z/OS Mainframe Systems Programmer Lead

Req ID: 384902

Competitive salary | UK/Europe: Fully remote possible; occasionally Sheffield preferred

At NTT DATA, we know that with the right people on board, anything is possible. The quality, integrity, and commitment of our employees are key factors in our company’s growth, market presence and our ability to help our clients stay a step ahead of the competition. By hiring the best people and helping them grow both professionally and personally, we ensure a bright future for NTT DATA and for the people who work here.

NTT DATA is currently looking for a z/OS Mainframe Systems Programmer Lead remote for our growing team in the UK and rest of Europe.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced z/OS Mainframe Systems Programmer Lead to provide technical leadership and strategic direction for the enterprise IBM Z platform. This role is responsible for the architecture, installation, upgrade, maintenance, and support of z/OS and associated IBM and Broadcom (CA) system software products across complex, mission-critical environments.

The ideal candidate will be a senior technical leader with deep expertise in z/OS systems programming, Parallel Sysplex environments, and enterprise-scale infrastructure management. The individual will lead system modernization initiatives, mentor technical teams, drive operational excellence, and serve as the highest level of escalation for complex platform-related issues.

The successful candidate should possess outstanding problem-solving capabilities, strong stakeholder management skills, and the ability to influence technical decision-making across multiple teams. Experience within large banking or highly regulated organizations is strongly preferred.

In this role, You will

• Lead the design, implementation, enhancement, and support of enterprise z/OS infrastructure environments.
• Provide technical leadership for z/OS operating system upgrades, maintenance, and system software lifecycle management.
• Architect and manage large-scale Parallel Sysplex environments ensuring high availability, resilience, and performance.
• Oversee installation, configuration, customization, and support of IBM and Broadcom (CA) products.
• Establish best practices, standards, and governance for mainframe infrastructure operations.
• Lead strategic initiatives involving platform modernization, automation, performance optimization, and capacity management.
• Drive root cause analysis and resolution of critical production incidents and platform-related problems.
• Act as the highest-level technical escalation point for complex infrastructure issues.
• Collaborate with enterprise architecture, security, application, and operations teams to deliver technical solutions.
• Support disaster recovery planning, testing, and business continuity requirements.
• Review infrastructure designs and provide recommendations for scalability, reliability, and operational efficiency.
• Mentor and coach junior and senior systems programmers, fostering technical growth within the team.
• Manage vendor relationships and coordinate software upgrades, patches, and product evaluations.
• Ensure adherence to security, risk, audit, and compliance requirements.
• Lead and support production implementations during planned maintenance windows, including off-hours activities when required.

Required Qualifications

• Typically 15+ years of hands-on experience in IBM z/OS Systems Programming.
• Minimum 5+ years of experience leading Mainframe Infrastructure or Systems Programming teams.
• Proven experience supporting large-scale enterprise, banking, or financial services environments.
• Extensive experience in installation, customization, upgrade, maintenance, and support of IBM and Broadcom (CA) mainframe products.
• Strong expertise in Parallel Sysplex, high availability, disaster recovery, and enterprise mainframe architecture.
• Extensive experience leading technical teams and large-scale mainframe initiatives.
• Expert knowledge of:
  • z/OS
  • SMP/E
  • TSO/ISPF
  • UNIX System Services (USS)
  • SDSF
  • JCL
  • RACF
• Advanced expertise in Parallel Sysplex architecture, implementation, and administration.
• Extensive experience installing and supporting multiple IBM and Broadcom (CA) products.
• Deep understanding of z/OS system internals, performance tuning, and problem determination.
• Experience in enterprise change management and production support environments.
• Strong stakeholder management and leadership skills.
• Exceptional analytical, troubleshooting, and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Experience working in highly regulated environments such as Banking or Financial Services.

Desired Qualifications

• Expertise in:
• ACF2 Security Administration
• GDPS
• RACF Security Architecture
• Assembler
• REXX
• OMEGAMON
• RMF
• SMF
• SAS
• Experience with Mainframe Automation and Infrastructure as Code initiatives.
• Exposure to hybrid cloud integration and modernization programs involving IBM Z.
• Experience leading enterprise-wide platform transformation projects.
• IBM Mainframe or IBM Z certifications.
• Knowledge of audit, regulatory, and compliance frameworks applicable to financial services organizations.

Job Expectations

• Provide technical leadership and ownership of the enterprise mainframe platform.
• Drive platform stability, availability, security, and performance improvements.
• Establish infrastructure roadmaps and contribute to long-term technology strategy.
• Lead system software upgrades, migrations, and modernization initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, audit requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Mentor and develop team members while promoting a collaborative and high-performance culture.
• Participate in incident management and provide executive-level communication during critical situations.
• Support global operational requirements, including after-hours and weekend maintenance activities.
• Foster continuous improvement through automation, standardization, and operational excellence.
• Partner with business, technology, and vendor stakeholders to deliver strategic outcomes.

Primary Skillset

• IBM z/OS
• SMP/E
• TSO/ISPF
• USS (UNIX System Services)
• SDSF
• JCL
• RACF
• Parallel Sysplex
• IBM System Software Products
• Broadcom (CA) System Software Products
• Mainframe Architecture & Infrastructure Leadership

Secondary Skillset

• ACF2
• GDPS
• RACF Security Administration
• Assembler
• REXX
• OMEGAMON
• RMF
• SMF
• SAS
• Mainframe Automation Tools
• Capacity Planning & Performance Management

Benefits

Our people are the most critical component of our long-term success and their health and wellbeing are our priority. You will enjoy a comprehensive, locally competitive benefits package.

About NTT DATA

NTT DATA is a $30 billion business and technology services leader, serving 75% of the Fortune Global 100. We are committed to accelerating client success and positively impacting society through responsible innovation. We are one of the world's leading AI and digital infrastructure providers, with unmatched capabilities in enterprise-scale AI, cloud, security, connectivity, data centers and application services. our consulting and Industry solutions help organizations and society move confidently and sustainably into the digital future. As a Global Top Employer, we have experts in more than 50 countries. We also offer clients access to a robust ecosystem of innovation centers as well as established and start-up partners. NTT DATA is a part of NTT Group, which invests over $3 billion each year in R&D.

Whenever possible, we hire locally to NTT DATA offices or client sites. This ensures we can provide timely and effective support tailored to each client’s needs. While many positions offer remote or hybrid work options, these arrangements are subject to change based on client requirements. For employees near an NTT DATA office or client site, in-office attendance may be required for meetings or events, depending on business needs. At NTT DATA, we are committed to staying flexible and meeting the evolving needs of both our clients and employees. NTT DATA recruiters will never ask for payment or banking information and will only use @nttdata.com, @nttdatafed.com and @talent.nttdataservices.com email addresses. If you are requested to provide payment or disclose banking information, please submit a contact us form, 

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