University of Southern California
Director, Enterprise Identity and Access Management
University of Southern California, Glendale, California, us, 91222
Director, Enterprise Identity and Access Management
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Information Technology Services
ITS
Los Angeles, California
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT The University of Southern California (USC) is advancing its cybersecurity posture with a renewed focus on resilience, cyber risk management, and threat-informed defense. As a world-class research institution, USC is building a culture of security that supports its academic and research mission in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.
This role sits within a newly restructured cybersecurity organization that is leading this transformation. You\'ll join a team focused on scalable, proactive defense strategies, incident preparedness, and operational excellence—working alongside experts who are deeply committed to service, innovation, and impact.
If you\'re driven by purpose, thrive in complexity, and want to help shape the future of cybersecurity at a leading university, we invite you to bring your leadership to the table.
POSITION SUMMARY As the
Director, Enterprise Identity and Access Management , you will be an integral leader of the cybersecurity department while also collaborating with stakeholders across the university ecosystem and reporting to the Chief Information Security Officer. This is a full-time exempt position, eligible for USC\'s benefits + perks. This opportunity is hybrid.
The Director, Enterprise Identity and Access Management is responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive identity and access management strategy that integrates Zero Trust principles, extends identity governance to both human and non-human actors, and supports the university\'s mission of innovation, security and operational excellence. Drives IAM initiatives that safeguard institutional assets, streamline access experiences, and enable a secure digital transformation for faculty, staff, students, and partners. Works collaboratively across all university departments to ensure that IAM technologies align with academic, research and operational needs while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.
The Director, Enterprise Identity and Access Management will:
Develop and implement a forward-thinking IAM strategy that aligns with the university\'s technology and cybersecurity goals. Drive adoption of modern IAM principles such as Zero Trust and identity decentralization to secure access across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Lead the university\'s IAM program to maturity across CISA\'s Zero Trust pillars (identity, device, network, application, data). Maintain professional currency. Advocate for innovative solutions. Participate in industry forums, conferences, and professional publications. Serve as an advisor to senior leadership on IAM trends and innovations, threat mitigation strategies related to access control, and ensuring alignment with institutional goals.
Lead the deployment of advanced IAM technologies (e.g., AI-driven access controls, adaptive authentication) with seamless integration into cloud-native, mobile, IoT, and multi-cloud platforms. Ensure IAM systems enable digital transformation initiatives, secure collaboration with external partners, and support academic, research, and administrative resource access.
Oversee the lifecycle of digital identities (provisioning, de-provisioning, role-based access control) for joiners, movers, leavers (JML) and non-human identities across systems, ensuring accurate and secure access management. Develop metrics and dashboards to monitor IAM performance, assess program effectiveness, and drive continuous improvement.
Develop and enforce IAM policies that comply with regulatory standards (e.g., FERPA, HIPAA, GDPR). Conduct risk assessments and establish incident response protocols for IAM-related vulnerabilities.
Partner with academic and operational units to identify IAM needs, deliver tailored solutions, and represent the university on internal and external committees. Lead and mentor IAM professionals. Oversee workforce planning.
Ensure the recruitment, training, and professional development of staff. Manage the IAM budget. Oversee vendor relationships, contracts, and SLAs to deliver high-quality IAM solutions.
Accountable for all aspects of staff management (hiring, coaching, training, performance reviews, pay actions, promotions) within the Enterprise Identity and Access Management organization. Provide technical leadership and mentorship to ensure a high-performing team.
Encourage a workplace culture where all employees are valued, contribute through their ideas, and adhere to USC\'s Code of Ethics.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
10 years in Identity and Access Management.
Bachelor\'s degree in information science or cyber security or related field, with combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.
Proven track record of developing and implementing IAM strategies aligned with Zero Trust and modern identity principles.
Expertise in advanced IAM technologies (e.g., AI-driven access controls, adaptive authentication, and seamless integration with multi-cloud and hybrid environments).
Demonstrated experience implementing Zero Trust IAM strategies and advanced access governance.
Strong understanding of regulatory standards and the ability to enforce compliant IAM policies.
Experience in managing the full lifecycle of digital identities (provisioning, de-provisioning, RBAC).
Demonstrated success in building metrics and dashboards for assessing IAM performance and program effectiveness.
Excellent leadership and mentorship skills. Financial acumen. Demonstrated strong collaboration skills.
A CISSP, GIAC, CISM, or similar certification.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Master\'s degree in information science or cyber security or related field.
Experience in higher education, research computing, or healthcare environments.
Familiarity with non-human identity (NHI) management and secrets lifecycle tools (e.g., HashiCorp, Astrix).
Knowledge of ITDR platforms and integration with SOC/SIEM tooling.
Relevant cybersecurity certifications, such as CISSP, CISM, or similar.
SALARY AND BENEFITS The annual base salary range for this position is $220,358.05 to $268,851.50. When extending an offer of employment, USC considers factors such as scope and responsibilities, candidate experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, applicable laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, and market considerations.
USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of perks to help protect health, wealth, and future. Learn more about USC\'s comprehensive benefits here.
Join the USC cybersecurity team within an environment of innovation and excellence.
Minimum Education: Bachelor\'s degree in Information Science or Cyber Security or related field(s). Minimum Certifications: CISSP, GIAC, CISM, etc. Minimum Experience: 10 years in Identity and Access Management. Minimum Skills: See above. Preferred Education: Master\'s degree. Preferred Certifications: CISSP, CISM, or similar. Preferred Skills: Experience in higher education, research computing or healthcare environments. Familiarity with NHI management and secrets tools. Knowledge of ITDR and SOC/SIEM tooling.
REQ20164616 Posted Date: 10/13/2025
#J-18808-Ljbffr
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT The University of Southern California (USC) is advancing its cybersecurity posture with a renewed focus on resilience, cyber risk management, and threat-informed defense. As a world-class research institution, USC is building a culture of security that supports its academic and research mission in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.
This role sits within a newly restructured cybersecurity organization that is leading this transformation. You\'ll join a team focused on scalable, proactive defense strategies, incident preparedness, and operational excellence—working alongside experts who are deeply committed to service, innovation, and impact.
If you\'re driven by purpose, thrive in complexity, and want to help shape the future of cybersecurity at a leading university, we invite you to bring your leadership to the table.
POSITION SUMMARY As the
Director, Enterprise Identity and Access Management , you will be an integral leader of the cybersecurity department while also collaborating with stakeholders across the university ecosystem and reporting to the Chief Information Security Officer. This is a full-time exempt position, eligible for USC\'s benefits + perks. This opportunity is hybrid.
The Director, Enterprise Identity and Access Management is responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive identity and access management strategy that integrates Zero Trust principles, extends identity governance to both human and non-human actors, and supports the university\'s mission of innovation, security and operational excellence. Drives IAM initiatives that safeguard institutional assets, streamline access experiences, and enable a secure digital transformation for faculty, staff, students, and partners. Works collaboratively across all university departments to ensure that IAM technologies align with academic, research and operational needs while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.
The Director, Enterprise Identity and Access Management will:
Develop and implement a forward-thinking IAM strategy that aligns with the university\'s technology and cybersecurity goals. Drive adoption of modern IAM principles such as Zero Trust and identity decentralization to secure access across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Lead the university\'s IAM program to maturity across CISA\'s Zero Trust pillars (identity, device, network, application, data). Maintain professional currency. Advocate for innovative solutions. Participate in industry forums, conferences, and professional publications. Serve as an advisor to senior leadership on IAM trends and innovations, threat mitigation strategies related to access control, and ensuring alignment with institutional goals.
Lead the deployment of advanced IAM technologies (e.g., AI-driven access controls, adaptive authentication) with seamless integration into cloud-native, mobile, IoT, and multi-cloud platforms. Ensure IAM systems enable digital transformation initiatives, secure collaboration with external partners, and support academic, research, and administrative resource access.
Oversee the lifecycle of digital identities (provisioning, de-provisioning, role-based access control) for joiners, movers, leavers (JML) and non-human identities across systems, ensuring accurate and secure access management. Develop metrics and dashboards to monitor IAM performance, assess program effectiveness, and drive continuous improvement.
Develop and enforce IAM policies that comply with regulatory standards (e.g., FERPA, HIPAA, GDPR). Conduct risk assessments and establish incident response protocols for IAM-related vulnerabilities.
Partner with academic and operational units to identify IAM needs, deliver tailored solutions, and represent the university on internal and external committees. Lead and mentor IAM professionals. Oversee workforce planning.
Ensure the recruitment, training, and professional development of staff. Manage the IAM budget. Oversee vendor relationships, contracts, and SLAs to deliver high-quality IAM solutions.
Accountable for all aspects of staff management (hiring, coaching, training, performance reviews, pay actions, promotions) within the Enterprise Identity and Access Management organization. Provide technical leadership and mentorship to ensure a high-performing team.
Encourage a workplace culture where all employees are valued, contribute through their ideas, and adhere to USC\'s Code of Ethics.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
10 years in Identity and Access Management.
Bachelor\'s degree in information science or cyber security or related field, with combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.
Proven track record of developing and implementing IAM strategies aligned with Zero Trust and modern identity principles.
Expertise in advanced IAM technologies (e.g., AI-driven access controls, adaptive authentication, and seamless integration with multi-cloud and hybrid environments).
Demonstrated experience implementing Zero Trust IAM strategies and advanced access governance.
Strong understanding of regulatory standards and the ability to enforce compliant IAM policies.
Experience in managing the full lifecycle of digital identities (provisioning, de-provisioning, RBAC).
Demonstrated success in building metrics and dashboards for assessing IAM performance and program effectiveness.
Excellent leadership and mentorship skills. Financial acumen. Demonstrated strong collaboration skills.
A CISSP, GIAC, CISM, or similar certification.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Master\'s degree in information science or cyber security or related field.
Experience in higher education, research computing, or healthcare environments.
Familiarity with non-human identity (NHI) management and secrets lifecycle tools (e.g., HashiCorp, Astrix).
Knowledge of ITDR platforms and integration with SOC/SIEM tooling.
Relevant cybersecurity certifications, such as CISSP, CISM, or similar.
SALARY AND BENEFITS The annual base salary range for this position is $220,358.05 to $268,851.50. When extending an offer of employment, USC considers factors such as scope and responsibilities, candidate experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, applicable laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, and market considerations.
USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of perks to help protect health, wealth, and future. Learn more about USC\'s comprehensive benefits here.
Join the USC cybersecurity team within an environment of innovation and excellence.
Minimum Education: Bachelor\'s degree in Information Science or Cyber Security or related field(s). Minimum Certifications: CISSP, GIAC, CISM, etc. Minimum Experience: 10 years in Identity and Access Management. Minimum Skills: See above. Preferred Education: Master\'s degree. Preferred Certifications: CISSP, CISM, or similar. Preferred Skills: Experience in higher education, research computing or healthcare environments. Familiarity with NHI management and secrets tools. Knowledge of ITDR and SOC/SIEM tooling.
REQ20164616 Posted Date: 10/13/2025
#J-18808-Ljbffr