Implementation Manager - Mainframe Product Migration

Role purpose: Plan, coordinate, and execute the end-to-end implementation of a Mainframe Product Migration into production, ensuring a controlled, compliant, and low-risk cutover. Own the integrated deployment/cutover plan, readiness, and go/no-go governance across technology, operations, business, and third parties., * Create and maintain the integrated implementation (deployment/cutover) strategy and plan covering scope, approach (big bang/phased), timeline, dependencies, and critical path.

• Lead cutover planning: detailed runbooks, rehearsal plans, roles/responsibilities, communications, checkpoints, and contingency/rollback.
• Coordinate release and change management activities (CAB submissions, implementation approvals, change records, stakeholder signoffs).
• Drive environment and operational readiness: capacity, access, monitoring, scheduling/batch windows, support model, service transition.
• Manage data migration implementation activities with clear sequencing, validation steps, reconciliation, and operational controls.
• Orchestrate dress rehearsals / mock cutovers, capture lessons learned and harden runbooks.
• Lead implementation governance: readiness reviews, RAID management, decision logs, and executive reporting.
• Coordinate hyper care/post-go-live: incident triage, defect backlog prioritisation, stabilisation metrics, and handover to BAU.
• Ensure alignment with risk/compliance/audit requirements (evidence packs, approvals, segregation of duties where required).
• Manage third parties/vendors involved in deployment (e.g., infrastructure, platform, data, app support, schedulers).

Deliverables (typical)

• Implementation strategy and Integrated Cutover Plan
• Detailed cutover runbooks (minute-by-minute where needed)
• Rehearsal plans and rehearsal outcomes/actions log
• Change/CAB artefacts and approval pack
• Readiness criteria, go/no-go checklist, and decision log
• Hypercare plan, support model, and BAU handover pack
• Implementation closure report and lessons learned

• Proven Implementation/Cutover/Deployment Management on mainframe or large-scale legacy migrations.
• Strong understanding of z/OS production operations constraints: batch cycles (JCL), scheduling (e.g., Control-M/CA-7), DB2/IMS considerations, CICS regions, interface dependencies, and resilience/DR practices.
• Experience running dress rehearsals, coordinating cross-team cutovers, and leading go/no-go forums.
• Working knowledge of ITIL-aligned change, release, and incident management in regulated environments.

Key skills & behaviours

• Excellent planning and dependency management; strong “get it done” execution bias.
• Clear, calm leadership during high-pressure cutover windows.
• Strong stakeholder management across technology, operations, business, risk/compliance, and suppliers.
• Crisp written communication: executive updates, RAID, and runbook clarity.

Tools/skills

• Planning: MS Project/Smartsheet/Jira/Confluence
• Change/ITSM: ServiceNow (or equivalent)
• Reporting: Excel

Our people are the most critical component of our long-term success and their health and wellbeing are our priority. You will enjoy a comprehensive, locally competitive benefits package.

NTT DATA is a $30 billion business and technology services leader, serving 75% of the Fortune Global 100. We are committed to accelerating client success and positively impacting society through responsible innovation. We are one of the world’s leading AI and digital infrastructure providers, with unmatched capabilities in enterprise-scale AI, cloud, security, connectivity, data centers and application services. our consulting and Industry solutions help organizations and society move confidently and sustainably into the digital future. As a Global Top Employer, we have experts in more than 50 countries. We also offer clients access to a robust ecosystem of innovation centers as well as established and start-up partners. NTT DATA is a part of NTT Group, which invests over $3 billion each year in R&D.