At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead investigations into mainframe performance and scalability, providing actionable recommendations.
- Company: Dynamic consulting firm focused on innovative technology solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive contract rates, flexible hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with senior architects in a fast-paced, consulting environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by optimising critical enterprise platforms and influencing future tech decisions.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience with IBM Z mainframes, Db2, CICS, and performance optimisation.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
We're looking for a highly experienced Mainframe Performance & Scalability SME to support a short-term consulting assignment, helping assess the resilience, scalability and future performance of a critical enterprise platform.
You'll lead a structured technical investigation into an established IBM mainframe environment, using evidence-based analysis to identify performance constraints, optimisation opportunities and future scalability risks. This is not a traditional BAU support role — you'll be working as a trusted technical advisor, collaborating with senior architects and engineering teams to deliver meaningful recommendations that influence future technology decisions.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead technical investigations into mainframe performance, scalability and capacity challenges.
- Analyse Db2 and CICS workloads to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies and optimisation opportunities.
- Review database growth, SQL performance, access paths, indexing strategies and data management approaches.
- Assess mainframe capacity, workload management, batch processing and MSU utilisation.
- Investigate performance impacts from infrastructure changes, including IBM Z migrations and cryptographic processing.
- Correlate business transactions with application, database, CPU and I/O behaviour to identify root causes.
- Review monitoring and observability capabilities across the platform.
- Assess performance testing approaches and validate scalability assumptions.
- Produce clear findings and prioritised recommendations for senior technical stakeholders.
About You
You'll have extensive experience across:
- IBM Z mainframe environments and performance optimisation.
- Db2 for z/OS performance analysis, including SQL tuning, access paths, RUNSTATS, REORG, locking and workload behaviour.
- CICS transaction processing and application performance analysis.
- Mainframe capacity management, including RMF, SMF, WLM and MSU utilisation.
- Batch and online workload analysis, identifying performance constraints and scalability risks.
- Mainframe monitoring and diagnostics tooling such as OMEGAMON, MainView, BMC AMI, RMF/SMF or equivalent.
- Performance testing, workload modelling and capacity assurance.
Consulting Skills
Alongside deep technical expertise, you'll be comfortable with:
- Leading technical discussions with architects, engineers and senior stakeholders.
- Challenging assumptions and validating findings through evidence.
- Turning complex technical analysis into clear, actionable recommendations.
- Working independently within a consulting environment.
- Communicating effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences.
Mainframe Performance & Scalability SME employer: ANSON MCCADE
Anson McCade is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a flexible remote working environment in the UK. With a strong focus on security and digital transformation, employees benefit from comprehensive training programmes and clear pathways for career advancement, all while contributing to impactful projects alongside talented teams and senior stakeholders.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mainframe Performance & Scalability SME
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Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges ANSON MCCADE might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
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We think you need these skills to ace Mainframe Performance & Scalability SME
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at ANSON MCCADE.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at ANSON MCCADE. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at ANSON MCCADE
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.