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: Experience in COBOL, JCL programming, and leading remote teams required.
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 modernization 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.
Applications Support Lead employer: Worldline
At our MeTS Settlement and Specialist Services Business Unit, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. With remote working flexibility across Mainland UK and regular team engagement days in Chester, we offer our employees the chance to grow their technical skills while leading a diverse team in supporting critical mainframe systems for the UK Rail Industry. Our commitment to continuous learning, professional development, and a psychologically safe environment ensures that every team member can thrive and contribute to meaningful projects that drive modernisation initiatives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Applications Support Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research their projects, values, and recent news. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their 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 those tricky interview questions! Think about how your experience with COBOL, JCL, and leading remote teams can shine through. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can keep you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit!
We think you need these skills to ace Applications Support Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Applications 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!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves a lot of stakeholder management, don’t forget to showcase your excellent written and verbal communication skills. Use examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you’ve effectively communicated in similar situations.
Highlight Problem-Solving Experience:We love candidates who can think on their feet! Make sure to include examples of how you've handled multiple competing issues and prioritised them effectively. This will show us you're ready for the fast-paced environment we work in.
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, it shows you’re keen to join our team at StudySmarter!
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 customer satisfaction.
✨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 stakeholder meetings.
