IAM Authentication Services Product Owner - Vice President

Identity & Access Management - Authentication Services Product Owner

Corporate Title: Vice President

Division: Group CTO

Department: Group Platform Services and Engineering

Location: London, UK (Hybrid)

Company Overview

Nomura is a global financial services group with an integrated network spanning approximately 30 countries and regions. By connecting markets East & West, Nomura services the needs of individuals, institutions, corporates and governments through its three business divisions: Wealth Management, Investment Management, and Wholesale (Global Markets and Investment Banking). Founded in 1925, the firm is built on a tradition of disciplined entrepreneurship, serving clients with creative solutions and considered thought leadership.

Role/Department Overview

We are seeking an experienced Authentication Services and Directory Services Product Owner to lead the strategic development and management of our comprehensive enterprise identity infrastructure. This role will drive the product roadmap for both authentication services and directory services, including Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), Active Directory, LDAP, Single Sign-On (SSO), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and Microsoft Authenticator implementations across hybrid and cloud environments. The Product Owner will work closely with a dedicated Technical Lead who provides deep technical expertise and architectural guidance.

Key Responsibilities

• Product Strategy & Vision: Define and execute integrated product strategy for authentication services and directory infrastructure. Develop comprehensive roadmaps that align directory services with authentication and identity management solutions. Drive modernization initiatives from legacy directory services to cloud-first identity platforms. Establish enterprise-wide identity and directory service standards and governance frameworks. Align directory and authentication services with business objectives, security requirements, and digital transformation goals.
• Directory Services Leadership: Own the strategic direction for enterprise directory services architecture and evolution. Partner with Technical Lead to translate business requirements into technical directory service solutions. Drive directory modernization projects including cloud migration and hybrid identity scenarios. Drive directory service standards and data governance policies. Lead directory consolidation, cleanup, and decommissioning projects to reduce technical debt.
• Authentication Services Management: Drive enterprise authentication strategy including passwordless and modern authentication adoption. Collaborate with Tech Lead on Entra ID implementation strategy including conditional access and identity governance. Manage SSO strategy and implementation across enterprise applications and cloud services. Lead MFA deployment strategies and Microsoft Authenticator rollout initiatives. Define authentication business requirements and success criteria for technical implementation.
• Business & Strategic Focus: Work with Tech Lead to ensure technical feasibility of product roadmap initiatives. Translate complex technical solutions into business value propositions and ROI analysis. Coordinate cross-platform identity federation requirements with technical implementation details. Drive business case development for identity infrastructure investments and modernization projects. Manage vendor relationships and contract negotiations while leveraging Tech Lead's technical evaluation.
• Stakeholder Management & Governance: Collaborate with IT security, infrastructure, application development, and business teams. Partner with business units to understand directory and authentication requirements. Work closely with Microsoft and other vendors on product roadmaps and strategic initiatives. Present product updates, ROI analysis, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership. Establish identity governance committees and change management processes.
• Product Development & Operations: Manage integrated product backlog for directory services and authentication initiatives. Define user stories, acceptance criteria, and business success metrics for identity projects. Partner with Tech Lead to ensure technical requirements are properly captured and prioritized. Drive automation initiatives for directory maintenance, user lifecycle, and access management. Coordinate capacity planning and business continuity requirements with technical implementation.
• Performance & Business Outcomes: Establish KPIs and business metrics for directory services and authentication platform success. Monitor business impact of identity infrastructure including user productivity and security posture. Drive continuous improvement initiatives based on business outcomes and user feedback. Manage stakeholder communication during incidents while Tech Lead handles technical resolution. Oversee budget management and cost optimization for identity services.
• Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure directory services and authentication solutions meet regulatory and compliance requirements. Collaborate with security and legal teams on identity-related risk assessments. Drive implementation of governance policies and business process improvements. Manage audit coordination, compliance reporting, and regulatory documentation. Oversee business aspects of privileged access management and administrative delegation models.

Skills, Experience, Qualifications and Knowledge Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• Considerable experience across Identity and Access Management disciplines, including a focus on Authentication solutions.
• Previous experience operating as a Product Owner, driving a backlog of prioritized work.
• Proven experience in working with financial institutions, understanding regulatory compliance, and security requirements.
• Strong knowledge of identity protocols (e.g., SAML, OAuth, OpenID Connect) and enterprise security frameworks.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or CISA are highly desirable.

Nomura Competencies:

• Explore Insights & Vision: Identify the underlying causes of problems faced by you or your team and define a clear vision and direction for the future.
• Making Strategic Decisions: Evaluate all the options for resolving the problems and effectively prioritize actions or recommendations.
• Inspire Entrepreneurship in People: Inspire team members through effective communication of ideas and motivate them to actively enhance productivity.
• Elevate Organizational Capability: Engage proactively in professional development and enhance team productivity through the promotion of knowledge sharing.
• Inclusion: Respect DEI, foster a culture of psychological safety in the workplace and cultivate a 'Risk Culture' (Challenge, Escalate and Respect).

Right to Work: The UK Government has taken steps to reduce net migration to the UK by limiting the number of overseas workers from outside the EEA coming to the UK for employment. Please note that whilst we are able to consider applications from overseas workers from outside the EEA (who require a Tier 2 (General) visa) we can only employ them if we can provide evidence that there are no other suitable candidates for this vacancy from inside the EEA.

Diversity Statement: Nomura is committed to an employment policy of equal opportunities and is fundamentally opposed to any less favourable treatment accorded to existing or potential members of staff on the grounds of race, creed, colour, nationality, disability, marital status, pregnancy, gender or sexual orientation. If you require any assistance or reasonable adjustments due to a disability or long-term health condition, please do not hesitate to contact us. Nomura is an Equal Opportunity Employer.