At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the strategic direction of workforce authentication services and drive passwordless technology.
- Company: Join State Street, a global leader in cybersecurity and financial services.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and flexible work-life support.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to fostering an inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cybersecurity while leading innovative authentication solutions.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in tech/security roles with strong leadership in authentication engineering.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
Global Cybersecurity (GCS) protects State Street and its clients from the impact of cyber-attacks against systems by understanding the risks these attacks present and mitigating them through a robust, continuously evolving cybersecurity program and control environment.
The Head of Workforce Authentication Services, MD will lead the strategic direction, engineering, operations and compliance posture of all workforce authentication platforms at State Street. This role consolidates capabilities currently distributed across two towers into a single, accountable engineering and operations leadership role.
The successful candidate will also serve as the engineering leader for the Workforce Passwordless program, owning the end-to-end technical execution and the elimination of password-dependent authentication protocols across the enterprise.
Scope of Platforms and Services
The role owns engineering, operations, resilience and compliance for the workforce authentication platform stack, including but not limited to:
- Directory & Identity Plane: Active Directory (on-premises forests, domain controllers, Kerberos, Group Policy), Microsoft Entra ID, Entra Connect, Cloud Kerberos Trust, Conditional Access
- Federation & SSO: Identity Providers, SAML/OIDC federation, SSO onboarding intake and engineering
- Strong Authentication & MFA: MFA systems, FIDO2, MFA compliance reporting and exception management
- Passwordless Program (Workforce): Engineering leadership across the full passwordless roadmap — vendor assessments, CA policy design, OS/endpoint integration and other touch points in the technology stack.
- Resilience & Operations: 24x7 run of authentication services, DR/BCP, capacity, patching, DC exit programs, vulnerability and pen-test finding remediation across the authentication estate
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and execute a single, unified Workforce Authentication strategy that consolidates all authentication services into one engineering and operations function with one accountable leader.
- Define the multi-year target architecture for authentication aligned to State Street's Technology and Security strategies.
- Partner with the Heads of CIAM, Privileged & Infrastructure Access, IGA, and IAM Oversight to ensure a coherent, end-to-end IAM operating model.
Engineering Leadership – Workforce Passwordless
- Serve as the engineering owner of the Workforce Passwordless program, accountable for delivery against EC-committed milestones and the financial plan.
- Lead the technical design and rollout of supporting technologies required to enable transition to passwordless authentication.
- Drive vendor and product assessments and lead comparative POCs aligned to State Street use cases.
Standards, Compliance & Lines of Defence
- Own the Authentication compliance with IAM Standard (Account Authentication, Password Parameters, MFA, Federation/SSO, Session Management) and ensure alignment to NIST SP 800-53, NIST SP 800-63B, DORA, BAIT, UK PRA SS1/21, MAS TRM, HKMA SPM and APRA CPS 234.
- Support assurance compliance with the Second Line of Defence (Technology Risk Management), Third Line (Corporate Audit) and External Auditors (E&Y) — including evidence ownership, RCSA control mapping, and finding remediation.
- Provide support and data for compliance management across the workforce authentication environment: control design, control testing readiness, KRI/KPI reporting to the IAM Governance Council, Cybersecurity Risk Committee (CRC) and Technology Risk Committee (TRC).
Remediation & Audit/Pen-Test Findings
- Own end-to-end remediation of all audit, regulatory and penetration-test findings affecting workforce authentication.
Resilience & Operations of Critical Systems
- Accountable for the availability, performance and resilience of Tier-0 authentication services including DR posture, recovery testing, capacity management, and major-incident command for authentication outages.
- Own the operational interface for Authentication Services with key partners including End User Computing, Platform Engineering, Production Management, Network and the regional IT heads.
People & Operating Model
- Lead a globally distributed team; evolve the operating model in line with the IAM portfolio management framework.
- Drive talent strategy, succession, and a culture of engineering excellence, multi-disciplinary delivery and accountable ownership.
What we value
15+ years in technology / engineering / security roles, with at least 8 years leading large-scale authentication engineering and operations functions ideally in a regulated financial services environment. Deep, hands-on technical depth across Active Directory, Microsoft Entra ID, Kerberos, LDAP, SAML, OIDC, FIDO2/WebAuthn, MFA, and federation platforms. Proven track record of regulator-facing and audit-facing accountability, with the ability to defend control design and enhancement plans to PRA, FCA, DORA, MAS, HKMA, APRA and internal/external audit. Experience operating Tier-0 critical services with strict availability, DR and resilience SLAs.
Education & Preferred Qualifications
Experience consolidating previously siloed identity/authentication towers into a single accountable function. Experience leading globally distributed teams across US, EMEA and India. Bachelors Degree in Cyber Security or related technical discipline.
Salary Range: $170,000 - $282,500 Annual
Employees are eligible to participate in State Street’s comprehensive benefits program, which includes: our retirement savings plan (401K) with company match; insurance coverage including basic life, medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, and other optional additional coverages; paid-time off including vacation, sick leave, short term disability, and family care responsibilities; access to our Employee Assistance Program; incentive compensation including eligibility for annual performance-based awards (excluding certain sales roles subject to sales incentive plans); and, eligibility for certain tax advantaged savings plans.
About State Street: Across the globe, institutional investors rely on us to help them manage risk, respond to challenges, and drive performance and profitability. We keep our clients at the heart of everything we do, and smart, engaged employees are essential to our continued success. We are committed to fostering an environment where every employee feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential. As an essential partner in our shared success, you’ll benefit from inclusive development opportunities, flexible work-life support, paid volunteer days, and vibrant employee networks that keep you connected to what matters most. Join us in shaping the future.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we consider all qualified applicants for all positions without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, marital status, domestic partnership or civil union status, familial status, military and veteran status, and other characteristics protected by applicable law.
Head of Workforce Authentication Services, MD in London employer: State Street Bank
At State Street, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. As a Principal Threat Modeling Architect, you will have access to inclusive development opportunities, flexible work-life support, and the chance to lead a high-performing team in a hybrid work environment. Our commitment to employee growth and community engagement, alongside our focus on security excellence, makes us an attractive choice for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the financial services sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Workforce Authentication Services, MD in London
✨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 State Street Bank, 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 State Street Bank
Don’t forget to head straight to our website and check out any openings for cybersecurity roles at State Street Bank. 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 Workforce Authentication Services, MD in London
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 State Street Bank 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 State Street Bank that you’re committed to staying ahead in the game.
How to prepare for a job interview at State Street Bank
✨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 State Street Bank 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 State Street Bank.
✨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.
