[Hiring] Program Director – Mainframe Optimization & Delivery @Ensono

Role Description

As the Program Director you will lead strategic client engagements focused on mainframe optimization, program delivery, and pre-sales solutioning. This role combines deep technical expertise with consultative leadership, helping clients modernize legacy environments, improve operational efficiency, and achieve transformational outcomes.

You will serve as a trusted advisor to clients, guiding them through complex technical decisions and delivering high-impact programs. You’ll also collaborate closely with Sales, Solution Architects, and Delivery teams to shape solutions, define roadmaps, and ensure successful execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a Program Director and technical advisor to clients, providing strategic guidance on mainframe optimization, modernization, and transformation initiatives.
• Lead end-to-end program delivery, including planning, execution, governance, and stakeholder management across multiple concurrent engagements.
• Provide Project/Program Management for delivery of projects.
• Support pre-sales activities by contributing to solution design, scoping, proposal development, and client presentations.
• Develop and maintain program plans, timelines, budgets, and resource allocations using tools such as Jira, Asana, MS Project, and Smartsheet.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless delivery of technical solutions, including installation, testing, and implementation of mainframe systems and software.
• Drive continuous improvement across mainframe environments (z/OS, tape management, scheduling, security, monitoring, etc.) through automation, cost optimization, and performance tuning.
• Translate complex technical concepts into business value for non-technical stakeholders.
• Conduct post-project reviews and implement lessons learned to improve future engagements.
• Mentor junior consultants and contribute to internal knowledge sharing and thought leadership.
• Ensure compliance with technical standards, industry best practices, and client-specific requirements.
• Supervise groups of projects and align program execution to long-term business objectives.
• Build strong client relationships and establish trusted-advisor status.
• Partner with assigned clients to confirm business requirements, objectives, success criteria, and deliverables.
• Manage clear, consistent communication across Ensono, client stakeholders, vendors, and suppliers.
• Serve as the customer advocate by coordinating with Ensono technical, build, and implementation teams to support seamless delivery.
• Participate in the pre-sale cycle (where applicable) to define program governance, interpret contractual deliverables, and confirm that the proposed delivery structure is executable.
• Work with project teams to develop project plans aligned to contracted deliverables and provide guidance, direction, and issue resolution.
• Identify and manage cross-functional programs involving multiple Ensono departments and client teams, regardless of location.
• Build resource planning and forecasting into program plans and oversee adherence to approved plans.
• Build and manage program P&L models using non-recurring revenue, monthly recurring revenue, capital expenditures, and program costs.
• Analyze revenue, profitability, and the financial performance of major projects; help resolve billing and accounts receivable issues.
• Identify, track, and maintain milestones and deliverables across the overall program and related projects.
• Manage the program delivery cycle by setting clear expectations and ensuring consistent adherence to them.
• Monitor scope and ensure variances or scope creep are documented and managed through change-control processes.
• Act as a change agent and reinforce adherence to change-management protocols.
• Lead status meetings covering deliverables, priorities, issues, risks, and outstanding concerns.
• Produce and maintain monthly and quarterly reporting on deliverable status and program performance.
• Coordinate monthly and quarterly stakeholder meetings between the client and Ensono.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities within existing client programs.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in technology consulting, program management, or enterprise IT delivery.
• Deep understanding of mainframe technologies and operations (z/OS, scheduling tools, tape management, etc.).
• Proven experience leading large-scale optimization or transformation programs.
• Strong background in client engagement, solutioning, and pre-sales support.
• Proficiency with project and program management tools (Jira, Asana, MS Project, Smartsheet).
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (PMP or Agile certification is a plus).

Requirements

• Experience in managed services or hybrid IT environments.
• Strategic thinker with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, dynamic environments.
• Skilled at building trust and long-term relationships with clients.
• Familiarity with cloud integration and modernization strategies for legacy systems.
• PMP certification.
• Familiarity with the operational aspects of delivering complex hosting and IP services.
• A combination of consulting and operational experience.

Benefits

• Unlimited Paid Days Off
• Three health plan options
• 401k with company match
• Eligibility for dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life and AD&D coverage, and flexible spending accounts
• Family Forming Benefit including fertility coverage and adoption/surrogacy reimbursement
• Paid childbearing and paternal leave
• Education Reimbursement, Student Loan Assistance or 529 College Funding
• Sabbatical leave
• Wellness program
• Flexible work schedule