About the role
Role Overview We are seeking an experienced Senior Program Manager to lead a complex mainframe modernization and rewrite initiative through planning, execution, testing, migration, and production go-live. This individual will be responsible for managing a large, cross-functional program involving mainframe applications, technology modernization, data migration, integration, testing, business readiness, and cutover. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record leading mainframe rewrite or modernization programs from inception through successful production deployment, with particular strength in managing the final stages of implementation, cutover, and go-live. Key Responsibilities
* Lead the end-to-end program delivery for a major mainframe rewrite/modernization initiative, including planning, execution, migration, cutover, and production go-live. * Develop and maintain an integrated program plan covering technology, application development, data migration, testing, infrastructure, security, operations, and business readiness. * Drive the program toward key milestones, ensuring scope, schedule, budget, risks, dependencies, and resources are effectively managed. * Lead cross-functional teams consisting of application developers, mainframe engineers, architects, infrastructure teams, QA, data teams, business stakeholders, vendors, and production support. * Establish and manage the go-live and cutover strategy, including detailed runbooks, sequencing, dependencies, rollback plans, command-center procedures, and contingency planning. * Coordinate multiple testing phases, including system integration testing, regression testing, performance testing, user acceptance testing, and production validation. * Oversee data conversion and migration activities and ensure reconciliation and validation requirements are met prior to go-live. * Manage production readiness assessments and ensure all technical, operational, business, and support requirements are completed before deployment. * Lead go/no-go decision meetings and provide executive leadership with clear status, risks, recommendations, and readiness assessments. * Coordinate the go-live command center, managing issues, escalations, decision-making, and communications throughout the deployment. * Ensure post-go-live stabilization, defect resolution, production monitoring, and transition to business-as-usual support. * Proactively identify and manage critical program risks, issues, assumptions, dependencies, and interdependencies. * Manage third-party vendors and technology partners supporting the modernization effort. * Prepare executive-level status reporting, dashboards, steering committee materials, and program communications. * Drive accountability across workstreams and ensure teams meet committed deliverables and milestones. * Ensure appropriate governance, change management, documentation, and operational handoff processes are in place.
Required Qualifications/Skills * Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field (Master's degree preferred). * 10+ years of experience in program/project management within large-scale technology environments. * Demonstrated experience leading mainframe modernization, mainframe rewrite, migration, or transformation programs. * Proven experience taking a major technology program through testing, cutover, production deployment, and go-live. * Strong understanding of mainframe environments and technologies such as COBOL, JCL, DB2, CICS, VSAM, and batch processing. * Experience coordinating application rewrites, platform migrations, data conversion, and system integrations. * Strong understanding of SDLC, testing methodologies, release management, and production implementation processes. * Demonstrated experience developing and executing detailed cutover/go-live plans and production readiness assessments. * Excellent risk, issue, dependency, and stakeholder management skills. * Experience working with senior executives and steering committees. * Strong communication, leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills. * Ability to manage multiple workstreams and competing priorities within a highly complex environment.
Preferred Qualifications * Experience with large-scale financial services, healthcare, insurance, or other highly regulated environments. * Experience leading programs involving legacy-to-modern technology transformations. * Experience with cloud migration or integration of modern platforms with legacy mainframe environments. * PMP, PgMP, or similar program/project management certification. * Experience managing large vendor teams and system integrators. * Experience leading high-pressure production cutovers and post-go-live stabilization.
Locations: Pittsburgh, PA
About Techstra Solutions Techstra Solutions is a certified woman-owned (WBENC) management consulting firm specializing in strategy, technology, and implementation services for large organizations undergoing digital and talent transformation. Our experienced team partners with clients to co-create innovative solutions in applications, data, AI, and automation that accelerate measurable, sustainable change. From advisory consulting through technical execution, we are dedicated to driving world-class business solutions that fit your strategic requirements and deliver results. For more information: www.techstrasolutions.com