At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and modernise identity services and access management across a complex enterprise.
- Company: Join a dynamic organisation focused on innovative IAM transformation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a high-profile transformation programme with autonomy to drive change.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on IAM services and shape the future of access management.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in IAM leadership and strong technical expertise.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
- Interim Head of Identity & Access Management (IAM) Interim
- Overview
- We're looking for an experienced
Interim Head of Identity & Access Management to lead a critical programme focused on modernising identity services, access management, and Joiner-Mover-Leaver (JML) processes across a complex enterprise environment.
This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can provide both strategic direction and operational oversight, ensuring IAM services remain secure, compliant, scalable, and user-friendly.
You'll work across Security, Infrastructure, HR and Technology teams to drive improvements in automation, self-service capabilities, governance, and service performance.
The successful candidate will quickly establish credibility, bring structure to complex challenges, and deliver tangible improvements across the IAM landscape.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead IAM Operations
- Take ownership of day-to-day IAM service delivery, including identity lifecycle management, access requests, provisioning and fulfilment processes.
- Ensure IAM services operate effectively, with a strong focus on user experience, security and operational excellence
- Drive Service Stability & Performance
- Provide leadership across core IAM platforms and supporting technologies, including SSO, MFA, directories, ITSM workflows, HR systems and application integrations.
- Maintain high levels of service availability, resilience and performance.
- Lead IAM governance activities and support internal and external audit requirements.
- Ensure controls are operating effectively through recertification programmes, evidence collection, remediation tracking and continuous compliance improvements.
- Maintain a strong focus on access-related risk management.
- Automation & Transformation
- Develop and implement an automation-first approach to IAM operations.
- Identify opportunities to reduce manual effort, eliminate recurring issues and improve operational efficiency.
- Drive standardisation and process optimisation across the IAM estate
- Enhance Self‑Service Capabilities
- Expand self-service offerings for colleagues and end users, including access requests, automated approvals, MFA recovery and account management processes.
- Reduce dependency on Service Desk teams while improving user satisfaction.
- Oversee the risk posture of IAM services, addressing areas such as privileged access, segregation of duties, access certification, mis-provisioning and non-human identities.
- Ensure appropriate controls and monitoring are in place.
- Establish effective service monitoring, alerting and reporting.
- Lead major incident response and post-incident reviews.
- Drive root cause analysis and permanent resolution of recurring issues.
- Stakeholder Leadership
- Act as the senior IAM lead across Technology and business functions.
- Build strong relationships with Security, Infrastructure, HR, Enterprise Applications and key business stakeholders.
- Provide clear and concise updates to senior leadership on progress, risks and priorities.
What We're Looking For
Experience
- Significant experience leading Identity & Access Management functions within large, complex organisations.
- Previous experience operating at Head of IAM, IAM Lead, Identity Operations Lead or similar level.
- Track record of delivering IAM improvements within enterprise-scale environments.
- Experience managing teams, suppliers and third-party service partners.
- Strong background in service delivery, governance, operational improvement and access management controls.
- Technical Expertise
• Strong working knowledge of IAM technologies such as
- Okta
- Identity Governance & Administration (IGA) platforms
- SSO and MFA solutions
- Privileged Access Management (PAM)
• Good understanding of
- Joiner-Mover-Leaver processes
- RBAC and ABAC models
- Identity governance and entitlement management
- Application onboarding and integration using APIs, REST, SCIM and related frameworks
- Zero Trust security principles
- Operational Leadership
- Strong ITSM knowledge covering Incident, Problem and Change Management.
- Experience defining and managing service performance through SLAs, KPIs and operational reporting.
- Demonstrated success delivering automation, self-service and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Key Skills & Personal Attributes
- Pragmatic and delivery-focused leader.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
- Calm, decisive and effective in complex environments.
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical capability.
- Risk-aware with a strong understanding of governance and control frameworks.
- Comfortable operating at both strategic and hands-on levels.
- Data-driven approach to decision-making and service improvement.
- Able to quickly assess challenges, prioritise actions and deliver results.
Why This Role?
This is an opportunity to make an immediate impact on a high-profile IAM transformation programme.
You'll have the autonomy to shape the operating model, improve service performance, strengthen governance, and leave a lasting legacy across the organisation's identity and access management capability.
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Head of Identity employer: Mentmore
Join a forward-thinking organisation that values innovation and collaboration, where your role as a Commercial Finance Manager will directly impact the company's growth trajectory. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will benefit from a dynamic work culture that encourages curiosity and operational excellence, alongside opportunities for professional advancement in a multi-entity environment. Located in the UK, this role offers the unique advantage of being part of a diverse portfolio of businesses, all while contributing to a transformative finance function that prioritises strategic decision-making and financial governance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Identity
✨Get Involved in the Cybersecurity Community
Diving into the cybersecurity community is key for landing that full-time gig. Join forums like Reddit's r/cybersecurity or attend local meetups to connect with industry veterans and other job seekers. Networking is everything in this field—don’t just be a passive lurker!
✨Show Off Your Skills with Capture the Flag Competitions
Participate in Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions; these are not just a fun way to boost your skills but also a chance to showcase your talent to potential employers. Many companies, including Mentmore, love seeing candidates who actively engage in these challenges.
✨Tailor Your Online Presence
Make sure your LinkedIn and any professional profiles reflect your cybersecurity expertise. Share your projects, whether they’re personal or from a previous role, to catch the eye of hiring managers. This is how they’ll find your passion and commitment to the field!
✨Apply Directly Through Mentmore
Don’t forget to head straight to our website and check out any openings for cybersecurity roles at Mentmore. Applying directly can sometimes give you an edge, especially if you can mention that you've been following our work or engaging in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Identity
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your technical skills:In cybersecurity, it's crucial to highlight your technical prowess. Make sure your CV showcases specific skills like network security, penetration testing, or threat analysis. If you have relevant certifications (like CEH or CISSP), pop those on the front page to grab attention!
Tailor your portfolio for the role:Even for a full-time role, a portfolio can set you apart. If you've worked on any cybersecurity projects—be it CTF challenges, security assessments, or research papers—include these in your application. This demonstrates not just your skills, but also your hands-on experience!
Use real-world examples:When writing your cover letter, don’t just stick to your qualifications. Share real-world examples of how you’ve tackled security issues or vulnerabilities. This gives the hiring team at Mentmore insight into your practical problem-solving abilities and makes your application memorable.
Demonstrate your passion for cybersecurity:Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, so show us that you’re always learning! Mention any recent courses, webinars, or industry events you’ve attended. This not only exhibits your enthusiasm but also signals to Mentmore that you’re committed to staying ahead in the game.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mentmore
✨Sharpen Your Technical Skills
For a role in cybersecurity, it’s essential to be up-to-date with the latest tools and techniques. Brush up on your knowledge of firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and vulnerability assessment tools. Be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you’ve applied these skills, as hands-on experience can really set us apart in interviews.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect the interviewers at Mentmore to throw in some hypothetical situations to see how you’d handle them. Think about common security breaches or incidents and be prepared to explain how you would respond. This not only shows your problem-solving skills but also your understanding of real-world cybersecurity challenges.
✨Highlight Your Certifications
Certifications like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CEH can give you a significant edge in a full-time role in cybersecurity. Make sure to mention these during your interview and be prepared to discuss what you learned through those certifications and how they relate to the position at Mentmore.
✨Show Your Passion for Cybersecurity
Since you’re going for a full-time gig, showing genuine enthusiasm for the field can make all the difference. Share any personal projects, blogs, or communities you’re part of that relate to cybersecurity. This not only showcases your passion but also your commitment to staying engaged in this ever-evolving field.
