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Technical Lead - Mainframe Transaction Systems (CICS)

Employer
Allstate Insurance Company
Location
Charlotte, North Carolina
Salary
Not Specified
Closing date
Sep 29, 2019

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Category
IT
Job Type
Not Specified
Career Level
Not Specified

Job Details

Where good people build rewarding careers.

Think that working in the insurance field can’t be exciting, rewarding and challenging? Think again. You’ll help us reinvent protection and retirement to improve customers’ lives. We’ll help you make an impact with our training and mentoring offerings. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to expand and apply your skills in ways you never thought possible. And you’ll have fun doing it. Join a company of individuals with hopes, plans and passions, all using and developing our talents for good, at work and in life.

Job Description

The Technical Lead is responsible for the overall architecture of the Transaction Systems environment and ensuring that the teams products (CICS, MQ, etc.) are optimally configured and maintained to meeting business needs.

Individuals in this position are the subject matter expert for the team and assume leadership in troubleshooting and diagnosing complex cross technology problems, drive and deliver efficiencies and improved performance by identifying performance and tuning opportunities and optimizing new release functionality, and proactively build and improve relationships with the team’s technology, applications, and business partners.

Key Responsibilities

  • Research and implement recognized best practices for managing the Transaction Systems environment
  • Define new CICS and/or IBM MQ components in support of application or infrastructure projects
  • Ensure timely updates and maintenance of CICS components and IBM MQ queue managers
  • Lead troubleshooting and resolution of CICS and/or IBM MQ incidents, issues and problems.
  • Take ownership for and resolve highly complex or critical incidents within the mainframe transaction systems environment
  • Develop best practice techniques for team’s products that result in low incidents and high availability.
  • Provide project consultation to business application teams; assist in the design and development of CICS and/or IBM MQ solutions
  • Participate in reviewing and updating in-house developed CICS programs and utilities
  • Understand CICS Performance and Tuning to identify opportunities for performance and capacity improvements and when required engage with business application teams to assist with implemented recommended changes
  • Design, plan, implement and secure new functionality and improvements deliver with product upgrades to drive efficiencies, improved services and cost reduction
  • Collaborate with z/OS Support, Network, Security and Application Support teams in the development of solutions and practices
  • Be available for project and maintenance activities outside normal working hours, as needed

Job Qualifications

The ideal person will be able to demonstrate the following competencies:

  • Self-motivated and self-directed
  • Strong leadership skills; ability to effectively coach, mentor and provide direction for other technical resources
  • Ability to operate effectively as part of a geographically dispersed team
  • Lead by example and be an advocate for change
  • Expert level technical knowledge of CICS and MQ
  • Ability to collaborate with leadership and senior level technicians to assist in setting technical direction
  • Stakeholder Management with business application clients and vendors
  • Strong interpersonal, collaboration and team skills
  • Effective oral and written communication

Hours of work

  • Generally, standard hours Mon – Fri
  • Must be willing and available for project and maintenance activities outside normal working hours, as needed
  • Flexibility to meet business needs as required

Job Qualifications (Cont'd)

Essential criteria

Candidates should clearly state on their application form how they meet each of the essential criteria as these will be assessed during shortlisting and only these deemed to meet all of the below criteria will move forward to the next stage.

  • 7+ years of knowledge and experience supporting Transaction Systems applications (CICS, MQ), preferably in a system programmer role.
  • Experience with the architecture and configuration of Transaction Systems applications
  • Strong ability to troubleshoot and resolve Transaction Systems application problems
  • Experience of building and working in partnership with a client base and vendors
  • Experience within a zOS multi-LPAR, multi-site sysplex environment
  • Experience installing and supporting ISV software products; experience working with SMP/E
  • Extensive experience working with TSO, ISPF/PDF and SDSF
  • Bachelor’s degree preferred

The candidate(s) offered this position will be required to submit to a background investigation, which includes a drug screen.

Good Work. Good Life. Good Hands®.

As a Fortune 100 company and industry leader, we provide a competitive salary – but that’s just the beginning. Our Total Rewards package also offers benefits like tuition assistance, medical and dental insurance, as well as a robust pension and 401(k). Plus, you’ll have access to a wide variety of programs to help you balance your work and personal life -- including a generous paid time off policy.

Allstate generally does not sponsor individuals for employment-based visas for this position.


It is the Company’s policy to employ the best qualified individuals available for all jobs. Therefore, any discriminatory action taken on account of an employee’s ancestry, age, color, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual and reproductive health decision, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion (including religious dress), sex, or sexual orientation that adversely affects an employee's terms or conditions of employment is prohibited. This policy applies to all aspects of the employment relationship, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, salary administration, promotion, job assignment, benefits, discipline, and separation of employment


Company

COMPANY INFORMATION The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) protects people from life's uncertainties with more than 113 million proprietary policies. Allstate offers a broad array of protection products through multiple brands and diverse distribution channels, including auto, home, life and other insurance offered through its Allstate, Esurance, Encompass, SquareTrade and Answer Financial brands. Allstate is widely known from the slogan "You're in Good Hands with Allstate." The Allstate Corporation is the largest publicly held personal lines property and casualty insurer in America. Allstate was founded in 1931 and became a publicly traded company in 1993. In 2023, Allstate was number 84 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies in America. WHAT WE DO We’re more than insurance agents and claims representatives. We’re individuals with hopes, plans and passions. The biggest of which is helping people live smarter, safer lives. Doing so means continuing to re-imagine how we do what we do, the impact we can make on the world, ways we can each succeed in our own careers and actions we can take as a company that are good for all. To do that, we need all kinds of people – including lawyers, accountants, building engineers, project managers, marketing professionals, human resource specialists and so many more. WHO WE ARE – INCLUSIVE DIVERSITY    We hold each other accountable to encourage and embrace our collective differences. It’s our individual characteristics, values and beliefs, along with backgrounds and experiences that give us fresh perspective and purpose. We work harder, meet customer needs more effectively, share better, and identify more innovative ideas when we are accepted for who we are by the world around us. Our success comes from a chorus of many different voices. At Allstate, every voice counts.​ In our stand against racism, we’ve been making changes within Allstate. We’ve been listening, learning and engaging in change. We are focused on improving equity for all. Allstate is committed to long-term change not only in the way we conduct our business, but also for our employees. There’s a dynamic environment waiting for you here. You’ll find people with similar interests, as well as the many who’ll help expand your horizons. We believe in the power of connections. That’s why Allstate promotes diversity through a robust network of employee resource groups. It helps connect us all and supports our unique talents. Here are some of the available resource groups that actively support our employees: Abilities Beyond Limitations & Expectations African American Working Network Allstate Asian American Network Allstate Foster and Adoption Network Allstate PRIDE Allstate Veterans Engagement Team and Supporters Allstate Women’s Information Network Entrepreneurs at Allstate Families at Allstate Matter Native American Peoples at Allstate Professional Latino Allstate Network Young Professionals Organization WHY JOIN OUR COMPANY Allstate has been protecting people from life's uncertainties since 1931. We continuously develop and improve products and services so our customers can live well protected. For employees, we offer an environment that fosters innovative thinking and collaboration - where you'll be able to explore your ideas and feel proud of the work you do.  Our Benefits Allstate is dedicated to helping employees live happier and healthier lives. As a Fortune 100 company and industry leader, we provide a competitive salary and a benefits package that includes medical and dental insurance, tuition assistance, as well as a robust pension and 401(k). Plus, you'll have access to a wide variety of programs to help you balance your work and personal life - including a generous paid time off policy.  Growth and Development We support your desire to grow and provide opportunities to learn, explore new horizons, and follow your passion in a meaningful career. From access to hundreds of learning opportunities to in-house networking and rotational work experiences, Allstate is a place where you can forge your own path and expand your personal and professional potential. 
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