Senior Identity & Access Engineer

Shape secure, seamless digital access across a modern university!

As IT&D, we help to create the University of the future by co-designing new ways of working, enhancing productivity, reducing complexity, supporting innovation, and providing the insights to drive continual improvement. Embracing a digital future in an evolving modern university, you will be working in partnership with our academic and Professional Services colleagues to deliver digital services that help the University achieve its strategic objectives in teaching and research, nationally & globally.

About the Department

Within IT & Digital, Infrastructure & Operations supports the core technology services that underpin the University's digital environment. Identity and Access Management is central to that foundation: it helps ensure the right people can access the right services, at the right time, while protecting University systems and information.

This role combines specialist technical expertise with ownership of important service improvements and project deliverables. You'll help maintain business-critical identity services while shaping secure, scalable approaches that support the University's evolving needs.

About the Team

You'll report to the Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure Technical Lead and work closely with infrastructure engineers, colleagues across IT & Digital, the Service Management Office, and application business and technical owners. Success depends on sharing expertise, building trusted relationships and bringing people together to solve complex identity challenges.

About the Role

This is an opportunity for an experienced Identity and Access Management (IDAM) specialist to take a technical lead on workstreams that matter. You'll translate business and technical requirements into secure, scalable designs; guide the delivery of identity-related work packages within strategic projects; and continually improve the services that enable staff and students to work, learn and collaborate.

You'll work across identity provider and Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) services, helping strengthen security, resilience and the user lifecycle experience. From developing technical standards and role-based access models to testing integrations, monitoring services and managing risks, you'll combine hands-on engineering with collaborative technical leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Lead IDAM design activities and technical work packages for strategic projects and continuous improvement initiatives, taking ownership of plans, deliverables, quality and timescales.

Develop secure, scalable technical designs that translate University requirements into effective identity solutions and align with enterprise and solution architectures.

Contribute to identity provider and Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) services, strengthening the security and resilience of University systems.

Develop and promote technical patterns, standards and guidance, including Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) policies, models and guidelines aligned with University needs and security best practice.

Review and improve identity and user lifecycle management processes to support a secure, consistent and positive user experience.

Plan and execute end-to-end test plans and test cases to verify IDAM tools, systems and integrations; maintain clear, appropriate technical documentation.

Proactively monitor identity infrastructure, maintain service documentation and identify issues before they affect students or staff.

Build effective relationships with stakeholders and application owners, clarify requirements, manage expectations and communicate progress, risks and issues in a timely way.

Support service enhancement and ITIL-aligned Incident, Problem and Change Management, working with the Service Management Office to improve service delivery and process integration.

Horizon-scan identity and security trends, assess emerging technologies and make informed recommendations to senior colleagues.

Key Skills & Experiences

We're looking for someone who can combine deep technical knowledge with the confidence to lead complex workstreams and bring stakeholders with them.

Extensive knowledge and practical experience of IDAM tools and principles, such as single sign-on (SSO), federation, multi-factor authentication (MFA), OpenLDAP, Shibboleth, Active Directory, identity lifecycle management, authentication and authorisation, RBAC, privileged access management (PAM), risk-based authentication and access reviews.

Experience providing technical direction on strategic, large or complex security and/or identity and access management projects.

A track record of leading technical design activities and taking responsibility for IDAM solutions that are compatible with enterprise and solution architectures.

Ability to work with technical and non-technical stakeholders to understand requirements, manage expectations and keep people informed of progress.

Strong identity and security fundamentals, with a structured approach to design, documentation, testing, risk management and continuous improvement.

Experience working in a structured IT service management environment, including incident, change and problem management.

Ability to select and apply appropriate design methods and tools, using plan-driven or iterative/agile approaches as appropriate.

A customer-focused approach, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish productive relationships across diverse teams.

To learn more about this exciting opportunity and benefits we offer, please read the JD and Candidate Pack provided below.

Application & Assessment

To apply, submit your CV and supporting statement outlining how best you met the criteria, via our online portal. Please note applications received without a supporting statement will not be considered.

Assessment will include a competency-based interview round, and interviews will be held in the w/c 23 November.

Due to the volume of applications, we receive, we sometimes close our vacancies early. It is therefore advisable to apply as early as possible if you would like to be considered for a role.

For informal enquiries about this vacancy, please contact Ian Rushworth on [email protected]

If you would like to join our people and share our ambition, we would love to hear from you!

Further information

Manchester Metropolitan University fosters an inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We value a diverse workforce for the innovation and diversity of thought it brings and welcome applications from all local and international communities, including Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

We support a range of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and tailored schedules, which can be discussed with your line manager. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in your role, please let us know so we can provide appropriate support.

Our commitment to inclusivity includes mentoring programmes, accessibility resources, and professional development opportunities to empower and support underrepresented groups.

Manchester Met is a Disability Confident Leader and, under this scheme, aims to offer an interview to disabled people who apply for the role and meet the essential criteria as listed in the attached Job Description for that vacancy. This vacancy is expected to attract a high volume of applications. Therefore, under the Disability Confident Scheme, only disabled people who apply under the scheme and best meet the essential criteria will be offered an interview.

Details

Location:

Manchester All Saints Campus

Faculty / Function:

IT & Digital

Salary:

Competitive

Closing Date:

8 November 2026

Contract Type:

Permanent

Contracted Hours per week:

37

Benefits

• 35 days leave + Christmas closure + Bank holidays
• Travel loan
• Wellbeing platform
• Life insurance
• Access to Campus Facilities
• Enhanced parental leave
• High-quality guaranteed pension
• Hybrid working opportunities
• Meet the recruiter

### Neha Phanse

[email protected]