Mainframe Storage Administrator (z/OS) | Contract 6 - 36 Months
Location: Remote (UK-Based Client)
Day Rate: £450 - £500 (Inside IR35)
Contract Length: 6 Months Initial (Project roadmap explicitly extendable up to 36 months)
Start Date: ASAP
The Opportunity: Long-Term Enterprise Stability
For mainframe infrastructure professionals, true contract longevity and remote flexibility can be hard to find in a single package. This program delivers both.
We are partnering directly with a major technology delivery consultancy to scale an elite operational squad supporting one of the largest enterprise mainframe environments in the UK. We are seeking experienced Mainframe Storage Administrators to take ownership of day-to-day operational management, ensuring flawless data availability, integrity, capacity, and service continuity across critical z/OS platforms.
This program bypasses standard unstable contracting cycles, offering an initial 6-month term with a clear runway for rolling extensions up to 3 years.
Key Responsibilities:
In this operations-focused role, you will manage, monitor, and optimize the enterprise mainframe storage estate to meet strict contractual service levels:
* Storage Operations: Administer and maintain the enterprise storage environment, managing storage pools, allocating/initializing DASD volumes, and configuring systems like IBM
* DS8K.Backup & Disaster Recovery: Execute business-critical backup and restore operations, maintain catalog integrity, and actively support DR operations (including failover execution and DR testing).
* Monitoring & Optimization: Track storage subsystem utilization, resolve capacity constraints, manage performance risks, and provide data-driven recommendations for proactive capacity planning.
* SAN & Connectivity: Oversee the operational management and availability of mainframe-to-storage connectivity, including FICON/SAN switching environments.
* Incident & Change Support: Respond swiftly to storage-related incidents, perform root cause analysis, and safely implement approved infrastructure changes with minimal impact on live operations.
Essential Requirements:
* Proven hands-on track record in mainframe storage operations within a live z/OS environment.
* Deep expertise in storage capacity management, volume allocation (DASD), and data integrity controls.
* Comprehensive experience executing and managing complex backup, recovery, and catalog maintenance processes.
* Strong background working within structured, operational Business-As-Usual (BAU) service environments.
Desirable:
* AssetsDirect experience with enterprise storage hardware platforms (e.g., IBM DS8K) and SAN/FICON connectivity.
* Familiarity with disaster recovery orchestration and replication tools (e.g., GDPS or equivalent).
* Experience operating within strictly regulated, contractual service delivery frameworks.
Why Apply Through This Program?
Joining this environment via a structured delivery partner gives you a distinct advantage. Instead of operating as an isolated contractor navigating corporate bureaucracy alone, you are embedded within a coordinated, highly visible infrastructure unit. This model ensures faster onboarding, streamlined compliance processing, and exceptional project continuity over a multi-year roadmap.