Lead Identity Specialist

Lead Identity Specialist – Microsoft Entra

Location: Sheffield

Employment Type: Contract

Industry: Identity & Access Management (IAM)

About the Rol

e
We are looking for a highly experienced Lead Identity Specialist (Microsoft Entra) to take ownership of the design, implementation, and governance of enterprise-wide identity services. This is a senior technical leadership role combining deep hands-on expertise with strategic advisory responsibilitie

s.You will act as the organisation’s subject matter expert for Microsoft Entra ID, Conditional Access, Identity Protection, Privileged Identity Management (PIM), CIEM, and Microsoft Defender for Identity (or equivalent tools), while guiding engineering teams, application owners, security architects, and business stakeholder

s.This role is central to shaping and delivering a Zero Trust identity strategy across a complex enterprise and multi-cloud environmen

t.
Key Responsibilit

• iesLead the enterprise architecture, design, and deployment of Microsoft Entra solutions, including Entra ID, Conditional Access, Identity Protection, PIM, CIEM, and Identity Governa
• nceDefine and deliver IAM strategy aligned to Zero Trust princip
• lesAct as the technical authority and SME for identity integration across application, infrastructure, and security te
• amsProvide expert guidance on IAM modernisation, including migration from legacy identity platfo
• rmsOversee application onboarding and ensure secure identity integration patterns across the organisat
• ionDrive adoption of identity threat detection capabilities and identity-based risk management practi
• cesPartner with Security leadership to ensure compliance with regulatory, audit, and governance requireme
• ntsServe as escalation point for critical identity incidents and lead root cause analysis and remediat
• ionDefine IAM technical standards, governance policies, and best practices across multi-cloud environments (Azure, AWS, G
• CP)Collaborate with Microsoft product and engineering teams and provide feedback on roadmap and platform improveme
• ntsMentor and support Level 3 engineers and Technical Account Managers (TA
• Ms)Work closely with Infrastructure, Microsoft 365, and SOC teams to strengthen identity security posture and optimise configurati

ons
Required Skills & Experi

• enceExpert-level experience with Microsoft Entra architecture and implementa
• tionStrong background in hybrid identity, including Active Directory, AD FS, and Azure AD Con
• nectDeep understanding of IAM security controls including Conditional Access, Identity Protection, PIM, CIEM, and Govern
• anceExperience with identity threat detection tools and integration into broader security ecosys
• temsStrong knowledge of authentication protocols including SAML, OAuth, OpenID Connect, Kerberos, and
• LDAPExperience working with AWS IAM and GCP IAM in multi-cloud environm
• entsProven ability to translate technical IAM capabilities into business-aligned strate
• giesStrong understanding of B2B and B2C identity models at enterprise s
• caleExtensive experience managing workforce and non-human identities, including automation in hybrid environm
• entsExperience conducting IAM security assessments and configuration rev
• iewsDemonstrated leadership experience managing senior engineers and technical t
• eamsStrong stakeholder management, communication, and consulting sk

ills
Preferred Qualifica

• tionsMicrosoft certifications such as SC-100, SC-300, AZ-500 (or equiva
• lent)12+ years of experience in Identity & Access Management
• (IAM)Proven experience delivering IAM transformation or legacy migration progr
• ammesExperience presenting IAM strategy and architecture to senior and executive stakeh