ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager (CTAL-TM)
professionals in Munich, matched in minutes from 15,000 CVs with the power of AIThis certification signals strong test planning, risk-based test control, defect management, and leadership of test teams across complex delivery. It is a solid fit for release-critical, enterprise, and regulated projects in Munich, with fast, precise matching to vetted freelancers who hold it.
Meet FRATCH ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager (CTAL-TM)
Sven Hummel
Process Architect (Symbio, Signavio)
Last position:
Process Architect (Symbio, Signavio) at IT service provider for an international premium automaker
- Analyzing, aligning and modeling business processes (BPMN 2.0) for the 'The New Retail' program in the areas of invoicing, tax, customs and accounting
- Tracking user stories and their impact on processes
- Point of contact for preparing the tool migration from Symbio to Signavio for the mentioned areas
- Power user after the introduction of Signavio, point of contact and coach for other process modelers
Martin Moser
Test Automation for Stock Trading Software
Last position:
Test automation for trading software at Martin Moser IT Consulting GmbH
- Set up GUI test framework for testers and developers to easily create GUI tests
- Implemented automated GUI tests with QF-Test for stock trading software and PDF file comparisons
- Created comparison runs between different versions
Used technologies: QF-Test, Java, Jython
Martin Moser
Test Automation for Stock Trading Software
Last position:
Test automation for trading software at Martin Moser IT Consulting GmbH
- Set up GUI test framework for testers and developers to easily create GUI tests
- Implemented automated GUI tests with QF-Test for stock trading software and PDF file comparisons
- Set up GUI test framework for testers and developers to easily create GUI tests
- Implemented automated GUI tests with QF-Test for stock trading software and PDF file comparisons
- Created comparison runs between different versions
Used technologies: QF-Test, Java, Jython
- Created comparison runs between different versions
Used technologies: QF-Test, Java, Jython
Johannes Engel
E2E Test Manager / Technical Project Lead
Last position:
E2E Test Manager / Technical Project Lead at Sky Media GmbH
Iterative test planning
Providing test infrastructure
Resource planning
Test design
Coordination of test teams
Defect management
Release management
Project planning
Cohort planning
Test planning
Test execution
Trial test planning
Rollout
Business analysis
Requirements engineering
Change management
E2E test coordination
Johannes Engel
E2E Test Manager / Technical Project Lead
Last position:
E2E Test Manager / Technical Project Lead at Sky Media GmbH
Iterative test planning
Providing test infrastructure
Resource planning
Test design
Coordination of test teams
Defect management
Release management
Project planning
Cohort planning
Test planning
Iterative test planning
Providing test infrastructure
Resource planning
Test design
Coordination of test teams
Defect management
Release management
Project planning
Cohort planning
Test planning
Test execution
Trial test planning
Rollout
Business analysis
Requirements engineering
Change management
E2E test coordination
Test execution
Trial test planning
Rollout
Business analysis
Requirements engineering
Change management
E2E test coordination
Christoph Becker
Test Manager
Last position:
Test Manager at TÜV Süd AG
- Corporate merger of TÜV Süd AutoPlus GmbH and TÜV Süd AutoPartner GmbH (ensuring the functionality of all production and billing processes within the scope of the merger)
- Creation of the test strategy to ensure the functional integrity of existing business processes after the merger
- Definition of test goals, test types and test phases (e.g., functional tests, integration tests, end-to-end tests, regression tests)
- Identification of critical business processes and derivation of appropriate test data and test cases
- Planning of the test environment and ensuring the availability of required test systems and test data
- Close collaboration with IT departments, business units and external service providers
- Execution of acceptance tests with the business units to ensure system stability before go-live.
Christoph Becker
Test Manager
Last position:
Test Manager at TÜV Süd AG
- Corporate merger of TÜV Süd AutoPlus GmbH and TÜV Süd AutoPartner GmbH (ensuring the functionality of all production and billing processes within the scope of the merger)
- Creation of the test strategy to ensure the functional integrity of existing business processes after the merger
- Corporate merger of TÜV Süd AutoPlus GmbH and TÜV Süd AutoPartner GmbH (ensuring the functionality of all production and billing processes within the scope of the merger)
- Creation of the test strategy to ensure the functional integrity of existing business processes after the merger
- Definition of test goals, test types and test phases (e.g., functional tests, integration tests, end-to-end tests, regression tests)
- Identification of critical business processes and derivation of appropriate test data and test cases
- Planning of the test environment and ensuring the availability of required test systems and test data
- Close collaboration with IT departments, business units and external service providers
- Execution of acceptance tests with the business units to ensure system stability before go-live.
- Definition of test goals, test types and test phases (e.g., functional tests, integration tests, end-to-end tests, regression tests)
- Identification of critical business processes and derivation of appropriate test data and test cases
- Planning of the test environment and ensuring the availability of required test systems and test data
- Close collaboration with IT departments, business units and external service providers
- Execution of acceptance tests with the business units to ensure system stability before go-live.
Jiri Sostok
Quality Manager/Test Management
Last position:
Quality Manager/Test Management at Noriba GmbH
- Creation of test concepts
- Development of test processes
- Coordination of test case development: stress tests, functional tests, performance tests, high data rate tests, integration tests, etc.
- Hardware testing: FPGA, RF
- Test automation and regression testing
- Ensuring 24/7 operation of the test system
- Analysis & reporting
- Regular coordination of the test team, meetings with other stakeholders
- Communication and coordination with stakeholders and project managers
Jiri Sostok
Quality Manager/Test Management
Last position:
Quality Manager/Test Management at Noriba GmbH
- Creation of test concepts
- Development of test processes
- Coordination of test case development: stress tests, functional tests, performance tests, high data rate tests, integration tests, etc.
- Hardware testing: FPGA, RF
- Test automation and regression testing
- Creation of test concepts
- Development of test processes
- Coordination of test case development: stress tests, functional tests, performance tests, high data rate tests, integration tests, etc.
- Hardware testing: FPGA, RF
- Test automation and regression testing
- Ensuring 24/7 operation of the test system
- Analysis & reporting
- Regular coordination of the test team, meetings with other stakeholders
- Communication and coordination with stakeholders and project managers
- Ensuring 24/7 operation of the test system
- Analysis & reporting
- Regular coordination of the test team, meetings with other stakeholders
- Communication and coordination with stakeholders and project managers
Rainer Schleussing
Senior IT Administrator
Last position:
Product Manager at Finanz Informatik Solutions Plus GmbH & Co. KG
- Project planning of compliance applications for customers
- Operational setup, expansion, maintenance and risk assessment of the underlying IT platforms
- Lead architect for the IT platforms and associated interfaces
- Primary contact for technical issues, changes and releases, especially coordinating between vendors, the data center operator and the customers of the sanctions monitoring
- Independent coordination of incident management / problem management
- Operational control of service providers and vendors and performing non-organizational leadership tasks
- Technical contact in various internal and external IT customer projects (partly as a deputy project manager)
- Support in preparing proposals for customer orders in application management for compliance applications
- Management of operational tasks and requests in sanctions monitoring
Rainer Schleussing
Senior IT Administrator
Last position:
Product Manager at Finanz Informatik Solutions Plus GmbH & Co. KG
- Project planning of compliance applications for customers
- Operational setup, expansion, maintenance and risk assessment of the underlying IT platforms
- Lead architect for the IT platforms and associated interfaces
- Project planning of compliance applications for customers
- Operational setup, expansion, maintenance and risk assessment of the underlying IT platforms
- Lead architect for the IT platforms and associated interfaces
- Primary contact for technical issues, changes and releases, especially coordinating between vendors, the data center operator and the customers of the sanctions monitoring
- Independent coordination of incident management / problem management
- Operational control of service providers and vendors and performing non-organizational leadership tasks
- Technical contact in various internal and external IT customer projects (partly as a deputy project manager)
- Support in preparing proposals for customer orders in application management for compliance applications
- Management of operational tasks and requests in sanctions monitoring
- Primary contact for technical issues, changes and releases, especially coordinating between vendors, the data center operator and the customers of the sanctions monitoring
- Independent coordination of incident management / problem management
- Operational control of service providers and vendors and performing non-organizational leadership tasks
- Technical contact in various internal and external IT customer projects (partly as a deputy project manager)
- Support in preparing proposals for customer orders in application management for compliance applications
- Management of operational tasks and requests in sanctions monitoring
Jan Wahler
Technical Consultant
Last position:
Technical Consultant at AI Beratung (KMU)
- Evaluation of RAG for legal advisory (build or buy)
- Evaluation and POC of RAG for an ERP time tracking module
- Consulting on foundation model selection
- Setup AI development environment (eliminating shadow AI)
- AI strategy consulting
- AI-assisted code creation and context engineering make change sets larger
- Strong software engineering expertise, code reviews and safeguarding through pipelines and domain-specific automated test cases
Jan Wahler
Technical Consultant
Last position:
Technical Consultant at AI Beratung (KMU)
- Evaluation of RAG for legal advisory (build or buy)
- Evaluation and POC of RAG for an ERP time tracking module
- Consulting on foundation model selection
- Setup AI development environment (eliminating shadow AI)
- AI strategy consulting
- Evaluation of RAG for legal advisory (build or buy)
- Evaluation and POC of RAG for an ERP time tracking module
- Consulting on foundation model selection
- Setup AI development environment (eliminating shadow AI)
- AI strategy consulting
- AI-assisted code creation and context engineering make change sets larger
- Strong software engineering expertise, code reviews and safeguarding through pipelines and domain-specific automated test cases
- AI-assisted code creation and context engineering make change sets larger
- Strong software engineering expertise, code reviews and safeguarding through pipelines and domain-specific automated test cases
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager (CTAL-TM) statistics
Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.
Experience
17 years
Position duration
4.4 years
Positions per freelancer
8
Top business areas
Information Technology, Product Development, Project Management
Top industries
Information Technology, Banking and Finance, Professional Services
Certification focus areas
Quality Assurance, Information Technology, Project Management
Bachelor's degree or higher
75%
Master's degree or higher
75%
Doctorate
25%
Certifications per freelancer
8
Most common languages
German, English, Czech
Speak two or more languages
100%
Daily Rate Distribution
The chart shows how the daily rates of freelancers holding this certification are distributed, based on recent contracts on our platform. Each bar covers a rate range — its height shows how many freelancers charge within that range. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
Average rates for ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager (CTAL-TM) & Seniority distribution
Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.
The average daily rate is the mean of all daily rates from recent contracts of comparable freelancers on our platform.
The median daily rate is the middle value of all daily rates — half of comparable freelancers charge less, half charge more. Unlike the average, it is barely affected by outliers.
Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
About the certification
What CTAL-TM proves
ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager, often called CTAL-TM, is the advanced ISTQB credential for people who lead testing work rather than only execute test cases. It shows that a professional can plan, monitor, and control test activities, align testing with project goals, and make practical decisions when time, scope, or quality pressure rises.
Core responsibilities
A holder of this certificate is expected to handle the parts of testing that keep a project on track:
- Create and adapt test plans and test strategies
- Estimate test effort and organize test resources
- Apply risk-based testing in delivery decisions
- Track progress, defects, and test status clearly
- Coordinate people, tools, environments, and reporting
Knowledge areas covered
The CTAL-TM path goes beyond basic test execution. It focuses on management methods, leadership in test projects, and how testing supports business risk control. Typical topics include test process improvement, metrics, reviews, incident handling, test documentation, and stakeholder communication.
- Test planning and test monitoring
- Defect and incident management
- Test metrics and reporting
- Risk analysis and prioritization
- Team coordination and leadership
Who usually holds it
This certification is common among test managers, senior test leads, QA managers, and experienced testers who have moved into coordination roles. In Munich, it is especially relevant in enterprise software, automotive, finance, and other environments where release quality and traceable test control matter. Companies often look for it when they need someone who can step into an active project and take ownership quickly.
What it tells a company
If a freelancer holds CTAL-TM, you can expect more than test execution skills. The person should be able to structure testing work, speak with development and business stakeholders, and keep testing aligned with delivery risk. For on-site work in Munich or hybrid setups with German-speaking teams, it also helps when the freelancer can communicate clearly in structured project settings.
Related names and levels
Searches often use the full name, CTAL-TM, or the broader ISTQB Advanced Level Test Manager wording. This certification sits above foundation-level testing knowledge and below specialist or expert routes. It is not the same as a technical test automation or performance certification; it is about managing the test function, not only using tools or writing test scripts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Want to learn more? Find helpful information about FRATCH
ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager (CTAL-TM) validates that a professional can manage the test effort in a structured way. It focuses on planning, control, reporting, risk-based decisions, and coordinating people and activities across a project. In practice, it shows readiness for leading the test function, not just running tests.
The Foundation Level covers core testing language and basic practices. CTAL-TM goes further and focuses on test leadership, management decisions, and the way testing is run inside a real project. A freelancer with CTAL-TM is usually expected to guide others, not only contribute individual test work.
It suits test managers, test leads, QA leads, and senior testers who already work close to planning and coordination. The best candidates usually have hands-on experience with test strategy, defect handling, stakeholder communication, and release support. CTAL-TM is a strong next step for people moving from execution into leadership.
Preparation is usually based on real project experience and a solid grasp of ISTQB test management concepts. Candidates should be comfortable with planning, monitoring, risk analysis, reporting, and team coordination. Many also study the official syllabus and practice applying the ideas to realistic project scenarios.
Yes, the advanced level route is intended for people who already hold the appropriate Foundation Level certificate or an accepted equivalent. It is designed for experienced professionals, not beginners. Before starting ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager, it helps to have practical exposure to test leadership or test coordination.
ISTQB certifications are managed through the scheme rules in force at the time, and holders should keep an eye on current maintenance or recertification requirements. Renewal is not about re-learning the basics; it is about keeping the credential aligned with the active ISTQB program. Always check the latest ISTQB guidance before relying on an older assumption.
It matters most where test control is a real management task: large enterprise releases, regulated environments, multi-team delivery, and projects with many dependencies. In Munich, that often includes automotive, finance, and complex software organizations. A freelancer with CTAL-TM is especially useful when the project needs clear test governance and disciplined reporting.
Usually both, but with a strong focus on coordination and decision-making. A holder of CTAL-TM should still understand test design and execution well enough to lead by example, yet the main value is in planning, control, and communication. That makes the certification a good signal for senior test leadership roles.
The average hourly rate for freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager (CTAL-TM) in Munich is 108 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 861 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager (CTAL-TM) in Munich, 75% hold at least a Bachelor's degree, 75% hold at least a Master's degree, and 25% hold a doctorate.
On average, freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager (CTAL-TM) in Munich have 17 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 4.4 years.
The most common languages among freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager (CTAL-TM) in Munich are German (100%), English (100%), and Czech (14%).
The most common industries among freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager (CTAL-TM) in Munich are Information Technology (100%), Banking and Finance (71%), and Professional Services (57%).
The most common business areas among freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager (CTAL-TM) in Munich are Information Technology (100%), Product Development (86%), and Project Management (86%).
FRATCH ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager (CTAL-TM) main locations
Our freelancers and interim experts are at home across the DACH region — available on-site in the major business hubs or fully remote. Choose a location to discover matched specialists, local market insights and up-to-date availability.
Berlin Hamburg 
Munich Cologne Frankfurt Stuttgart Dusseldorf Leipzig Dortmund Essen Bremen Dresden Hanover Nuremberg Request a Free Demo
Get in touch with the FRATCH team and we will get back to you within 4 hours.
Would you rather directly get in touch?
We always have the time for a call or email!
Philipp Thomaschewski
FRATCH CEO
