Director, Mainframe Systems Programming

Ladders; United States; Remote; USD 135,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

UMR health plans

401(k) match

Dental/vision/disability coverage

Maternity/Paternity leave

Education reimbursement

Fertility coverage

Wellness program

Flexible schedule

Fitness center access

Job summary

Ladders is seeking a Director of Mainframe Systems Programming to lead a critical mainframe function and guide teams responsible for complex environments. The role sets direction, clarifies ambiguity, and translates technical complexity into actionable guidance for stakeholders.

This remote-US position focuses on accountability, progress tracking, and disciplined execution while ensuring outcomes align with departmental goals. Competitive compensation ranges from $135,000 to $205,000 per year.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of related experience with a bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• Proven ability to manage relationships across various organizational levels.
• Experience in diverse mainframe technical environments and technologies.
• Strong communication skills for effective leadership at multiple levels.
• Demonstrated experience in leading complex projects and programs.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Microsoft Project.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction to the functional organization.
• Navigate ambiguity and set clear direction for teams.
• Summarize complex topics into actionable insights for stakeholders.
• Leverage systems and data to drive decision‑making and track progress.
• Maintain personal accountability, resilience, and agility in leadership.
• Ensure detail orientation and follow-up on team outcomes.
• Develop and adhere to departmental and company goals.

Skills

Leadership

Mainframe

Project management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Office

Job description

For our client, we are seeking a Director, Mainframe Systems Programming to join the team of a leader in the Information Technology space.

This leader will oversee a critical technical function that supports complex mainframe environments and the teams responsible for them. The role will set direction, bring clarity to ambiguity, and translate technical complexity into actionable guidance for stakeholders. This individual will also help drive accountability, progress tracking, and effective execution across the organization.

Location: Remote - US based candidates only, no visa sponsorship available

Compensation: $135,000 – $205,000 annually

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction to the functional organization.
• Navigate ambiguity and set clear direction for teams.
• Summarize complex topics into actionable insights for stakeholders.
• Leverage systems and data to drive decision‑making and track progress.
• Maintain personal accountability, resilience, and agility in leadership.
• Ensure detail orientation and follow-up on team outcomes.
• Develop and adhere to departmental and company goals.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of related experience with a bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• Proven ability to manage relationships across various organizational levels.
• Experience in diverse mainframe technical environments and technologies.
• Strong communication skills for effective leadership at multiple levels.
• Demonstrated experience in leading complex projects and programs.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Microsoft Project.

Benefits

• Unlimited Paid Days Off
• Three health plan options through UMR
• 401(k) with company match
• Eligibility for dental, vision, and disability coverage
• Paid maternity and paternity leave
• Education reimbursement and student loan assistance
• Enhanced fertility coverage
• Wellness program
• Flexible work schedule
• Access to fitness centers depending on location

Our client is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every qualification—your background could be exactly what this team needs.