Mainframe System Programmer

Lorven Technologies Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Lorven Technologies Inc. is seeking a senior mainframe systems and outsourcing leader to manage vendor relationships, ensure service levels, and guide ongoing mainframe initiatives across the client environment.

The role requires deep expertise in mainframe technologies, strong communication skills, and a track record of delivering results through collaboration with ITS teams and external providers.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of systems programmer experience.
• Strong background in analyzing, documenting, installing, developing, and maintaining OS software and utilities.
• Experience managing mainframe outsourcing agreements and managed service providers, including SOWs.
• Proven track record with vendor SLA management, SRMs, and vendor commitments.
• Knowledge of mainframe best practices and leading vendors to successful implementations.
• Working knowledge of ITIL with emphasis on problem/incident/change management and vendor coordination.
• Bachelor degree in Business or Information Systems; Master’s preferred.
• Proven technical leadership and out-of-the-box thinking in IT.
• Passion for mainframe technologies and staying current with trends.
• Ability to deliver results and collaborate with ITS groups and vendors.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage outsourcing provider activities for the client mainframe.
• Monitor mainframe activities for problems and improvements.
• Review provider actions for success and coordinate with upcoming changes.
• Develop and provide ad hoc performance and tracking reports.
• Research new mainframe technologies for applicability to JM.
• Provide first-line support for mainframe infrastructure.
• Coordinate incident response with outsourcing provider and JM support groups.
• Develop new mainframe utilities when required.
• Identify and implement processes to streamline operations.
• Install new software products as required.
• Serve as the go-to person for mainframe problems or questions.

Skills

Vendor management

ITIL

Mainframe systems

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor degree

Master's degree

Tools

SOW development

Job description

• This position will require the incumbent to draw upon their past systems programming and management experience.
• The primary responsibility will be the management of mainframe outsourcing providers as well as other vendors while providing support and leadership for mainframe technologies.
• Will provide oversight of efforts to troubleshoot issues, optimize the current system, capacity planning, communications, storage administration, coding, and make sure all software is up to latest release and technology levels.
• In addition, the incumbent will provide guidance to the application development staff for mainframe systems topics and issues.

Responsibilities

• Manage, plan, direct, organize, and control the outsourcing provider’s activities with respect to the client mainframe.
• Monitor all mainframe activities looking for problems and potential improvements.
• Review actions taken by the mainframe outsourcing provider to ensure they were completely successful.
• Review, approve, and coordinate with the mainframe outsourcing provider on upcoming changes and software releases.
• Develop and provide ad hoc performance and tracking reports.
• Research new technologies and features to determine applicability to JM.
• Provide first-line support for mainframe infrastructure to all JM organizations.
• Participate in all mainframe incidents to coordinate and direct activities as well as to provide guidance to outsourcing provider and other JM support groups.
• Develop new mainframe utilities when required.
• Recognize the need for and develop processes and jobs to further streamline operations.
• Install new software products as required.
• Be the general go-to person when there are mainframe problems or questions

Skills Must have

• This candidate must have at least 10 years of systems programmer experience.
• Candidate must have a strong background in analyzing, documenting, installing, developing, and maintaining operating system software, including utility software and system software languages, while providing technical support to users concerning system software and utilities.
• Experience with managing mainframe outsourcing agreements and managed service providers, including development of SOW’s.
• Proven track record with understanding and managing vendors with respect to SLA’s, SRMs, and vendor commitments to hold the vendor accountable while looking out for the company's interests.
• Knowledge of and ability to articulate/document mainframe best practices with the ability to lead vendors to the successful implementation of those best practices.
• A strong, working knowledge of ITIL principles with emphasis on problem/incident/change management and experience with managing vendors towards the implementation of those principles while leading the vendor to successful results.
• Bachelor degree in Business or Information Systems required. Master’s degree preferred.
• Must have proven technical/thought leadership experience in IT and track record of out-of-the-box thinking.
• Candidate must have a passion for mainframe technologies.
• Technically aware and keeps up to date on current technology trends (in particular as related to the mainframe platform).
• Proven experience with effective delivery within IT.
• Candidate must have high accountability, drives for results and ability to collaborate with groups across ITS and with vendors.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills required.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and to maintain effective working relationships with vendors, and multiple staff levels.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and creative problem-solving techniques in a highly complex environment using leading-edge technology and or/integrating diverse technology applications.
• Ability to assist in the development of department strategic roadmaps providing vision and thought leadership in key technology areas.
• Experience managing a high-volume workload.
• Excellent communication skills. Ability to present and translate highly technical capabilities to business leaders in a way to gain understanding and to conceptualize business value (speaking without using technology-speak, developing management presentations, writing and documenting business and technical documentation, developing process diagrams).
• Management of vendors to ensure SLA’s are maintained, solutions are delivered and relationships are fostered to benefit the client.
• Experience in establishing best practices, procedures and enforcing governance.
• Strong track record of collaborating and partnering to obtain common results.