Senior Identity & Access Engineer

Manchester Metropolitan University; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Manchester Metropolitan University is seeking an experienced Identity and Access Management (IDAM) specialist to take technical leadership on crucial workstreams. You will translate business and technical requirements into secure, scalable identity designs and guide delivery of KPI-driven IDAM work packages within major projects.

You will work across IDP and IGA services, enhancing security, resilience and the user lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge and practical experience of IDAM tools and principles including SSO, federation, MFA, OpenLDAP, Shibboleth and AD.
• Experience leading technical design on security and identity projects.
• Ability to translate requirements into secure, scalable identity solutions.
• Strong collaboration with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead IDAM design activities and technical work packages for strategic projects and improvements.
• Develop secure, scalable designs translating requirements into identity solutions.
• Contribute to IDAM services, strengthening security and resilience.
• Promote technical patterns and RBAC policies aligned with security best practices.
• Review identity lifecycle processes to support a secure user experience.
• Plan end-to-end test plans and document technical details clearly.
• Monitor identity infrastructure and communicate risks and issues early.
• Engage stakeholders and owners, manage expectations and progress updates.
• Support incident, change and problem management within ITIL frameworks.

Skills

IDAM expertise

Security fundamentals

RBAC

PAM

Incident management

Stakeholder management

Tools

OpenLDAP

Shibboleth

Active Directory

SSO

Job description

Shape secure, seamless digital access across a modern university!

As IT&D, we help to create the University of the future by co-designing new ways of working, enhancing productivity, reducing complexity, supporting innovation, and providing the insights to drive continual improvement. Embracing a digital future in an evolving modern university, you will be working in partnership with our academic and Professional Services colleagues to deliver digital services that help the University achieve its strategic objectives in teaching and research, nationally & globally.

To know more about our Directorate of IT&D, click here IT and Digital opportunities at Manchester Met | Manchester Metropolitan University (cannot embed link: IT and Digital opportunities at Manchester Met | Manchester Metropolitan University)

About the Department

Within IT & Digital, Infrastructure & Operations supports the core technology services that underpin the University's digital environment. Identity and Access Management is central to that foundation: it helps ensure the right people can access the right services, at the right time, while protecting University systems and information.

Identity and Access Management is central to that foundation: it helps ensure the right people can access the right services, at the right time, while protecting University systems and information.

About the Team

You’ll report to the Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure Technical Lead and work closely with infrastructure engineers, colleagues across IT & Digital, the Service Management Office, and application business and technical owners. Success depends on sharing expertise, building trusted relationships and bringing people together to solve complex identity challenges.

About the Role

This is an opportunity for an experienced Identity and Access Management (IDAM) specialist to take a technical lead on workstreams that matter. You’ll translate business and technical requirements into secure, scalable designs; guide the delivery of identity-related work packages within strategic projects; and continually improve the services that enable staff and students to work, learn and collaborate.

You’ll work across identity provider and Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) services, helping strengthen security, resilience and the user lifecycle experience. From developing technical standards and role-based access models to testing integrations, monitoring services and managing risks, you’ll combine hands‑on engineering with collaborative technical leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead IDAM design activities and technical work packages for strategic projects and continuous improvement initiatives, taking ownership of plans, deliverables, quality and timescales.
• Develop secure, scalable technical designs that translate University requirements into effective identity solutions and align with enterprise and solution architectures.
• Contribute to identity provider and Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) services, strengthening the security and resilience of University systems.
• Develop and promote technical patterns, standards and guidance, including Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) policies, models and guidelines aligned with University needs and security best practice.
• Review and improve identity and user lifecycle management processes to support a secure, consistent and positive user experience.
• Plan and execute end-to-end test plans and test cases to verify IDAM tools, systems and integrations; maintain clear, appropriate technical documentation.
• Proactively monitor identity infrastructure, maintain service documentation and identify issues before they affect students or staff.
• Build effective relationships with stakeholders and application owners, clarify requirements, manage expectations and communicate progress, risks and issues in a timely way.
• Support service enhancement and ITIL-aligned Incident, Problem and Change Management, working with the Service Management Office to improve service delivery and process integration.
• Horizon‑scan identity and security trends, assess emerging technologies and make informed recommendations to senior colleagues.

Key Skills & Experiences

We’re looking for someone who can combine deep technical knowledge with the confidence to lead complex workstreams and bring stakeholders with them.

• Extensive knowledge and practical experience of IDAM tools and principles, such as single sign-on (SSO), federation, multi‑factor authentication (MFA), OpenLDAP, Shibboleth, Active Directory, identity lifecycle management, authentication and authorisation, RBAC, privileged access management (PAM), risk‑based authentication and access reviews.
• Experience providing technical direction on strategic, large or complex security and/or identity and access management projects.
• A track record of leading technical design activities and taking responsibility for IDAM solutions that are compatible with enterprise and solution architectures.
• Ability to work with technical and non‑technical stakeholders to understand requirements, manage expectations and keep people informed of progress.
• Strong identity and security fundamentals, with a structured approach to design, documentation, testing, risk management and continuous improvement.
• Experience working in a structured IT service management environment, including incident, change and problem management.
• Ability to select and apply appropriate design methods and tools, using plan‑driven or iterative/agile approaches as appropriate.
• A customer‑focused approach, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish productive relationships across diverse teams.

To learn more about this exciting opportunity and benefits we offer, please read the JD and Candidate Pack provided below.

Application & Assessment

• Assessment will include a competency‑based interview round, and interviews will be held in the w/c 23 November.
• For informal enquiries about this vacancy, please contact Ian Rushworth on [e-mail]

Further information

Manchester Metropolitan University fosters an inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We value a diverse workforce for the innovation and diversity of thought it brings and welcome applications from all local and international communities, including Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

We support a range of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and tailored schedules, which can be discussed with your line manager. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in your role, please let us know so we can provide appropriate support.

Our commitment to inclusivity includes mentoring programmes, accessibility resources, and professional development opportunities to empower and support underrepresented groups.

Manchester Met is a Disability Confident Leader and, under this scheme, aims to offer an interview to disabled people who apply for the role and meet the essential criteria as listed in the attached Job Description for that vacancy. This vacancy is expected to attract a high volume of applications. Therefore, under the Disability Confident Scheme, only disabled people who apply under the scheme and best meet the essential criteria will be offered an interview.