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Job Title: IWA Lead Scheduler

Job Location- Hybrid- Chicago, Illinois, USA

The IWA Lead Scheduler is responsible for managing, developing, and optimizing enterprise job scheduling activities using IBM Workload Automation (IWA/IWS/TWS). This role ensures smooth operations, governance compliance, incident resolution, and delivery of scheduling enhancements across various applications and business units. The ideal candidate has strong technical expertise in scheduling tools, excellent stakeholder coordination skills, and the ability to guide teams through complex scheduling requirements and issues.

In this role, you will

1. Scheduling & Automation

+ Design, build, and schedule new jobs using IWA / IWS / TWS scheduling tools.

+ Automate processes and implement permanent scheduling fixes to eliminate manual interventions.

+ Track and maintain job configurations in the IWA development region and support implementation into higher environments.

+ Participate in migration and maintenance activities related to scheduling infrastructure.

2. Requirements Management & Stakeholder Collaboration

+ Gather, analyze, and implement scheduling requirement changes from application teams or clients.

+ Collaborate closely with Application Owners, Operations, Development, and Technology teams to ensure seamless delivery.

+ Provide clear explanations of scheduling impacts from both client and developer perspectives.

3. Testing & Quality Assurance

+ Coordinate with testing teams to diagnose and resolve defects in development instances.

+ Ensure thorough end-to-end validation of newly scheduled jobs and changes.

+ Assist monitoring teams with complex queries or technical scenarios.

4. Incident, Request & Ticket Management

+ Handle IWA/IWS/TWS-related incidents and ensure timely resolution within defined SLAs.

+ Monitor progress of service requests, tasks, and incidents; ensure on-time delivery to customers.

+ Reduce backlog of tickets by driving ownership and ensuring proactive follow-ups.

+ Review RCA (Root Cause Analysis) documents to confirm meaningful, measurable, and trackable outcomes.

+ Ensure RCA action items are followed through and implemented within committed timelines.

5. Governance, Compliance & Reporting

+ Maintain strict adherence to SOX, security risks, and audit guidelines for all applications in scope.

+ Track, review, and report ticket progress, ensuring compliance with CPIs and KPIs.

+ Provide traceable milestone-based ETAs to customers and build project plans when necessary.

6. Vendor & Technical Support Coordination

+ Collaborate with IBM support teams to resolve tool bugs, version issues, and technical blockages.

+ Stay updated on enhancements or changes in IWA/IWS/TWS versions and coordinate required internal actions.

7. Leadership & Guidance

+ Guide development team associates in resolving IWA/IWS/TWS-related technical issues and POC challenges.

+ Offer support on new project activities that align with the roadmap.

+ Respond promptly to emails, communication requests, and calls from project members.

What you’ll need to succeed (required skills)

• Strong hands-on experience with IWA / IWS / TWS scheduling tools.

• Solid understanding of job scheduling concepts, automation principles, and batch processing.

• Experience troubleshooting scheduling defects, incidents, and cross-environment issues.

• Ability to interpret application requirements and translate them into efficient scheduling solutions.

• Strong coordination, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

• Familiarity with ITIL processes (Incidents, Requests, Problem, Change).

• Experience working with monitoring teams, infrastructure teams, and third-party vendors (e.g., IBM Support).

• Working knowledge of compliance frameworks such as SOX and standard security controls.

Preferred skills: what will help you stand out

• Experience leading scheduling initiatives or acting as the primary point of contact for workload automation.

• Proficiency in analyzing RCAs and driving permanent corrective actions.

• Exposure to cloud-integrated scheduling environments (optional).

• Familiarity with scripting languages used in automation (Shell, Python, etc.) is a plus.

Salary and Other Compensation:

The annual salary for this position is between $ 114,000 to $130,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

**Benefits:** Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

+ Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

+ Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off

+ 401(k) plan and contributions

+ Long-term/Short-term Disability

+ Paid Parental Leave

+ Employee Stock Purchase Plan

At Cognizant, we're eager to meet people who believe in our mission and can make an impact in various ways. We strongly encourage you to apply even if you only meet the required skills listed. Consider what transferrable experience and skills make you a unique applicant and help us see how you'd be beneficial to this role.

Cognizant will only consider applicants for this position who are legally authorized to work in USA without requiring employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.

Work model:

At Cognizant, we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible, and we are here to support a healthy work-life balance though our various wellbeing programs. Based on this role’s business requirements, **this is a hybrid position requiring 3 days a week at the client site in Chicago, Illinois, USA.**

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don't hesitate to apply, even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed. Think about your transferable experiences and unique skills that make you stand out as someone who can bring new and exciting things to this role.

**Disclaimer:** The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

•Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.”

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.