Identity Operations Lead in Bradford

Are you an identity specialist ready to lead and evolve secure, modern identity services? We’re looking for an Identity Operations Lead to drive the performance, security and continued development of our identity platforms, ensuring seamless and secure access across our hybrid and cloud environments. This is an excellent opportunity to combine technical leadership with strategic impact, working at the heart of our technology and security landscape. This is a hybrid role, a mix of working from home plus time in our central Leeds & Bradford offices.

As our Identity Operations Lead, you’ll provide technical leadership to the Identity Operations team, working closely with our Managed Service Provider (MSP) to ensure the secure, reliable and compliant delivery of identity services as well as with our Identity and Access Management function in Information Security. You’ll oversee the day‑to‑day operation, stability and security of our hybrid identity estate, spanning Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID, Single Sign On and Multi Factor Authentication while supporting the organisation’s cloud and modern workplace strategy.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the blended Identity Operations team driving capability and continuous improvement whilst maintaining alignment with controls and standards across both internal and partner resources.
• Oversee the operation and maintenance of Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID across hybrid environments.
• Ensure secure provisioning and governance of user, device and application identities with enforced governance and access controls.
• Operate authentication controls, including MFA, Conditional Access and Federation with external resources.
• Maintain hybrid identity synchronisation (e.g. Entra Connect), resolving sync and identity drift issues.
• Support application integrations, including SSO, app registrations and third‑party access.
• Oversee L2 /L3 support for identity‑related incidents, problems and changes.
• Ensure monitoring, logging and audit capabilities are in place to support compliance and assurance.

You’re an experienced identity professional with strong technical expertise and a proven ability to lead teams in a rapidly evolving environment. You bring a balance of hands‑on knowledge and strategic thinking, with a focus on delivering secure and effective identity services. You’ll have:

• Strong knowledge of Active Directory and hybrid identity environments.
• Experience administering Microsoft Entra ID in a corporate setting.
• Understanding of identity security, including MFA, Conditional Access and related policies.
• Experience leading and developing technical teams through change and transformation.
• Strong supplier management skills, driving service quality, efficiencies and cost improvements.
• Experience contributing to financial planning and budget activity.
• The ability to provide technical leadership, influence stakeholders and drive business outcomes.
• A collaborative, continuous improvement mindset.

At YBS we don’t have shareholders, we have members. We care about people and that includes you. So here, you’ll be respected for who you are, you’ll be able to bring your whole self to work, and you’ll have everything you need to build a long and rewarding career.

We offer a range of flexible working options without unsocial hours, which can help you find a healthy work‑life balance. Whether it’s finishing early for an appointment or fitting your studies and hobbies in around your working hours, we can help make it work for you. We’re happy to talk flexible working and you can reach out to us anytime during the recruitment process to discuss this.

We want you to feel challenged here. Whatever your ambitions, we’re committed to helping you develop your skills and move ahead in your career journey. From day one, we’ll set you up for success with a brilliant induction and full training plan, all designed to get you up to speed quickly.

We’re passionate about creating an inclusive environment where everyone is welcome and able to be themselves. If you’ll go the extra mile to help our members, you’ll fit right in and feel you belong here.

We offer lots of fantastic rewards that you can make the most of in and out of work, including:

• Holiday: You’ll get 25 days plus Bank Holidays, as well as the option to buy up to a further 5 days.
• Bonus: At YBS we work collaboratively and share in our success together, so when we reach our goals we’re all rewarded with an on target bonus of 7% of eligible pay (with the opportunity to earn up to a maximum 15%).
• Pension: We know how important it is to save towards the future, that’s why we’ll contribute up to 11% into your YBS pension.
• Healthcare: Health and wellbeing are an important part of life at YBS, when you join us you’ll have access to a range of health benefits to suit your life including private medical insurance, dental and healthcare plans.
• My Benefits: When you join YBS you’ll have access to our self‑service benefits portal, where you can access a range of retail, hospitality and health discounts.

If you’re excited about this role and want to be part of the YBS team, apply now to send us your application.

If you have any questions about this role, please contact Mike Peel on careers@ybs.co.u.