Mainframe Modernization Architect & GTM Leader

TAFF Inc; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

TAFF Inc. is seeking a Mainframe Modernization Architect & GTM Leader to own the NA GTM for mainframe modernization, anchored in Financial Services.

You will architect solutions from in-place modernization to full exit, building reusable assets, reference architectures, and accelerators. You will shape joint plays with a deep partner ecosystem including IBM, Red Hat, hyperscalers, and modernization ISVs, applying GenAI where it adds credible value and creating a high-performing onshore

Qualifications

• 18+ years in enterprise technology with mainframe expertise.
• Deep experience with IBM Z z/OS, COBOL, CICS, IMS, DB2, MQ, JCL.
• Proven GTM strategy and partner program leadership.
• Ability to design target-state architectures and modernization frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Own the strategy, offerings, and partner plays for Mainframe Modernization in NA.
• Lead NA GTM for mainframe modernization anchored in Financial Services.
• Architect in-place modernization to full exit, with portfolio assessment and validation.
• Build reusable assets, reference architectures, and modernization factories.

Skills

Mainframe modernization

GTM leadership

OpenShift Kubernetes

Hybrid cloud

DevSecOps

APIs

CIO persuasion

Tools

IBM Z z/OS

COBOL

CICS/IMS

JCL

MQ

Job description

Title: Mainframe Modernization Architect & GTM Leader

Location: New York preferred , open to explore other locations

Duration: 12+ MOnths

You own the strategy, the offerings and the partner plays

Own the NA GTM for Mainframe Modernization, anchored in Financial Services.

Architect the hard pursuits, from in-place modernization to full exit. Portfolio assessment, business-rule extraction, functional-equivalence validation, target-state design. The deals where "lift and shift" isn't the answer.

Build the IP. Reference architectures, assessment frameworks, accelerators, modernization factories. Reusable assets, not one-off decks.

Apply GenAI and agentic AI where it's real. You decide what's credible and what's a demo.

Build a high-performing onshore capability, including career pathways that move talented mainframe engineers into modernization architecture instead of out of the industry.

Shape joint plays across a deep partner ecosystem: IBM, Red Hat, the hyperscalers, and the modernization ISVs.

Who This Fits

18+ years across enterprise technology, with real depth in IBM Z z/OS, COBOL, PL/I, Assembler, CICS, IMS, DB2, VSAM, JCL, MQ and genuine fluency in APIs, event-driven architecture, containers, OpenShift/Kubernetes, hybrid cloud, and DevSecOps.

You've carried a pursuit, not just a workstream. You've sat across from a CIO and defended a business case.

If you understand both MIPS economics and OpenShift, there aren't many of you. That's the point.