take an established strategic direction, shape it into a differentiated market proposition, and orchestrate the people, partners and delivery models needed to make it real. This is a role for someone who is energized by adapting a vision to make it a reality. They will also be leading some of the key strategic opportunities as a subject matter expert with a commercial hat. This is a dual-mandate role: half the job is building the internal engine (solution design, value optimization, market positioning, orchestrating sales to delivery working with partners etc.,), and half is being the face of the practice to clients — winning trust, consulting, sharing thought leadership, and turning pilots into repeatable revenue. Reporting to the Global Head of Testing, this position is an anchor role in designing the DNA and identity of RWS in global markets.

About RWS

The NASA Transform unit is part of the RWS Group, a unique, world-leading provider of technology-enabled language, content, data and intellectual property solutions. Through content transformation and multilingual data analysis, our unique combination of technology and cultural expertise helps our clients to grow by ensuring they are understood anywhere, in any language.  

Our purpose is unlocking global understanding. We work with over 80% of the world’s top 100 brands, more than three-quarters of Fortune’s 20 ‘Most Admired Companies’ and almost all of the top pharmaceutical companies, investment banks, law firms and patent filers. Our client base spans Europe, Asia Pacific and North and South America. Our 65+ global locations across five continents service clients in the automotive, chemical, financial, legal, medical, pharmaceutical, technology and telecommunications sectors.  

Founded in 1958, RWS is headquartered in the UK and publicly listed on AIM, the London Stock Exchange regulated market (RWS.L).  

For further information, please visit: RWS  

Job Overview

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the CoE strategy, roadmap, and operating model for the testing offering
• Build and maintain testing methodology, automation frameworks, accelerators, and reference architectures — with particular attention to Global Readiness given RWS's brand and offering
• Own the tool stack point of view (build vs. buy vs. partner) and manage vendor/alliance relationships
• Establish estimation models, staffing pyramids, and quality benchmarks (defect leakage, coverage, cycle time)
• Partner with pre-sales/solutioning on RFP responses, effort estimation, and proposal development for GRA/testing engagements
• Convert pilot engagements into referenceable case studies and expand relationships into recurring revenue
• Develop case studies derived from exciting and ongoing client engagements
• Drive the shift from traditional QA toward modern quality engineering practices, including AI-enabled testing where relevant
• Own certification and career-path frameworks for the practice's talent pool
• Engage in client facing sales activities to secure new business wins and coordinate with Marketing as appropriate.
• Positively promote RWS services and products at all times.
• Work with RWS marketing to inform and steer appropriate campaigns.
• Adhere to corporate branding guidelines in all proposals, emails and general communications.

Objectives

• Establish CoE: Build off of existing knowledge, capabilities and offerings to establish a GRA/Testing offering for RWS.
• Thought leadership: Develop and deliver new innovative solutions and market-leading offerings for clients.
• Expand Solution Offerings: Identify opportunities to introduce new services or products that address evolving client needs and bring ideas to reality through innovation & entrepreneurial approach.
• Innovation in value proposition: Connects dots across disciplines (localization, AI, QA, compliance, CX) to create propositions competitors can't easily copy.
• Develop pipeline working with GTM teams: Partner with sales leaders and account managers to develop market-ready solutions in the evolving world of requirements
• Ensure Client Satisfaction: In complex engagements, develop and deliver solutions that deliver expected business outcome to clients.
• Collaborate Across Departments: Work closely with sales, marketing, and product teams to align efforts and deliver integrated solutions to clients.
• Stay Informed on Industry Trends: Keep abreast of market developments, competitor activities, and emerging opportunities to provide strategic value to clients.
• Represent RWS in public forums: Be the expert in the room and deliver RWS’ vision, capabilities and value proposition with conviction and clarity.

Skills & Experience

• 12+ years in product/software/globalization testing, with 3+ years in a practice-building, CoE, or client-facing leadership role
• Proven track record standing up or scaling a Testing CoE or similar capability function
• Experience with Globalization/localization/linguistic QA or content-heavy testing domains
• Entrepreneurial spirit in taking idea to outcomes
• Exposure to AI/ML-driven testing tools and quality engineering transformation
• Experience with test automation frameworks and modern QA tooling (Selenium, Tricentis, Applitools, or equivalent)
• Strong client relationship management experience — comfortable in front of senior stakeholders
• Ability to present in public forums and large internal groups about GRA
• Ability to develop proposals and business case for clients/internal needs
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (or equivalent experience)
• Must value the customers success as much as your own.
• Willingness to travel as needed to meet objectives.

Benefits 

At RWS, we believe great people do their best work when they feel supported, empowered, and able to thrive both professionally and personally. That's why we offer:

• • Generous time away from work – Start with 25 days of paid time off (15 vacation days and 10 sick days), plus company holidays, a birthday day off, and paid time for volunteering in your community.
  • Comprehensive parental leave – Enjoy 100% paid parental leave, giving you the time and support you need during life's most important moments.
  • Retirement savings support – Plan for your future with our 401(k) retirement plan and company match.
  • Flexible ways of working – Benefit from our company-wide agile work policy, designed to support flexibility, trust, and work-life balance.
  • Growth and development opportunities – Access ongoing learning, professional development programs, and opportunities to expand your skills and career.
  • A collaborative and inclusive culture – Join a team of talented, supportive colleagues in a global environment that values diverse perspectives, innovation, and continuous learning.

Base Pay

$160,000 - $225,000 / year 

Actual rate of pay may vary based on factors including, but not limited to: position offered, location, education, training, and/or experience. Total compensation may also include variable incentives, bonuses, benefits, and/or other perks, as outlined in any formal offer made. 

*Candidates must reside in State advertised to be considered

#LI-JD1

Life at RWS

Life at RWS - If you like the idea of working with smart people who are passionate about growing the value of ideas, data and content by making sure organizations are understood, then you’ll love life at RWS. 

Our purpose is to unlock global understanding. This means our work fundamentally recognizes the value of every language and culture. So, we celebrate difference, we are inclusive and believe that diversity makes us strong. We want every employee to grow as an individual and excel in their career. 

In return, we expect all our people to live by the values that unite us: to partner, putting clients fist and winning together, to pioneer, innovating fearlessly and leading with vision and courage, to progress, aiming high and growing through actions and to deliver, owning the outcome and building trust with our colleagues and clients.

RWS embraces DEI and promotes equal opportunity, we are an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. RWS is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at RWS are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, sex, age, disability, or sexual orientation. RWS will not tolerate discrimination based on any of these characteristics. 

RWS Values 

Get the 3Ps right – Partner, Pioneer, Progress – and we´ll Deliver together as RWS.

Covid Vaccination - All RWS employees hired for positions that require working on-site at RWS offices, customer offices, travel on behalf of RWS, and/or in-person meetings will be required to comply with the RWS USA COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Policy. RWS complies with federal, state, and local laws regarding accommodations related to this policy.

Recruitment Agencies: RWS Holdings PLC does not accept agency resumes.  Please do not forward any unsolicited resumes to any RWS employees.  Any unsolicited resume received will be treated as the property of RWS and Terms & Conditions associated with the use of such resume will be considered null and void.