Manager, MVS Systems Programmers

Western & Southern Financial Group has an immediate opportunity for a Manager, Technical Services.Western & Southern Financial Group, a Fortune 500 company, is a dynamic family of diversified financial services companies that provides life insurance, retirement planning and investment products and services to help millions of consumers nationwide to plan and protect their futures.With more than 5,000 associates and more than 50,000 individuals in our selling group, Western & Southern Financial Group offers consumers and businesses the financial products and services they require to meet their insurance needs and investment goals. Having reached more than $38 billion in assets owned and under management, we are leveraging our unmatched financial strength to fuel impressive growth through strategic acquisitions, increases in our current product revenue stream and expansion into new channels and businesses. www.westernsouthern.com
Job Responsibilities:
Directs Technical Services personnel providing hardware/software tactical planning, implementation and maintenance. Makes recommendations to Department Management on installation and utilization of equipment and packages. Oversees capacity planning analysis of workload measurements to report on current usage of hardware/software and forecast when upgrades will be required to meet all required service levels. Provides direction for MVS Systems Programmers (8) for support of all IS divisions in the form of technical assistance, specialized educational support and system development recommendations. The manager works with all levels of management and specialists, both within and outside of IS, and extensively with outside vendors and consultants to assess their products and services. Works with minimal supervision and is responsible to independently make a broad range of critical decisions, escalating to executive level associates only when appropriate.· Directs the efforts of the MVS Systems Programmers to provide technical support for all computer users in the research, recommendation, installation and maintenance of all software and hardware and in the monitoring of current hardware and software for performance measurement and tuning.
· Communicates computer performance (progress and problems) to department management through various reporting mechanisms.
· Interfaces with various computer vendors to ascertain the most applicable equipment and software for Western and Southern Financial Group (WSFG) and participates in the negotiation process with the vendors.
· Analyzes WSFG plans and trends to insure infrastructure will be adequate to meet the upcoming demands.
· Controls project workload among staff to insure appropriate priority is being placed on the right projects.· Plays an active role in controlling budget expenditures.· Keeps abreast of new technologies and equipment to ascertain future potential use.
· Recruits, hires, trains, and develops staff.Provides direction to and development of associates through daily coaching, the administration of the Performance Management Program, and the creation and implementation of development plans.
· Performs other duties as assigned by management.
REQUIREMENTS
· Proven experience managing a MVS Systems Programmers supporting a mainframe environment with hardware and software technologies; must have previous "hands on" systems programming experience.
· Proven ability to understand and conceptualize current technical situations and make recommendations for process changes that would improve the situations.
· Proven hands on experience performing technical systems support, such as in Operating Systems, Online services, Tape and/or DASD management, middleware, etc.
· Proven experience coordinating multiple projects/assignments simultaneously and completing assigned tasks accurately and on a timely basis. Must demonstrate a strong attention to detail with excellent organization skills. Cite examples of organization and time management/methods used to manage or prioritize workload demands.· Demonstrated experience leading and motivating teams, including providing direction, coaching and effective feedback to team members
· Proven strong analytical skills, including demonstrated experience identifying and quantifying problems and providing effective resolutions. Cite examples of good decision-making skills when dealing with multiple alternatives
· Strong project management skills. Cite examples of developing, organizing, initiating and maintaining complex projects and successfully accomplishing goals.
· Possesses and displays excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to convey information to internal and external customers in a clear, focused and concise manner.
· Demonstrated experience working independently. Cite examples identifying and resolving problems where independent decision-making and initiative were demonstrated.· Bachelors Degree or commensurate selection criteria experience.
· Proficient in word processing, spreadsheet applications, and database applications.
· Proficient in mainframe architecture components, hardware and softwareWestern & Southern Financial Group is a company consistently recognized for its financial and operating stability. We offer a competitive salary and benefits including health, dental, life, 401K, pension program, tuition reimbursement, and other unique services (fitness center, subsidized parking, cafeteria, and more) as well as tremendous opportunities for career growth.
For confidential consideration, qualified candidates should submit their resume and salary requirements by clicking on the "apply now" button below.