Manager, IT – Canada Mainframe Applications at Thermo Fisher Scientific

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Life Sciences, BiotechnologyIndustries

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
Advanced degree (e.g., MBA or Master’s in IT Management) is a plus, particularly if combined with technical leadership experience
Experience managing or supporting mainframe applications in a complex, regulated environment (Life Sciences, Healthcare, or similar industries preferred)
Solid technical background with mainframe technologies such as COBOL, JCL, CICS, and VSAM
Previous experience as a developer, system analyst, or technical lead in a mainframe environment
Familiarity with modernization strategies or integrating legacy systems with digital platforms
Experience supporting global teams or cross-border IT operations
Curiosity and Improvement: Stay updated with new technologies, especially in mainframe and legacy modernization
Communication: Adapt communication style for different audiences, from technical teams to non-technical collaborators
Multifunctional Navigation: Balance the needs of IT, business partners, and compliance teams while aligning mainframe initiatives with broader goals
Leadership: Lead critical systems with a strong understanding of legacy mainframe environments and their integration with modern platforms
Agile Delivery: Use agile or iterative methods to plan and deliver mainframe enhancements, even within traditional development cycles
Team Collaboration: Encourage collaboration with positive energy and problem-solving approach

Responsibilities

Lead the enhancement, stability, and long-term maintainability of Canadian mainframe applications through continuous improvement and modernization
Translate business needs into a clear roadmap of technical enhancements, using data and stakeholder feedback to guide prioritization
Collaborate with development and cross-functional teams to ensure solutions are well-understood, scalable, and aligned with business objectives
Monitor and analyze system performance metrics, proactively addressing issues to minimize downtime and maintain reliability
Apply a structured approach to resolving compliance gaps, system inefficiencies, and legacy technical debt
Encourage detailed documentation and change control to maintain audit preparedness and ensure business continuity
Discover opportunities to streamline workflows through automation and phased modernization, reducing manual effort and risk
Communicate clearly with partners to manage expectations, report progress, and align technical delivery with organizational goals

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

MainframeSystem ModernizationRegulatory CompliancePerformance MonitoringAutomationChange ManagementTechnical RoadmapStakeholder CollaborationDocumentationIT Leadership

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the work schedule for this position?

The role is full-time with standard office hours of 40 hours per week in an office environment.

What education is required for this role?

A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience is required; an advanced degree like an MBA or Master’s in IT Management is a plus.

What key skills and experiences are needed for this manager position?

Key skills include leadership in legacy mainframe environments, agile delivery methods, strong communication adapted to different audiences, team collaboration, and experience in regulated industries like Life Sciences.

What does a typical day look like in this role?

A typical day involves leading enhancements and modernization of mainframe applications, translating business needs into technical roadmaps, collaborating with teams, monitoring performance, resolving compliance issues, and communicating progress to stakeholders.

What makes a strong candidate for this IT Manager role?

Strong candidates have experience managing mainframe applications in regulated environments like Life Sciences, technical leadership in legacy systems and modernization, agile delivery skills, and the ability to collaborate across multifunctional teams.

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Provides life sciences products and services

About Thermo Fisher Scientific

Thermo Fisher Scientific offers a variety of products and services that support scientific research and healthcare, including laboratory equipment, reagents, and software solutions. Their products are used in applications like protein biology, real-time PCR, and sequencing, serving clients such as academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies. Unlike competitors, Thermo Fisher emphasizes customer support and education, helping clients optimize their experiments. The company's goal is to be a leading provider of life sciences solutions that contribute to a healthier and safer world.

Waltham, MassachusettsHeadquarters

1956Year Founded

$17MTotal Funding

IPOCompany Stage

Biotechnology, HealthcareIndustries

10,001+Employees

Risks

Increased competition in single-use bioprocessing may impact market share.

Sale of anatomical pathology business could create a temporary product gap.

Investment in miDiagnostics may face regulatory challenges affecting returns.

Differentiation

Thermo Fisher offers a comprehensive range of life sciences products and services.

Their well-known brands include Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, and Invitrogen.

They provide strong customer support and educational resources to optimize client workflows.

Upsides

Expansion of biologics production facility enhances capacity for precision biologics monitoring.

Investment in miDiagnostics aligns with demand for rapid diagnostic solutions in BioPharma.

Collaboration with Mainz Biomed positions them in the growing cancer detection market.

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