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- Tasks: Lead and modernise enterprise CICS environments while ensuring stability and performance.
- Company: Join Allstate, a leader in innovative protection solutions with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible benefits, healthcare, career growth, and access to world-class learning platforms.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-performing team focused on modern technology and social responsibility.
- Qualifications: 5+ years of CICS Systems Programming experience and z/OS systems knowledge required.
- Other info: Be part of a winning team that values diversity and supports your professional journey.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
At Allstate, great things happen when our people work together to protect families and their belongings from life’s uncertainties. For more than 90 years, our innovative drive has kept us a step ahead of our customers’ evolving needs.
Your role in the team
We are seeking a Senior CICS Infrastructure Solutions Engineer with hands-on mainframe experience to lead, support, and modernize enterprise CICS environments. This role is deeply infrastructure-focused and responsible for the stability, performance, scalability, and modernization of mission-critical transaction systems. The ideal candidate is a seasoned CICS systems engineer who understands both the traditional strengths of CICS and its evolution into a modern API-enabled platform.
Job Description
- Install, configure, upgrade, and maintain CICS/TS across multiple LPARs (DEV/TEST/QA/PROD).
- Design and manage CICS regions, including TORs, AORs, FORs, and coupling facility structures.
- Own and deliver high availability, resiliency, and disaster recovery strategies for CICS environments.
- Perform capacity planning, performance tuning, and MIPS optimization.
- Troubleshoot complex CICS issues such as storage violations, abends, region hangs, and performance degradation.
- Integrate CICS with z/OS Connect, MQ, DB2, IMS, and distributed platforms.
- Support API enablement, including SOAP-to-REST modernization and secure transaction exposure.
- Ensure secure connectivity using RACF, TLS, digital certificates, and network controls.
- Drive automation using SMP/E, REXX, JCL, Ansible, and vendor tooling.
- Reduce technical debt via proactive upgrades, feature enablement, and component decommissioning.
- Collaborate with application teams to modernize legacy interfaces while preserving system stability.
Essential Criteria
- All candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK. Allstate is unable to provide sponsorship for this position.
- A minimum of 5 years CICS Systems Programming experience in large-scale enterprise environments including installation, maintenance and configuration of the product.
- A minimum of 5 years’ experience with z/OS systems, (JES, SMF, WLM, SMP/E etc.) Performance tuning and problem determination.
- Availability for on-call support; the successful candidate will be part of the escalation path for out-of-hours on-call support.
Desirable Criteria
- Prior leadership / team leader experience.
- Experience of configuring z/OS Connect.
- Familiarity with CPSM.
- Exposure to MQ, z/OS Connect, and mainframe networking concepts.
- Some experience in Programming/Scripting tools such as COBOL, REXX, Python etc.
- Exposure supporting 24x7, high-volume transaction systems.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This job does not have supervisory duties.
Joining our team isn’t just a job — it’s an opportunity.
One that takes your skills and pushes them to the next level. One that encourages you to challenge the status quo. One where you can shape the future of protection while supporting causes that mean the most to you. Joining our team means being part of something bigger – a winning team making a meaningful impact.
Allstate NI is proud to be Allstate’s European Digital Centre of Excellence—recent winners of ‘Best Use of Cloud Services’ at the Belfast Telegraph IT Awards 2024, and recognised for our community and sustainability impact at the 2024 Business in the Community Awards and Gold accreditation for Environmental Responsibility.
We’re a product-driven, cloud-first organisation delivering real outcomes through modern technology, a digital product-centric talent model, and a culture rooted in engineering excellence. Our teams work in cross-functional structures, guided by an outcome-based delivery approach that accelerates speed, agility, and value.
We offer:
- A generous, flexible benefits package including annual leave, healthcare and dental cover, pension, and lifestyle discounts.
- Access to world-class learning platforms and award-winning L&D.
- Clear career paths, internal mobility, and a strong focus on growth.
- A people-first culture with flexible working options.
Be part of a high-performing, socially responsible organisation where your work has purpose, and your growth is supported every step of the way.
Statement on Fair Employment and Equal Opportunities
Allstate NI wishes to ensure equal opportunity is given to all job applicants. This company will not discriminate on the grounds of race, gender (including gender reassignment status), sexual orientation, religious belief, political opinion, marital status, age or disability. We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons. However, as women are currently under-represented in our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from women. All appointments will be made on merit.
Applicants should note Allstate NI complete AccessNI background checks on all candidates offered a position.
Senior CICS Systems Programmer (hybrid/remote) in Belfast employer: Allstate Northern Ireland Limited
Contact Detail:
Allstate Northern Ireland Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior CICS Systems Programmer (hybrid/remote) in Belfast
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and join online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to CICS systems programming. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with your responses.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills through personal projects or contributions to open-source. This not only demonstrates your expertise but also gives you something tangible to discuss during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior CICS Systems Programmer (hybrid/remote) in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your CICS Systems Programming experience. Use keywords from the job description to show that you’re a perfect fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for mainframe technology and how your skills align with our mission at Allstate. Keep it concise but impactful.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements in previous roles. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate how you’ve improved system performance or resolved complex issues.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you on our radar!
How to prepare for a job interview at Allstate Northern Ireland Limited
✨Know Your CICS Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your CICS knowledge before the interview. Understand its architecture, how to manage regions, and be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with installation and configuration. This will show that you're not just familiar with the system but can also lead and modernise it.
✨Showcase Problem-Solving Skills
Be prepared to discuss specific examples of complex CICS issues you've resolved in the past. Whether it's troubleshooting storage violations or performance degradation, having concrete examples will demonstrate your expertise and ability to handle high-pressure situations.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Modern Integrations
Since the role involves integrating CICS with modern platforms like z/OS Connect and APIs, make sure you understand these concepts. Be ready to talk about any experience you have with SOAP-to-REST modernisation or secure transaction exposure, as this will highlight your adaptability to evolving technologies.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
This position requires collaboration with application teams, so be ready to discuss how you've worked with others in the past. Highlight any leadership experience or teamwork scenarios where you contributed to modernising legacy interfaces while maintaining system stability.