Project Manager – Mainframe Modernization (10+ Years) Experience

Job Title - Project Manager – Mainframe Modernization (10+ Years)

Experience

Remote

Long Term

10+ years of experience in IT Project Management with proven expertise in leading Mainframe Modernization, Legacy Transformation, Application Migration, and Enterprise Transformation programs. Experience managing large-scale modernization initiatives involving Mainframe applications, cloud migration, DevOps adoption, and cross-functional delivery teams.

Required Skills

• Strong experience in Project Management, Program Delivery, and Enterprise Transformation initiatives.

• Proven experience leading Mainframe Modernization programs involving COBOL, CICS, JCL, DB2, IMS, VSAM, and z/OS environments.

• Hands-on experience managing application migration, rehosting, replatforming, refactoring, and cloud transformation projects.

• Strong understanding of Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, and Hybrid delivery methodologies.

• Experience managing project budgets, resource planning, forecasting, and vendor engagements.

• Expertise in stakeholder management, executive communication, governance, and reporting.

• Experience managing distributed teams across Development, Infrastructure, Testing, DevOps, Security, and Business functions.

• Strong knowledge of risk management, issue management, change control, and project governance processes.

• Familiarity with cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud Platform.

• Understanding of DevOps, CI/CD practices, release management, and modernization frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of Mainframe Modernization and Legacy Transformation initiatives.

• Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, budgets, milestones, and resource allocation strategies.

• Drive application modernization activities including portfolio assessment, migration planning, execution, testing, and production deployment.

• Coordinate activities across Mainframe, Cloud, Infrastructure, Development, Testing, Security, and Business teams.

• Establish project governance forums, status reporting mechanisms, and executive-level communication plans.

• Track project progress, manage dependencies, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies.

• Manage project scope, change requests, budget adherence, and delivery timelines.

• Facilitate stakeholder meetings, steering committees, and project review sessions.

• Ensure successful execution of migration, cutover, and post-implementation support activities.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and recommend modernization best practices to improve delivery efficiency.

• Ensure compliance with organizational standards, security policies, and regulatory requirements.

• Prepare project documentation, delivery reports, dashboards, and executive presentations.

Preferred Skills

• PMP, PRINCE2, SAFe, Scrum Master, PMI-ACP, or equivalent project management certification.

• Experience managing Mainframe-to-Cloud migration programs.

• Knowledge of Mainframe Modernization tools and platforms such as IBM Modernization Solutions, Micro Focus, Rocket Software, Raincode, Astadia, or TmaxSoft.

• Experience with Azure DevOps, Jira, ServiceNow, Confluence, or similar project management and collaboration tools.

• Understanding of CI/CD pipelines, DevOps transformation initiatives, and release automation practices.

• Experience working with global delivery teams and large enterprise transformation programs.

• Familiarity with API modernization, microservices architecture, and cloud-native application development concepts.

Soft Skills

• Strong leadership and decision-making abilities.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in fast-paced transformation programs.

• Strong negotiation, conflict resolution, and influencing skills.

• Self-driven with a focus on delivery excellence and customer satisfaction.

• Ability to build collaborative relationships across business and technology teams.

• Strong ownership, accountability, and risk management mindset.

Primary Skill: Mainframe Modernization Program & Project Management

Secondary Skills: Legacy Transformation, Application Migration, Cloud Migration, Agile Delivery, Stakeholder Management, Risk Management, Budget Management, DevOps, CI/CD, Governance, Vendor Management, Azure/AWS, COBOL, CICS, JCL, DB2, z/OS.