Director, Mainframe Systems Programming

Socket.dev; United States; Remote; USD 155,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited Paid Days Off

401k with company match

Education Reimbursement

Job summary

Ensono is seeking a Director of Mainframe Systems Programs to oversee delivery projects focused on client outcomes. This role requires strong leadership in managing large-scale Mainframe teams, ensuring stable and compliant operations across multiple clients.

The successful candidate will leverage technical expertise and strategic direction to drive performance, foster a culture of engineering excellence, and lead innovative solutions through AI and automation initiatives.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience managing large-scale Mainframe teams.
• Strong business orientation focused on client outcomes and metrics.
• Experience in z/OS, ISV, and subsystem upgrades.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction to drive accountability and performance.
• Lead adoption of AI-driven operations for improved delivery.
• Influence and inspire teams to meet commitments and excellence.

Skills

Leadership

Mainframe technical expertise

Communication skills

Project management

AI operations

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Project

Job description

Role Summary

The Director of Mainframe Systems Programs is mission focused to deliver client outcomes. This role will oversee a broad range of delivery projects to fulfill the client expectations for hardware and software Lifecycle Management. This individual will be leading teams responsible for managing the life cycle and patch management of z/OS and ISV upgrades, including subsystem upgrades for CICS, MQ, DB2, and IMS across multiple clients. The work leverages technologies such as SMPE, z/OSMF, AI Adoptions, Python etc.

The successful candidate will leverage strong business acumen, relationship‑building capability, and a strategic mindset to consistently drive the team toward successful outcomes. They should bring proven experience managing large‑scale Mainframe teams, particularly in software currency and patch management environments.

A strong business orientation is essential to operate the function as a true business unit, guided by clear metrics, benchmark‑driven performance, and measurable progress milestones. A solid foundation in project management principles, coupled with a disciplined, process‑oriented approach, is critical for success.

This role also demands a forward‑thinking leader who can challenge traditional service delivery models, reimagine underlying assumptions, and drive continuous capability maturity. The candidate will actively advance innovation and automation initiatives to enhance efficiency, scalability, and service quality.

As a relentless ally, be able to anticipate client expectations and incorporate needs proactively into client roadmaps. The successful candidate will be a skilled communicator that can influence internal and external stakeholders at multiple levels. The candidate will be able to navigate complex technical topics and communicate them with clarity, brevity, and impact.

Leverage your breadth of experiences to lead the organization through cross‑functional and collaborative efforts. Partner with solutioning and sales to shape new opportunities and presales efforts.

An engaged and motivated leader, see the value in our associates. Coach, mentor and leverage our talent management processes to effectively lead managers, build your talent and create a highly engaged team.

What You Will Do:

• Provide strong leadership and strategic direction to the functional organization, driving accountability, performance, and outcome‑based delivery.
• Operate effectively in ambiguous environments, setting clear direction, priorities, and execution frameworks for large‑scale Mainframe teams.
• Lead adoption of AI‑driven operations, z/OSMF workflows, and Ansible for z/OS (z/Ansible) to enable automation‑first delivery, improve resiliency, and accelerate upgrade and maintenance cycles.
• Bring deep Mainframe technical expertise, including z/OS system programming, ISV Upgrades & Maintenances, RSU planning and implementation, ensuring platform stability and compliance.
• Drive innovation by challenging traditional service models and embedding AI/ML and automation to continuously improve scalability, efficiency, and service quality.
• Influence and inspire teams to consistently meet delivery commitments, fostering a culture of ownership, agility, and engineering excellence.
• Communicate with clarity and impact—translating complex technical and operational topics into concise, actionable insights for leadership and clients.
• Build trusted relationships across internal and external stakeholders, operating as a strategic service delivery partner.
• Leverage systems, data, and metrics to drive decisions, track performance against benchmarks, and ensure measurable outcomes.
• Maintain a strong balance of personal accountability, resilience, and agility in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrate high attention to detail with disciplined follow‑through—creating a “trust but verify” culture across deliverables.
• Define and drive completion of individual, departmental, and organizational goals aligned to clear KPIs and milestones.
• Ensure audit readiness and compliance through strong governance, documentation, and control adherence across all engagements.

What You Will Need:

• 10+ years of related experience with a bachelor’s degree. Relevant work experience will be considered in place of a bachelor’s degree.
• Able to manage up, down and across organizations, clients and/or functions.
• Strong in managing z/OS, ISV & Subsystem Upgrades via Traditional & Modern Approach
• Experienced in diverse mainframe technical environments. Experienced in one or more mainframe infrastructure, hardware, system programming technologies. Alternative experiences must include high learning agility to acquire mainframe technology knowledge and apply previous experiences to achieve operational outcomes.
• Possess communication skills to appropriately lead at the client/team/Business unit levels.
• Experienced leading complex projects and programs.
• Microsoft Office skills including Microsoft Project

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge in one or more areas of mainframe discipline.
• ITIL or ITSM oversight or expertise in Release, Change and CMDB
• Installation knowledge of ISV SW and IBM Operating systems
• Knowledge of SMP/E or maintenance routines if applicable
• Knowledge in z/OSMF, Python & zOAU.
• Knowledge system IPL processes
• Framework experience in NIST, COBIT, ITIL, ValIT and or similar
• Project management methodology experience in PMI-ACP, PMP, PRINCE or PMBOK
• Lean Six Sigma for Managers

Some of our benefits include:

• Unlimited Paid Days Off
• Three health plan options
• 401k with company match
• Eligibility for dental, vision, short and long‑term disability, life and AD&D coverage, and flexible spending accounts
• Family Forming Benefit including fertility coverage and adoption/surrogacy reimbursement
• Paid childbearing and paternal leave
• Education Reimbursement, Student Loan Assistance or 529 College Funding
• Sabbatical leave
• Wellness program
• Flexible work schedule

As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay scale for this role is $155,000 to $210,000 salary, based on a fulltime schedule. Please note that placement in the range may vary based on numerous factors including but not limited to skills, experience, internal equity, and business needs. In addition to base salary, other compensation programs, depending on eligibility, include an annual bonus plan based on company and individual performance and an equity grant under our Associate Equity Appreciation Program.

Ensono is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We are committed to providing equal employment to our Associates and building a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable law.

Pay transparency nondiscrimination statement/posting OFCCP’s pay transparency policy can be found on OFCCP’s website.

If you need accommodation at any point during the application or interview process, please let your recruiter know or email [e-mail].