At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and operation of Halfords' identity platform, ensuring security and reliability.
- Company: Join Halfords, a forward-thinking company shaping the future of motoring and cycling.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, car allowance, hybrid working, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to wellbeing and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by modernising identity services at an enterprise scale.
- Qualifications: Experience with Microsoft Entra ID, Active Directory, and managing identity platforms required.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 71500 £ per year.
About us
Halfords is on a journey - building the future of motoring and cycling and looking for people who want to help shape what comes next. We’re a place for cocreators: people who want to make a real impact, take ownership and be part of something that’s still evolving. Technology at Halfords is at a turning point. We’re modernising our foundations, sharpening our delivery, and ensuring every technology decision is connected to real commercial and customer outcomes. We're looking for people who act as trusted advisors to the business, take end-to-end accountability for outcomes, and can balance pace with long-term architectural integrity. Innovation here means practical, scalable solutions, not ideas that stay on whiteboards.
Halfords operates a hybrid working policy – this position will be based 3 days per week at our support centre in Redditch, West Midlands.
About the role
As an Identity Platform Lead, you'll take full ownership of Halfords' identity and directory platform, ensuring it remains secure, reliable, and capable of supporting a modern, cloud-first technology estate. This is a hands‑on technical leadership role, focused on the day-to-day operation, design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the platform, where you'll be the go‑to expert for Microsoft Entra ID and Active Directory, owning the platform end-to-end. Day to day, you'll lead the development and enhancement of key identity technologies including Entra ID, Active Directory, Privileged Access Management (PAM), Identity Governance & Administration (IGA), and associated tooling. Working closely with our engineering partners, you'll set the direction for how the platform evolves, oversee delivery, and ensure services are performing as expected. While delivery is carried out by third-party partners, ownership sits firmly with you. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of identity at Halfords. Significant investment is being made in the platform, creating the opportunity to re‑engineer and modernise core identity services at enterprise scale. If you enjoy owning platforms, driving technical improvements, and being recognised as the subject matter expert in your field, you'll have the autonomy and support to make a substantial impact from day one.
Key responsibilities
- Own the technical design, configuration, implementation, and ongoing operation of Microsoft Entra ID and Active Directory across the organisation.
- Drive the deployment and adoption of identity technologies including PAM, IGA, Conditional Access, PIM, and enterprise authentication solutions.
- Lead the continuous improvement of the identity platform, expanding integrations across applications and services throughout the business.
- Manage and hold third‑party service providers accountable for platform performance, service quality, security, and delivery outcomes.
- Oversee enterprise application integrations and Single Sign-On capabilities, ensuring services are implemented consistently and securely.
- Maintain identity governance controls, access management processes, and audit‑ready evidence across the platform.
- Work closely with Infrastructure, Security, and Digital Identity teams to ensure identity services remain reliable, secure, and aligned to business requirements.
About you
- Strong hands‑on experience with Microsoft Entra ID, including Conditional Access, PIM, Identity Governance, application registrations, and enterprise SSO integrations.
- Proven experience administering and supporting Active Directory in a complex enterprise environment.
- Experience with CyberArk or similar Privileged Access Management solutions.
- Demonstrable experience owning and managing enterprise identity platforms, including implementation, optimisation, and ongoing support.
- Experience leading outsourced engineering teams or managed service providers, with the ability to influence, challenge, and drive performance without direct line management responsibility.
- Strong technical leadership skills, capable of taking ownership, making decisions, and acting as the recognised expert for the platform.
- Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and stakeholders simultaneously.
A fair and competitive salary evaluated against market data, car allowance, annual discretionary bonus scheme, pension, life assurance, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and enhanced family leave. Commitment and dedication to your ongoing personal and professional development. We help you to own and grow your potential so you can be at your best in your current role and to support your future career aspirations. We offer hybrid working with a blend of working in our Support Centre and from home. You will have access to a wealth of employee discounts across the Halfords suite of products and services. Wellbeing and inclusion are at the heart of our colleague experience. We offer resources and ongoing support to enhance your wellbeing at work and active Colleague Networks supporting inclusion initiatives across Halfords.
Not sure you meet all the criteria? We'd encourage you to take the wheel and apply anyway! At Halfords we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for our colleagues. We're an equal opportunities employer and proud to welcome applications from all backgrounds and embrace diversity within our one Halfords Family.
Identity Platform Lead in Redditch employer: Halfords Group PLC
Halfords Group PLC is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Lincolnshire where you can develop your skills in vehicle servicing while delivering outstanding customer service. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide comprehensive training and flexible part-time hours, making it an ideal opportunity for those seeking meaningful work in the motoring retail sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Identity Platform Lead in Redditch
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Halfords Group PLC values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Halfords Group PLC might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Halfords Group PLC!
✨Direct Apply to Halfords Group PLC
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We think you need these skills to ace Identity Platform Lead in Redditch
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Halfords Group PLC.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Halfords Group PLC. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Halfords Group PLC
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
