At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team supporting critical mainframe systems for the UK Rail Industry.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company focused on modernising railway services.
- Benefits: Remote work, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Engage in continuous learning and contribute to innovative projects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the rail industry while developing your technical skills.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in COBOL and JCL programming; experience leading remote teams.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Join our MeTS Settlement and Specialist Services Business Unit as a Mainframe Application Support Team Leader, where you'll lead a dynamic team of on-shore and off-shore professionals supporting critical mainframe systems for the UK Rail Industry. This role offers the opportunity to manage day-to-day operations whilst utilising your own technical skills to deliver enhancements and BAU support tasks as well as develop strategic expertise to drive modernisation initiatives for our key railway customers.
This role is a remote working role (Mainland UK based) although there is an expectation that the candidate will attend the monthly team collaboration day in Chester and also be available for occasional visits to customer sites or Worldline sites as required.
- Managing team workload and ensuring that at least 98% of ServiceNOW tickets are handled within SLA requirements.
- Report progress and escalate risks and issues to Specialist Services Operational Team manager and customer stakeholders as required.
- Develop own application knowledge alongside team leading activities in order to contribute to BAU support tasks and also to support strategic initiatives.
- Attend monthly service reviews with customers and represent the team professionally.
- Participate in problem management Root Cause Analysis (RCA) investigations and represent changes at Change Approval Board (CAB) meetings as necessary.
- Perform on-call support as part of rota once familiar with the applications.
- Review test plans and results from team members, ensuring quality delivery.
- Provide team members with opportunities to discuss their individual performance and career goals through monthly 1:1s and annual performance reviews, all delivered in a psychologically safe manner.
- Encourage team to identify improvements to processes and services in order to reduce recurring incidents, improve customer satisfaction and drive new opportunities.
- Ensure that knowledge of applications is being spread across the team in order to minimise the risk of knowledge loss.
- Positively lead the team’s participation in wider Specialist Services team initiatives for potential application modernisation and replacement projects.
Proven expertise in COBOL (both Batch and CICS) and JCL programming (5 years+). Proven experience leading remote teams and managing diverse workforces (2 years+). Proven experience of delivering application support to business critical mainframe services in 24*7 SLA-driven environments (5 years+). Proven experience of providing on-call support as part of a rota. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in relation to both team and stakeholder management. Ability to handle multiple competing issues and prioritise them appropriately (e.g. prioritising incidents based on priority level and SLA timelines, project deliveries etc.).
As we support a number of large and complex systems for the Rail Industry, the candidate will need to be comfortable with quickly learning about new business contexts and be able to articulate their approach to this at interview. Commitment to continuous learning and professional development for both self and team.
ITIL Foundation certification (Version 3+). Previous experience with using ServiceNOW (or equivalent service management tool) and JIRA/Confluence. Previous experience of Mainframe Transformation or Migration projects would be advantageous. Knowledge of UK Rail or other Transport sector experience would be advantageous. IBM Assembler. ADABAS (using COBOL direct calls). IBM MQ interface development.
Application Support Lead - Remote employer: Worldline
At our company, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. As an Application Support Lead, you will benefit from remote working flexibility while also engaging in meaningful team interactions during monthly collaboration days in Chester. We are committed to your professional growth, providing opportunities for continuous learning and development, ensuring that you can lead your team effectively while contributing to the modernisation of critical systems in the UK Rail Industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Application Support Lead - Remote
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research their projects, values, and culture. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider tips or even a referral, which can give you a leg up in the hiring process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to application support and team leadership. Use the job description as your guide to highlight relevant experiences and skills that match what they’re looking for.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Application Support Lead - Remote
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Application Support Lead role. Highlight your experience with COBOL, JCL, and leading remote teams. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about supporting the UK Rail Industry and how your background makes you the perfect fit for our team. Keep it engaging and relevant!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves managing teams and stakeholders, make sure to demonstrate your excellent written communication skills in your application. We love clear and concise language that gets straight to the point!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Worldline
✨Know Your Mainframe Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your COBOL, JCL, and any other relevant mainframe technologies before the interview. Be ready to discuss your experience with these systems and how you've used them in past roles, especially in a 24/7 SLA-driven environment.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a remote team, be prepared to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed diverse teams. Highlight your approach to team collaboration, performance reviews, and how you foster a psychologically safe environment for your team.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Expect questions about your experience with Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and how you've handled incidents in the past. Prepare to discuss a challenging situation you faced, how you approached it, and what the outcome was, particularly in relation to improving processes and reducing recurring incidents.
✨Communicate Effectively
Strong communication skills are key for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially when discussing technical concepts. Be ready to explain how you would represent your team in service reviews and engage with stakeholders professionally.
