At a Glance
- Tasks: Design, implement, and manage GSK’s Directory infrastructure while ensuring security and efficiency.
- Company: Join GSK, a leading global healthcare company dedicated to improving health and well-being.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving innovation in identity and access management with cutting-edge technologies.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in IT or related field; experience in Azure Entra ID and directory services required.
- Other info: Apply by 13th April 2025; showcase your skills in your cover letter and CV.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
We are looking for Directory Services (EntraID/Active Directory (AD) technology) SMEs, with relevant experience, capable of delivering enterprise solutions. Technically, you will be comfortable working using Agile methodologies in a Scrum/SAFe environment, and have proven experience designing, building and managing modern Directory capabilities for Cloud and self-hosted applications. You will be responsible for the design, implementation, and management of GSK’s Directory infrastructure. This role is critical in ensuring the reliability, security, and efficiency of our Directory environment, which supports authentication, authorization, and policy enforcement across the enterprise.
In this role you will:
- Support the design, implementation and management of GSK’s Directory infrastructure.
- Support the product owner and architects in driving improvement in the directory services and broader IAM domain.
- Ensure that GSK's regulatory requirements are met and continuously evolve and improve the underlying processes, strategies, and roadmap of capabilities and offerings by adopting new technologies where beneficial (such as automation, AI/ML, analytics, etc.).
- Ensure the security of active directory by implementing best practices, monitoring for vulnerabilities, and defining detailed plans for resolution.
- Identify and resolve issues related to directory services and provide SME support.
- Have a broad understanding of the interdependencies between IAM systems, the communication protocols used, and connectivity security.
- Work with IT teams and stakeholders to understand requirements and provide technical support.
- Maintain comprehensive documentation of configurations, processes, and protocols.
- Engineer, deploy, operationalize, maintain, and support tools associated with Entra ID.
Qualifications & Skills:
We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:
- Significant experience in identity and access management, with a focus on Azure Entra ID (Azure Active Directory).
- Proven experience in implementing and managing Azure Entra ID solutions.
- Experience of building and deploying web applications through CI/CD pipelines using GitHub Actions or Azure DevOps.
- Understand, articulate and promote least privilege principles, segregation of duties, defence-in-depth, data security in transit/at rest, passwordless and zero trust.
- Experience with hybrid identity solutions, including Entra Connect and on-premises Active Directory integration.
- A strong background in secure design principles, and an understanding of cyber risk and mitigations.
- Experience in Active Directory configuration, management, and troubleshooting.
- Conceptual understanding of cloud secrets management, security, roles and identity types, providing guidance to consumers on integration best practices.
- Proficiency in scripting languages like PowerShell to automate administrative tasks and improve efficiency.
- Exposure to Azure Log Analytics and aggregating events using KQL would be beneficial.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
Soft Skills:
- Strong problem-solving abilities, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
- Stay current with industry trends and advancements in directory technologies.
- Propose and implement improvements to enhance performance, reliability, and security of the environment.
Preferred Qualifications & Skills:
If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus:
- Experience in integrating and synchronizing authoritative data sources into and between directory infrastructure.
- Knowledge of Azure technologies to support edge deployments (Azure Arc, Azure Stack HCI).
- An understanding of tiered security models, lateral movement, privilege escalation and common attack vectors as well as approaches to mitigate and prevent exposure.
- An appreciation of the concepts of Infrastructure as Code, automated deployment and infrastructure configuration management.
- An interest in, and prior research into AI/ML and how this is applicable to the monitoring and detection of anomalous behaviour / inconsistent configuration / attack path identification.
- Knowledge of deploying, managing and monitoring applications in a Cloud environment such as Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud.
- Previously worked in a central IT team within a regulated environment such as the Pharmaceutical or Financial services.
Certifications:
Relevant certifications from Microsoft.
Closing Date for Applications: Sunday 13th April 2025 (COB)
Please take a copy of the Job Description, as this will not be available post closure of the advert. When applying for this role, please use the ‘cover letter’ of the online application or your CV to describe how you meet the competencies for this role, as outlined in the job requirements above. The information that you have provided in your cover letter and CV will be used to assess your application.
Product SME, Directory Services employer: GlaxoSmithKline
Contact Detail:
GlaxoSmithKline Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Product SME, Directory Services
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Agile methodologies, particularly Scrum and SAFe, as this role requires you to work in such environments. Consider joining online forums or local meetups to discuss Agile practices and gain insights from others in the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on the latest trends in identity and access management, especially regarding Azure Entra ID. Follow relevant blogs, attend webinars, and participate in online courses to deepen your understanding and showcase your commitment to continuous learning.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals who are already working in directory services or related fields. Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with them, ask for informational interviews, and learn about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing a role like this.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've implemented security best practices in previous roles. Be ready to explain your approach to managing vulnerabilities and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, as these are critical aspects of the job.
We think you need these skills to ace Product SME, Directory Services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your cover letter to highlight how your experience aligns with the specific requirements of the Product SME role. Focus on your expertise in Azure Entra ID and identity management, and provide examples of how you've successfully implemented similar solutions.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV, emphasise your significant experience in identity and access management, particularly with Azure Entra ID. Include details about your work with CI/CD pipelines, scripting languages like PowerShell, and any relevant certifications from Microsoft.
Showcase Soft Skills: Don't forget to mention your soft skills in both your cover letter and CV. Strong problem-solving abilities and excellent communication skills are crucial for this role, so provide examples of how you've effectively collaborated in a team environment.
Follow Application Instructions: Carefully read the application instructions provided in the job description. Ensure that you use the cover letter section of the online application to describe how you meet the competencies for the role, as this will be critical for your assessment.
How to prepare for a job interview at GlaxoSmithKline
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience with Azure Entra ID and Active Directory in detail. Highlight specific projects where you designed, implemented, or managed directory services, and be ready to explain the challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Understand Agile Methodologies
Since the role involves working in a Scrum/SAFe environment, demonstrate your understanding of Agile principles. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with cross-functional teams and adapted to changing requirements in previous projects.
✨Emphasise Security Best Practices
Given the importance of security in this role, be ready to discuss your knowledge of security principles such as least privilege, defence-in-depth, and zero trust. Provide examples of how you've implemented these practices in past roles to enhance directory security.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to face technical scenarios or case studies during the interview. Practice articulating your thought process for troubleshooting directory service issues, and be ready to suggest improvements based on your understanding of IAM systems and their interdependencies.