The Senior Manager of Mainframe Services plays a critical leadership role in managing Mainframe infrastructure across on-premises data centers.
This role ensures the delivery of Mainframe Infrastructure Services and drive platform modernization & optimization initiatives as well as Innovation and Automation. The Senior Manager oversees both third-party and internally managed IT infrastructure to meet the enterprises operational and strategic needs.
Key Responsibilities:
Mainframe Engineering
- Lead the design, deployment, and lifecycle management of Mainframe Infrastructure installed in Colo datacenters.
- Ensure Mainframe infrastructure solutions are optimized, secure, and aligned with business and technology strategies.
- Champion innovation, automation & Ansible, AI enabled and DevOps practices to accelerate delivery and improve reliability.
- Oversee Mainframe services delivery and collaborate with Internal and External stakeholders to manage platform
- Manage initiatives to modernize legacy mainframe systems by working closely with application teams, improving operational efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing business agility
Operational Governance and IT Service Management
: - Manage the performance of IT infrastructure services delivered by external vendors, ensuring
service-level agreements (SLAs)
are met and supporting business continuity. - Act as the
point of escalation for critical issues
from business partners, driving prompt and effective resolution. - Oversee governance of IT operations, ensuring that outsourced services are aligned with enterprise goals and maintaining
compliance with regulatory and business standards
.
Team Leadership and Cross-functional Collaboration
: - Lead a team of infrastructure engineers and professionals, fostering innovation, efficiency, and collaboration.
- Partner closely with
application and product teams
, ensuring infrastructure capabilities effectively support evolving business requirements. - Guide the team in adopting best practices for infrastructure resilience and security while enabling digital transformation initiatives.
- Drive cross-functional programs that enable cloud adoption, infrastructure optimization, and digital transformation.
Required Qualifications:
- This role requires a deep understanding of Mainframe technologies z/OS, DB2/IMS, MQ Series, Broadcom Software, Mainframe Hardware z16, DASD(DS8K) & Tape(TS7770) technologies.
- Strong leadership skills and experience with large-scale infrastructure projects are essential to successfully guide the organization and improve overall business agility.
Experience
- Bachelors degree in computer science, Engineering, MIS, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
- 15+ years of Experience in managing Mainframe Infrastructure (z16, DS8000, TS7770 hardware, SAN Fabric and Software (z/OS, DFSMS,
GDPS
, CA1, ACF2, DB2/IMS, MQ Series and various other ISV Softwares from IBM, BMC, Broadcom etc.) - Deep understanding of mainframe technologies with hands on experience z/OS, Mainframe Storage Hardware & Software, Broadcom Products and IBM and other ISV Products
- 10+ years of leadership experience, with a proven track record in delivering business and technical roadmaps by leading technical teams and executing initiatives. Experience in driving cost optimization initiatives and rationalization.
- Manage software installations, upgrades, and patching IBM and Broadcom and Other vendor softwares
Technical Expertise
- Demonstrated ability to design, deploy, and manage large-scale Infrastructure operations, focusing on reliability, performance, and scalability.
- Strong knowledge of Mainframe server architecture, storage solutions (DS8K, TS770 and SAN Fabric)
- Strong knowledge on Mainframe Modernization and Cloud technologies including AWS, Azure, and GCP is a plus.
Strategic Leadership
- Proven record of driving diverse initiatives and executing efficiently, balancing short-term goals with long-term strategy.
Operational Excellence
- Skilled in ITSM practices (e.g., incident, problem, and change management), especially within datacenter and Cloud
- Expertise in implementing automation and monitoring solutions to reduce manual intervention, optimize infrastructure, and improve system reliability.
- Demonstrated reasoning and troubleshooting skills to resolve complex technical issues.
Financial Acumen
- Ability to manage budgets, including capital and operational expenses, related to Mainframe server, storage & Backup, and datacenter initiatives.
- Skilled in cost optimization, vendor management, and strategic partnerships to maximize infrastructure investments.
Communication and Collaboration
- Strong customer service orientation, with experience in customer relationship management
- Proven success in influencing, leading, and coaching technical teams, including those outside of direct leadership.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to executives and non-technical stakeholders.
Preferred Qualifications:
Technical and Strategic Vision
- Experience delivering Mainframe Solutions with a commercial mindset. Skills on Mainframe Modernization assessment and cloud migration is a plus
- Solid understanding of emerging I&O technologies and industry best practices, including knowledge of IT service management (ITIL) and agile methodologies.
- Success in blending traditional best practices with emerging methods, such as DevOps, to achieve agility.
- Familiarity with data center management and understanding of current infrastructure trends.
Communication and Influence
- Proven ability to articulate complex technical information effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences, across all organizational levels.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of building rapport, credibility, and trust with stakeholders at all levels.
- Demonstrated ability to influence and negotiate in complex scenarios, including experience leading change initiatives that drive organizational impact.
Financial Acumen
- Experience in financial planning and budget management at both the departmental and project level, with a strong business sense and ability to drive cost optimization.
- Expertise in budget planning, financial management, and cost-saving strategies, such as MIPS reductions and software rationalization.
Leadership in a Global Environment
- Experience working within a geographically dispersed team environment, successfully managing technical delivery through both vendor (on- and off-shore) and employee resources.
- Proven success in championing organizational change and leading initiatives that drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Vendor and Partner Management
- Strong vendor management and partner relations skills, with experience in managing strategic partnerships to maximize infrastructure and technology investments.
