Mainframe Technical Lead

Join Barclays as a Mainframe Technical Lead and take a pivotal role in designing and delivering end-to-end solutions using mainframe technologies. In this hands-on position, you’ll act as an individual contributor while managing multiple concurrent projects of varying size and complexity. You’ll lead the technical design and build phases, ensuring high-quality delivery by effectively delegating tasks to junior engineers and driving progress from concept to completion. This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the core systems that power Barclays’ retail banking operations.

To be successful in this role, you will need the following:

• Strong expertise in software design and development using COBOL, CICS, DB2, and JCL.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot technical issues, primarily within project lifecycles and post-delivery support.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively across teams and with stakeholders.

Some other highly valued skills may include:

• Experience with the HOGAN framework.
• Familiarity with Z/OS Connect APIs for modernising and integrating mainframe applications.
• A solid understanding of mainframe hardware and architecture.

You may be assessed on the key critical skills relevant for success in role, such as risk and controls, change and transformation, business acumen, strategic thinking and digital and technology, as well as job-specific technical skills.

The successful candidate will be based in Knutsford (Radbroke Hall).

Purpose of the role

To design, develop and improve software, utilising various engineering methodologies, that provides business, platform, and technology capabilities for our customers and colleagues. 

Accountabilities

• Development and delivery of high-quality software solutions by using industry aligned programming languages, frameworks, and tools. Ensuring that code is scalable, maintainable, and optimised for performance.
• Cross-functional collaboration with product managers, designers, and other engineers to define software requirements, devise solution strategies, and ensure seamless integration and alignment with business objectives.
• Collaboration with peers, participate in code reviews, and promote a culture of code quality and knowledge sharing.
• Stay informed of industry technology trends and innovations and actively contribute to the organisation’s technology communities to foster a culture of technical excellence and growth.
• Adherence to secure coding practices to mitigate vulnerabilities, protect sensitive data, and ensure secure software solutions.
• Implementation of effective unit testing practices to ensure proper code design, readability, and reliability.

Assistant Vice President Expectations

• Advise and influence decision making, contribute to policy development and take responsibility for operational effectiveness. Collaborate closely with other functions/business divisions.
• Lead collaborative assignments and guide team members through structured assignments, identify the need for the inclusion of other areas of specialisation to complete assignments. Identify new directions for assignments and/or projects, identifying a combination of cross functional methodologies or practices to meet required outcomes.
• Consult on complex issues; providing advice to People Leaders to support the resolution of escalated issues.
• Identify ways to mitigate risk and developing new policies/procedures in support of the control and governance agenda.
• Take ownership for managing risk and strengthening controls in relation to the work done.
• Perform work that is closely related to that of other areas, which requires understanding of how areas coordinate and contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the organisation sub-function.
• Collaborate with other areas of work, for business aligned support areas to keep up to speed with business activity and the business strategy.
• Engage in complex analysis of data from multiple sources of information, internal and external sources such as procedures and practises (in other areas, teams, companies, etc.) to solve problems creatively and effectively.
• Communicate complex information. 'Complex' information could include sensitive information or information that is difficult to communicate because of its content or its audience.
• Influence or convince stakeholders to achieve outcomes.

All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship – our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive – the operating manual for how we behave.