Senior Infrastructure Specialist – z Automation

JOB TITLE: Senior Infrastructure Specialist – z Automation

LOCATION(S): Manchester or Leeds

HOURS: Full time - Please note that this role will require you to be on call outside of normal working hours on a rota system.

WORKING PATTERN: Our work style is hybrid, which involves spending at least two days per week, or 40% of our time, at our locations.

About this Opportunity:

We are the Mainframe Automation Team within z Mainframe Services, leading all aspects of the Mainframe Automation estate across the entirety of Lloyds Banking Group. Core responsibilities involve the installation and configuration of IBM System Automation, IBM Z NetView, and GDPS.

The z Mainframe Lab is comprised of over 100 highly skilled and specialised colleagues. The systems we support, underpin almost everything we do at Lloyds Banking Group. This is an outstanding opportunity to work in a dynamic, forward-thinking environment where your contributions will directly impact the success of our banking operations.   

The role of the IBM Automation Infrastructure Specialist involves being the technical authority in this domain, responsible for configuring and maintaining products and services in alignment with Group standards, policies, and agreed service levels. Additionally, contributing to change delivery within the team’s focus, which includes providing 24/7 operational support, is part of the role.

Key responsibilities

• Ensure service stability and optimisation.

• Support and implement changes to our estate within LBG as required.

• Resolution of incidents and problems across the LBG estate in line with LBG SLA’s.

• Provide 24x7 operational support, assisting with change and team workload as required.

• Help drive the strategy and design across the estate.

• Collaborate with key stakeholders to drive and deliver the technology roadmap.

• Enforce standardisation and support continuous improvement initiatives within the team.

• Work effectively with wider Mainframe teams to maintain service stability and ensure seamless transitions of initiatives into live service.

• Apply agile working methods within the Automation Component Team, demonstrating agile principles to boost efficiency and collaboration.

Why Lloyds Banking Group

We’re on an exciting journey to transform our Group and the way we’re shaping finance for good. We’re focusing on the future, investing in our technologies, workplaces, and colleagues to make our Group a great place for everyone. Including you.

What you’ll need

• IBM System Automation for z/OS:

  • Expert in installation, configuration, and advanced customisation.

  • Strong understanding of architecture and key concepts.

  • Proficiency in z/OS operations, automated task management, and using ISPF dialogs.

• IBM NetView for z/OS:

  • Extensive experience installation, configuration, and advanced customisation.

  • Skilled in Message Automation Table and Message Revision Table rule implementation.

  • Expertise in REXX programming, NetView PIPE coding, and EIF event formatting.

• GDPS (Geographically Dispersed Parallel Sysplex):

  • Advanced knowledge of installation, configuration, and customisation.

  • Strong understanding of Metro Mirror, Global Mirror, and LCP topologies.

  • Familiarity with systems management concepts and ability to articulate GDPS concepts.

• SMP/E Skills:

  • Expert in SMP/E environment management, maintenance, and upgrades.

  • Proficiency in using ISPF dialogs, SYSMOD management, and SMP/E data sets.

About working for us

Our focus is to ensure we're inclusive every day, building an organisation that reflects modern society and celebrates diversity in all its forms. We want our people to feel that they belong and can be their best, regardless of background, identity, or culture. We were one of the first major organisations to set goals on diversity in senior roles, create a menopause health package, and a dedicated Working with Cancer initiative. And it’s why we especially welcome applications from under-represented groups. We’re disability confident. So, if you’d like reasonable adjustments to be made to our recruitment processes, just let us know

We also offer a wide-ranging benefits package, which includes

• A generous pension contribution of up to 15%

• An annual performance-related bonus

• Share schemes including free shares.

• Benefits you can adapt to your lifestyle, such as discounted shopping.

• 30 days’ holiday, with bank holidays on top

• A range of wellbeing initiatives and generous parental leave policies

Want to do amazing work, that’s interesting and makes a difference to millions of people? Join our journey.