Mainframe System Administrator

THE OPPORTUNITY

Dillard’s is seeking an ambitious, seasoned Mainframe System Administrator to join our team! The mainframe is the heartbeat of Dillard's, and we need someone who can make valuable contributions to maintaining and improving it. This is a rare opportunity to expand your expertise and share your knowledge while learning new things in the process.

THE TEAM

You’ll be joining our Mainframe System and Storage Administration Team, the backbone of Dillard’s corporate mainframe infrastructure. We support a dynamic, fast-paced environment focused on system performance, security, reliability, and continuous improvement.

We pride ourselves on mutual respect, a strong work ethic, and a true team spirit — we’re always ready to jump in and help one another. Success here means being self-motivated, a natural problem-solver, passionate about knowledge-sharing, and committed to operating with the highest integrity.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Administer and maintain z/OS systems to ensure optimal performance


• Support and manage core z/OS utilities including TSO, ISPF, IDCAMS, IEFBR14, SMPE, HCD, and GDPS


• Collaborate with developers to troubleshoot Batch and CICS COBOL issues


• Diagnose and resolve JCL, JES2, VSAM, TSO, VTAM, TCP/IP, and RACF-related problems


• Partner with our online security team to ensure system safety and compliance


• Maintain and enhance system parameters and parmlib settings


• Work with Operations to proactively monitor, maintain, and IPL systems for better reliability and consistency


• Develop, test, and execute disaster recovery strategies


• Harden security and remediate vulnerabilities across supported infrastructure


• Participate in an on-call rotation to keep systems running 24/7

THE MUST HAVES

• 5+ years of mainframe experience


• Solid experience with most of the following: RACF, SMPE, VTAM, REXX, System Exits, WLM, zSecure, NetView, AT-TLS, SyncSort MFX, IBM Assembler


• Strong verbal and written communication skills — with a positive, team-first attitude


• Ability to work under pressure, quickly learn new concepts, and thrive in a dynamic environment


• Talent for managing a busy project list while handling unexpected challenges smoothly


• Availability to work onsite at our Corporate Office in Little Rock, AR


• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship

THE NICE TO HAVES

• Interest in learning Z Storage


• Experience with IBM Safeguarded Copy, Cyber Vault, COBOL, and Splunk

WITHIN 1 MONTH, YOU’LL

• Build a strong, high-level understanding of Dillard’s mainframe environment


• Connect and collaborate with key areas across IT to resolve access issues and navigate key systems (with team support)


• Meet regularly with your team lead to ask questions, fill knowledge gaps, and get familiar with the team culture

WITHIN 2 MONTHS, YOU’LL

• Partner with teammates to fully document at least one product, preparing to serve as secondary support


• Develop an understanding of our daily communications and escalation emails, and ask great questions to build deeper knowledge

WITHIN 3 MONTHS, YOU’LL

• Begin making small system changes independently


• Step up as primary support for at least one product


• Use basic Splunk queries to glean insights from system operations


• Start participating in the on-call rotation with the team’s full support and guidance