Practice Lead Ztech

A positive future for all – that’s what we at Sopra Steria work towards. With over 56.000 colleagues in 30 countries, we are Europe’s leading digital solutions provider. We believe it’s not only technology that powers transformation. It’s people who are at the core of change. That’s why it’s people that are at the heart of everything we do, excelling both independently and in a team.

The world is how we shape it. Let’s shape it together.

As a Practice Lead, you will drive impactful change and deliver measurable results together with the leadership team of the Software Development Microsoft & IBM area.

You lead a team of IBM & Cobol professionals by inspiring and facilitating them. This way you take responsibility and deliver value to customers and your practice of approximately 15-30 employees. As a Practice Lead you are responsible for the growth and development of your practice and therefore for attracting both talent and experienced professionals. For them you are an inspiring conversation partner. You take them further in their career and help them to continually become an improved version of themselves.

As a Practice lead, you help build a culture of collaboration with colleagues, customers and partners, within and outside Sopra Steria. This culture is in line with the ambition to work as a network organization, an ecosystem, in which experts work together to achieve the best solutions.

You are a key player in commercial projects, from the initial opportunity till shaping and delivering a matching solution to a satisfied customer.  

Within the Software Development Microsoft & IBM area, we help our customers with our knowledge and expertise in the field of Azure Cloud, IT architecture and the latest trends based on Microsoft and IBM Cobol technology to become and remain Future-Fit in the IT field. In addition to advising, this also means developing and managing the application landscape within the entire digital transformation of our customers. We act as 'specialist implementers' when it comes to our ambition to become 'business partners' of our customers, always in close collaboration with other Areas within Sopra Steria.

The area consists of 4 practices, namely MTech: Microsoft technology, Microsoft Teams & Power App Innovation, Microsoft Application Lifecycle Management and ZTech/IBM Cobol Technology. We are looking for a Practice Lead for the ZTech/IBM Cobol technology practice with around 50 professionals.

The ZTech practicey helps our customers by using our IBM, Micro Focus and HPNS Cobol expertise in business critical applications through the use of Teams, Managed Services and Co-Sourcing. This practice further develops the Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) solution. We help our customers with challenges in the areas of continuity (knowledge retention), stability (24/7) and modernization. We focus on development, operations, consultancy and software architecture.

The more than 50 professionals in this practice fulfill the roles of: Cobol DEV, OPS and DevOps engineers, Cobol Software architects and Mainframe application designers/analysts. They work with passion for the profession, each with his/her own area of expertise. A dynamic team where sharing knowledge and insights is a great asset.

As a Practice Lead you have full insight into your practice and a clear drive to propose the best solutions to our customers together with your team. You have a vision of the market and use this to generate business, create solutions and thereby shape (HP) teams, services and projects.

• As a Practice Lead you manage professionals. You know how to retain these professionals and include them in client assignments and teams. You create commitment and inspire your team to continue developing or retraining
• As an empathetic manager, you are able to care for the well-being of your professionals and find a suitable assignment that matches the ambitions and development path of the professional
• You have a vision on Application Lifecycle Management (application, construction and management) based on IBM & Cobol technology, thus providing direction and following the latest trends & developments based on your passion for the profession
• As a reliable partner for the customer, you build teams that can meet expectations and create the environment necessary for this
• From an entrepreneurship perspective, you see opportunities and you have the right skills to lead quotation processes. You take ownership and work with the team to deliver what has been promised
• You are a good discussion partner for customers at various levels, including management (IT manager/lead) and board level (CIO/CTO)
• You recognize the importance of a relevant network within the IBM & Cobol Communities (e.g. GSE) and are able to expand this and thus further shape Sopra Steria's partnership
• As part of the leadership team of Software Development Microsoft & IBM, you contribute to the strategy and execution of building a portfolio of innovative solutions that help our customers accelerate.

Furthermore:

• A relevant hbo or university education
• At least 3 years of experience in managing a team of professionals and facilitating the development of your team members
• Sufficient knowledge of the IBM & Cobol portfolio and development technology, including HP Non-Stop, IBM Mainframe and Micro Focus, to spar with customers and colleagues, to advise and to provide direction to innovations
• A team player, focused on (internal and external) collaboration and professional growth
• Leadership aimed at inspiring, motivating and involving your team and your customers
• A track record in acquiring and delivering (HP) teams, services and solutions for customers and delivering on what you promise (delivery ownership)
• Customer focus, enthusiasm, creativity and entrepreneurship
• Dutch language proficiency
   

You’ll become a part of a major Tech player in Europe recognised for its consulting, digital services and software development. On top of that, you’ll join a team that consists of more than 130 specialists, active in multiple Practices. When you join us, there is plenty of room for your ideas, your development, your personality and your craftsmanship.

Sharing knowledge with each other, continuing to learn and having fun together are important parts of how we work as a team. During our team meetings, fellow specialists share knowledge about their field, such as Applications, Infrastructure (as Code), Data & AI and Security. Our Inspirator program will teach you how to transfer your knowledge to colleagues and customers.

We regularly organize events and meet-ups where you gain new knowledge, share experiences and think about the growth of our Practice. We believe that enthusiasm and a willingness to learn are just as important as experience. So do you already have some experience and would you like to develop further? Then we will make a plan together with you to become an expert in your field.

And of course we organize and visit conferences such as Techorama NL/BE, FutureTech, TeqNation, Azure Lowlands, Azure Fest (the last edition was hosted by Sopra Steria) and DevNetNoord. As a team, we enjoy fun outings to, for example, the Efteling or the Ardennes.

Do you picture yourself in a fast-growing, vibrant team at the cutting edge of software implementation? Does working with international clients across multiple industries sound exciting? Then you’re in the right place.

We offer a generous employee benefits package that includes:

• Flexible working hours and the possibility to work hybrid (at the customer's premises, in the office and from home)
• A training plan, so that you can obtain your certifications
• Regular inspiration sessions such as a monthly follow-up day at the office with presentations, workshops and a pleasant lunch or dinner
• A lease car or mobility budget
• A furnished home office, laptop and telephone, non-contributory pension, internet and home working allowance and collective health insurance

We work in small informal teams in an environment where there is room for socializing, humor and team outings.

Would you like to use your skills at a company that is developing just as much as you are? For more information please contact Désirée Hardijzer, Talent Acquisition Lead (desiree.hardijzer@soprasteria.com) or apply via our website.

We look forward to meeting you!

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Sopra Steria is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, ancestry, nationality, color, family or medical leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. We foster a work environment that is inclusive and respectful of all differences.