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Cobol Manager Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

RICEFW Technologies,Inc

mainframe analyst

Ames, IA

... Cobol, JCL, TSO and Job Track. Candidate will be required to create documentation and present to project teams and management Additional Information Required / Deisred Skills: Ability to navigate ...

RICEFW Technologies,Inc

mainframe analyst

Ames, IA · On-site

... understand Cobol, JCL, TSO and Job Track. Candidate will be required to create documentation and present to project teams and management Qualifications Additional Information Required / Deisred ...

Accenture

Mainframe Specialist

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$70K - $196K/yr

COBOL, JCL, VSAM, CICS, DB2, Assembler, REXX, SPUFI, TSO/ISPF, or RACF. * Minimum 3+ years leading ... Certifications in mainframe technologies (e.g., IBM Certified) and project management (e.g., PMP ...

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Cobol Manager information

Does Cobol Manager pay well?

Cobol Managers typically earn competitive salaries due to the specialized nature of COBOL programming and management skills. Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry, with many roles offering higher pay for expertise in legacy systems and mainframe environments.

What is a Cobol manager?

COBOL Managers are professionals responsible for overseeing teams that develop, maintain, and support applications written in the COBOL programming language. They manage project timelines, allocate resources, and ensure that legacy systems remain efficient and aligned with business goals. In addition to technical expertise in COBOL, they often coordinate between IT staff and business stakeholders to implement updates or resolve system issues. Their role is crucial in industries such as banking, insurance, and government, where COBOL systems remain integral to core operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Cobol manager?

To thrive as a Cobol Manager, you need deep expertise in COBOL programming, legacy systems management, and experience overseeing software development projects, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with mainframe environments like IBM z/OS, project management tools, and certifications such as PMP or ITIL are commonly required. Leadership, problem-solving, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for managing teams and coordinating with stakeholders. These skills ensure seamless maintenance and modernization of critical legacy systems that many organizations still rely on for core business operations.

Are Cobol Manager jobs still in demand?

Cobol Manager jobs remain in demand in industries such as banking and finance, where legacy systems still rely on COBOL. These roles often require expertise in mainframe environments, and demand persists due to the ongoing need for system maintenance and modernization projects.

What is the difference between Cobol Manager vs Cobol Developer?

AspectCobol ManagerCobol Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field; management experienceBachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field; coding skills
Work EnvironmentOversees teams, manages projects, coordinates with stakeholdersWrites, tests, and maintains COBOL code; works primarily in development teams
Employer & Industry UsageFinancial institutions, government agencies, large corporationsFinancial services, insurance, legacy system maintenance

The main difference between a Cobol Manager and a Cobol Developer lies in their roles. The Cobol Manager oversees development teams, manages projects, and coordinates efforts, while the Cobol Developer focuses on writing and maintaining COBOL code. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but their responsibilities and daily tasks differ significantly.

What are some common challenges faced by a Cobol manager when leading teams working with legacy systems?

As a Cobol Manager, you'll often encounter the challenge of maintaining and modernizing legacy systems while balancing resource constraints and business needs. Many Cobol teams work with aging codebases that require specialized knowledge, making talent retention and upskilling critical concerns. Additionally, facilitating communication between Cobol developers and other IT or business units can be complex, as legacy systems must frequently integrate with newer technologies. Success in this role often depends on strong leadership, effective cross-functional collaboration, and a proactive approach to documentation and knowledge transfer.

What are the most commonly searched types of Cobol jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Cobol jobs in Iowa are:

What are popular job titles related to Cobol Manager jobs in Iowa?

For Cobol Manager jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Cobol Manager jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Cobol Manager jobs in Iowa are:

Cobol Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cobol Manager job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution.

COBOL Developer

Marshall Technologies

Des Moines, IA • On-site

$49 - $66.25/hr

Contractor

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Job Title: COBOL Developer

Location: Des Moines, IA (Onsite)
Duration: 12+ Months
Type: Contract (W2/C2C)

Job Overview:

We are seeking a seasoned COBOL Developer with 6+ years of experience in mainframe application development and support. The ideal candidate should have strong expertise in COBOL, JCL, DB2, and related legacy technologies. This role involves working closely with business analysts, QA teams, and other developers to maintain, enhance, and support critical business applications.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Design, develop, test, implement, and support mainframe-based applications using COBOL, JCL, DB2, VSAM, and CICS.

  • Translate application storyboards and use cases into functional programs.

  • Analyze business and functional requirements and convert them into scalable technical solutions.

  • Participate in the full software development life cycle including requirements gathering, design, development, testing, and implementation.

  • Troubleshoot and resolve issues in production and development environments.

  • Write clean, efficient, reusable, and well-documented code.

  • Perform performance tuning, code optimization, and debugging.

  • Participate in code reviews, testing activities, and contribute to automation and best practices.

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure quality and timely delivery of solutions.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

  • 6+ years of hands-on experience in COBOL, JCL, DB2, VSAM, and CICS.

  • Experience with mainframe job scheduling and change management tools (e.g., Endevor).

  • Strong knowledge of SQL, data structures, and relational database principles.

  • Experience in reporting/analytics using mainframe tools and processes.

  • Solid understanding of scalable application design principles and software engineering best practices.

  • Familiarity with ServiceNow, Eclipse, DB Visualizer, or Microsoft SQL Server is a plus.

  • Excellent problem-solving and debugging skills.

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Attributes:

  • Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.

  • Strong organizational and documentation skills.

  • Experience in production support and handling critical business applications.

Tools & Technologies:

  • Languages: COBOL, JCL, SQL

  • Databases: DB2, VSAM

  • Transaction Processing: CICS

  • Version Control & Change Management: Endevor

  • Tools/Software: ServiceNow, Eclipse, DB Visualizer, MS SQL Server